To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Making An Axe

slickgt1

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 11, 2010
Messages
1,674
Wow, the vid and the tools. I just went through the entire site. Lots of stuff on my Christmas list.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

gricegear

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 15, 2012
Messages
170
Location
Illinois
I love handmade tools and its very neat to see a well done video showing the process. Lots of care and attention to detail into each piece!! Thanks for posting, I watched the other one of the chisel also. Very cool...
 

Mr. Hill

Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
23
It makes you wonder what kind of life that would be. Living in a cabin making stuff by hand it must be so low stress and a sense of pride and satisfaction of building something beautiful with your hands That not only works but its built to last. It would be great to do something like that. Wow.
 

Gemp

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2008
Messages
23
Location
Cleveland,Ohio
It makes you wonder what kind of life that would be. Living in a cabin making stuff by hand it must be so low stress and a sense of pride and satisfaction of building something beautiful with your hands That not only works but its built to last. It would be great to do something like that. Wow.

Man you spot on with this.........living the dream for sure.
 

NUTTSGT

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
50,863
Location
Northern Central Ohio
I have to agree with the others on the video and the handbuilt craftsmanship. Blacksmithing has always impressed me and I wish I could figure out what happened to the chisel I forged in high school but I also wonder about the eye protection.

One thing that did make me chuckle was the use of the calipers in the handle making.
 

reyna14

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
136
Also disappointed that orders are not being taken right now. I want one of these. Heck, I'd like to learn how to make one of my own. I think I can do it. :D
 

Bojans

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2008
Messages
254
I am going to get one of John's hatchets for my son. Make his first tool one that will last a lifetime.
 

Rolleiflex

Active member
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
30
Location
Austin, Texas
Very well done video and what looks to be a great axe. For the person who posted about getting a couple for conversation pieces...are you nuts?! These axes were meant to be used anything less would be an insult to those who produce them.

Another very good option for those interested a high quality hand forged axe is Gränsfors Bruks. I have had one for years and it is an awesome axe.

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html
 

JohnFreeman

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2009
Messages
795
Location
central nc
Very well done video and what looks to be a great axe. For the person who posted about getting a couple for conversation pieces...are you nuts?! These axes were meant to be used anything less would be an insult to those who produce them.

Another very good option for those interested a high quality hand forged axe is Gränsfors Bruks. I have had one for years and it is an awesome axe.

http://www.gransfors.com/htm_eng/index.html

Agree 100% on the gransfors bruks!

I have one here and love it
John
 

noid

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
1,341
Axes are a staple in Latvia/Lithuania. As a Lithuanian (who now lives in North America) I can tell you that the majority of the country still heats their homes by burning wood. Traditional get togethers also revolve around chopping wood and grilling stuff over top. Lastly living in and around the forests is the way of life in the Baltic.
 

4EyedTurd

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2009
Messages
595
Location
Texas
Can I ax you guys, is there any trick to keeping the ax head on the handle? I picked up an ax from Atwoods and I can get about 4 or 5 good chops in before I have to stop and tap the head and wedge back onto the handle.
 

srmofo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
6,161
Location
SW ohio
Can I ax you guys, is there any trick to keeping the ax head on the handle? I picked up an ax from Atwoods and I can get about 4 or 5 good chops in before I have to stop and tap the head and wedge back onto the handle.

Yes , yes there is.

Watch the video again. See where he is driving the hardwood wedge into it followed by the metal wedge to secure it all. That is a very important part. Its also important the handle fit into the head properly
 

ed_v

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2007
Messages
1,418
Location
Kentucky
I've watched this video probably 50 times over the last week. I really want to build a coal/wood burning forge now. I think blacksmithing would be very fun and rewarding. It doesn't seem to have the stress that building old hot rods give me :)

Ed
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

IndyGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
9,669
Location
Indy
I'm as impressed with the video making as the axe making.

That video seems to be better and more creative than 99% of what you can watch on TV and 95% of what you can watch at the theater - it isn't easy to do that - whoever made it is a genius.

Their website is just as good.

PS. I like the axes too
 

Trucky

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
1,747
I, as a (somewhat) competent machinist can make so many things. But I put machining and programming as more science than art. That video is of a pure art that I do wish to someday be able to do myself as well. I'll be purchasing something from Neeman in the future. For sure.
 

trainer

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Messages
2,019
Location
Northern Ontario, Canada
Can I ax you guys, is there any trick to keeping the ax head on the handle? I picked up an ax from Atwoods and I can get about 4 or 5 good chops in before I have to stop and tap the head and wedge back onto the handle.

wood shrinks and swells across the grain with changes in sesaonal humidity. A head mounted on a handle that isnt completely seasoned may work loose because of this.
A quick temporary fix is to soak the head end of the axe in a bucket of water or linseed oil overnight.
But it's best to take the handle off and remount it properly.

IMHO, knowing how to properly install a wooden handle on a hammer or axe should be a requirement to earn your man card.


Sorry, but $500 for an axe is inane, even if it is built in a romantic log workshop by a guy in a leather apron.
I've got a bunch of good qulity axes and axe heads that came to me as rusty relics at farm and estate auctions . Cleaned up, new handles and properly sharpened, they are literally ready for a second lifetime of service for less than $10.
 
Last edited:

Trucky

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
1,747
One of the axes I looked at approached $500, yes. the majority of them aren't even close to that. For something like this, I would say it's worth it. I was eyeing up a few of the $100-200 models and I feel that the price is 100% fair. Something to pass down, that's for sure. Can't do that with a cast valve core remover. :)
 

IndyGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
9,669
Location
Indy
I know about making a lot of things, but not axes

At one point in the video he splits the metal where the sharp part will be and he puts a wedge of metal into the split then heats it and pounds it in. Is he adding another kind of steel for the tip? or just adding more metal because he didn't have a big enough piece?
 

GRX

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
2,032
Location
MD
Yes. I'm not a metallurgist but the cutting edge needs to be something that's harder and keeps a sharp edge, while the rest of the ax head is softer and more malleable.
I have studied metallurgy and that is exactly it. It has to do with carbon content and resulting crystalline structures. The best samurai swords are made the same way. Lower carbon for flexibility, and high carbon for hardness and edge holding capability. If the entire axe head were made from the higher carbon steel it would be too brittle.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom