Axe & Awl Leatherworks has grown from a humble garage project into a thriving team of 12 dedicated craftspeople, all committed to upholding the values of quality, tradition, and integrity. Founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife duo Spencer and Courtney Tetrault, the business was born out of a shared love for functional craftsmanship and timeless design. Spencer, a former career firefighter, and Courtney, once a full-time paramedic, brought their frontline experience into every product they designed—especially those trusted by fellow first responders.

In 2020, Courtney’s brother Travis joined full-time, bringing with him a background in woodworking and logistics. Since then, the team has continued to grow, each new member adding skill, care, and energy to the process. With demand rising, the workshop scaled beyond the original downtown retail location and is now housed in a dedicated production warehouse nicknamed “The Cougar,” located just ten minutes from downtown Waynesville. This larger space has allowed the team to increase capacity, expand product offerings, and continue handcrafting leather goods with intention and integrity.

Though our space and team have grown, our mission remains the same: to craft heirloom-quality leather goods that are built to serve, built to last, and built by hand. Every Axe & Awl product is the result of collaboration, hard work, and a shared belief that great gear should be both rugged and meaningful.