In 1890 Lars Hakansson, working for one of the leading steel mills in Sweden as hardening master, got a patent for a new heat treating method. After retirement his son, Gustaf, took over the responsibility for the hardening department and he became a well-known authority in his field. In 1944 he joined his brother, Bror Hakansson, the founder of Hakansson Industries, and a new division was formed - Hakansson Sawblades. The first manufacturer outside of U.S.A. specializing in hardedge flexible back band saw blades. In 1946 Gustaf pioneered hardening of band saw blades with high frequency (induction hardening) and a few years later the True Set Technique™. He was also instrumental in developing milling machines for band saw blades.