WHY THE OCTO SHAPE?
A combination of material science, forestry economics and pragmatic design culture that has long defined Swedish engineering have helped to shape the Octopost.
A spokesperson explained:
“We often get asked why Octoposts are the shape they are. The immediate question is practical: why take a naturally round log and machine it into eight faces instead of leaving it cylindrical or cutting it into a square?
“Flat faces improve how posts interact with staples, hinges, rails – they sit more securely on a flat surface rather than on a curve.
“At the same time, the chamfered edges of an octagon mitigate one of the weaknesses of square posts: sharp corners. Those corners tend to absorb moisture, crack, and degrade faster. By softening the edges, octagonal posts reduce stress where splitting typically begins.
“There is also a handling advantage. Anyone who has worked with fencing knows that round posts roll, often at the worst possible moment. Square posts don’t, but they are heavier for the same effective diameter and less efficient to produce. Octagonal posts strike a balance: they resist rolling during transport and installation while remaining lighter and more material-efficient than their square counterparts.
“It also makes them easier and more stable for transportation, suitable for shipments from Sweden as well as stacking better in stockists’ yard.
“Aesthetics, whilst secondary, are not irrelevant. Swedish design tradition, seen in everything from architecture to furniture, leans toward understated refinement. The octagon introduces a subtle geometry that feels intentional without being visually aggressive. It elevates what is otherwise a purely utilitarian object.
“Ultimately, when you buy an Octopost you know what you’re purchasing. They are all produced from slow-grown Swedish redwood, carefully forested and machined into this unique shape before being kiln dried and pressure treated with the wood preservative Creosote or Tanasote, giving the OCTOPOST a guarantee of 25 years with a life expectancy of 40+ years.”
