The Knife Smith’s Grinding House

The Knife Smith’s Grinding House (Knifvesmedens Slijpehuus)

According to the 1696 map, the Knifvesmedens Slijpehuus – the knife smith’s grinding house – was located here.
The image shown is an imagined reconstruction: a simple timber building with a wooden roof, a wooden trough leading water to an undershot waterwheel powering the grindstone inside.

Who Owned the Grinding House?

The 1696 land register mentions two knife smiths in Hjo:

• Anders Andersson Knijfwe Smed, who owned plot no. 28 (now Kyrkogatan 6)

• Jonas Knijwfwe Smedh, on plot no. 63 (now Sandtorget / car park)

Which of them owned the grinding house remains unknown. However, a court record from 1689 includes this statement:

"Nills Peersson at Hammarskvarnen complained about Anders Andersson Knivsmed, who had accused him of being a thief."

Since the Hammar Mill and the grinding house were located close together, this may suggest that it was Anders Andersson who owned the facility.

A Site of Longstanding Craft and Industry

Much has changed on this site since 1696. Visible remains in the river still hint at older structures – large, hewn stones on both riverbanks and remnants of a dry-stone wall along the northern side.

In the 1860s, this was the site of a foundry and workshop later known as Hjo Mekaniska Verkstad (HMV).
In 1916, the original factory burned down and a new one was built further upstream, along Strömsdalsvägen. The company remained in operation until 1989.

All in all, this spot likely hosted an unbroken tradition of industry from the knife smith’s grinding house in the 1600s, through to the early 20th century.

Follow the Nature Trail

The nature reserve is a green oasis in the heart of the town, offering wonderful outdoor experiences all year round. Follow the Nature Trail along the Hjo River, from Hjo Harbour all the way up to the small lake Mullsjön, just west of the town.
This lush and leafy path takes you on a historic walk through wild landscapes, rich in birdlife – right in the middle of Hjo.

You can easily find the trail by following the wooden signs marked “NATURSTIGEN” along the river.
The full walk is approximately 4 km, from Hjo Harbour to Stämmorna at Lake Mullsjön.

Trail Information

• Waymarking: Clearly marked nature trail with wooden signs: "NATURSTIG"

• Length: Approx. 4 kilometres

• Food along the trail: YES – restaurant Stampens Kvarn

• Toilets: Dry toilet at Stämmorna, Mullsjön

• Open: Year-round

• Managed by: Hjo Municipality

• Protected area: Part of the EU’s ecological network of protected areas, Natura 2000