Traditional Finnish Forest Axe (hand forged)

[logjacob]

Traditional Finnish Forest Axe.
Hand crafted by John Neeman.
Made by old Finnish drawing.
Hand forged (by hand hammers).
Laminated steel. W108 carbon tool steel for the blade. Rockwell 58 (HRC). Axe head length 6 inches. Blade width 4 inches. Turpentine, linseed oil and bees wax treatment for the head. Elm handle - 23 1/2 inches. Handle is hand shaped, linseed oiled and bees waxed. Hand made leather blade guard.

Larger images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64220150@N06/sets/72157629169710089/

 

[The Cumbrian]

Now that I like.

Can you buy similar axes in Finland?

 

[gan_pi]

beautiful
like
want!
great work, i especially love the finish on the axe head

 

[Dreadhead]

beautiful axe would love tae see a review by a member here someday

 

[mayfly]

Like that a lot! Chris

 

[madgaz]

Lovely bit of craftmanship there

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[craeg]

Sweet piece of craftsmanship there mate

 

[dancan]

What's not to like about that , it's a beauty !

 

[Shinken]

looks really nice, nice to see an axe with a slightly thicker edge

 

[Bundleman]

Not sure about the handle but the head looks good. Whats the bit on the back for?

 

[AndyJDickson]

nice one. love the shape/style of the handle.

 

[Martti]

Can you buy similar axes in Finland?

Fiskars axes with synthetic handle are the most used axes in Finland nowadays. Such an axe as shown in the photographs can be custom made for you but there are not that many smiths that can do an axe blade contrast to smiths that can do a puukko blade.

Not sure about the handle but the head looks good. Whats the bit on the back for?

The bit on the blade's back is probably added so that the axe can be also used as a type of hammer. The curve in the handle on the other hand adds stability to the hit, or that is what the period manuals from the golden age of forestry tend to explain it.

 

[MSkiba]

Amazing axe, but also really well presented, photo's are beutiful! How much would such an axe cost?

 

[gypsy slings]

verry nice that matey

 

[Wayne]

Oh Shiny, lovely craftsmanship. Axe handle looks well made too.

 

[Finnman]

Back in the days 90% of axes in Finland was shaped like that made by Bilnäs. You can still find good or OK condition heads from fleamarkets around 5-20 year each. I have several of those heads and few ol Bilnäs axes. They mostly had quite thick bit compared to swedish axes like Gränsfors and Wetterlings. Great all round axes and shine on splitting stuff.