Southeast Portland-based Trust Co, a new outdoors brand specializing in restoring vintage axe heads and hand-crafting axe handles, is opening its doors to the public on September 6. 

The free event, called Steel + Ink, will feature the work of five Portland tattoo artists who have each been asked to decorated a Trust axe in their distinct style. There will also be food, beer, and other art in the UNION/PINE event space. 

Why tattoos and axes? In a press release, co-founder Gene Lee assures us there is a meaningful link between the two. 

"To us, axes and tattoos have a lot in common: danger, sharp edges, American, history... Holding an axe or getting a tattoo is a visceral experience and we want to combine the two." 

Whatever the case, be sure to check out one of Trust's beautiful hickory and steel axes in our camping gear guide. 

Steel + Ink
Sept 6 from 6:00-9:00pm
Union/Pine (525 SE Pine St)