bronze age gear dilema

[John Fenna]

Recently I aquired by trade a very nice copy of a bronze age style axe head.

This, I decided, was by way of a project and I decided I was going to haft it in two ways, first as an adze and then as an axe.
So I sharpened the blade by hammering it a bit thinner and then filing to a good convex edge.

I duely searched out bits of green wood for the handles (ash for the adze, willow for the axe - just what I could find in about the right shape and size!), shaped and dried them and got ready to practice the techniques needed on the adze.

Resin, beeswax and charcoal glue was mixed up and rawhide thonging prepared. A slot was cut into the wood and the axehead glued in then lashed as well.

The rawhide certainly shrinks as it dries as can be seen from the gaps in the dried lashing as oposed to the tight lashing when it was wet!.
The lashings were dried overnight and this morning they were bone dry and rock hard so it was time to play

I chose a piece of well seasoned riven pine to smooth out with the adze - and it had a fair few small knots in it as well!

The adze works brilliantly!

OK I am not a carpenter or joiner but the adze worked as well as any other (steel bladed, factory made) adze I have ever used and it cut well and with ease.
The blade may need sharpening a little more often than a steel blade but the head is solid in the joint and I cannot see it coming loose for a LONG time (unless it gets hot and wet, softening the rawhied and the glue...)
So here is my dilema...
Should I keep the adze as an adze and forget the axe part of the project?
Should I keep it as an adze until the head comes loose in working (that could be quite a while as I do not use an adze often)?
Should I remove the head now I have proved the adze works and get on with the axe ?
Should I try and source another axe head and have both (cost is a big issue for me here - trades?)
Anyone got a spare bronze age styly axe head?

 

[Elen Sentier]

That looks such a nice piece of kit, I'd really like to see it in the flesh . If it was me - and of course it's not! - I go for one of these options ...
- try and source another axe head and have both (cost is a big issue for me here - trades?)
- Anyone got a spare bronze age styly axe head?

Would like to borrow your pix of its making for our archaeology group, is that OK?

 

[crosslandkelly]

Personally, I would keep it as an Adze if it works well, and maybe try to source another head.

 

[John Fenna]

That looks such a nice piece of kit, I'd really like to see it in the flesh . If it was me - and of course it's not! - I go for one of these options ...
- try and source another axe head and have both (cost is a big issue for me here - trades?)
- Anyone got a spare bronze age styly axe head?

Would like to borrow your pix of its making for our archaeology group, is that OK?

By all means - help yourself
Or I could send you a disk with the pictures on if you like.

 

[Mesquite]

I'd go with keeping as an adze as well John. You've done a great job hafting it so it's be a shame to see that go to waste.

Maybe you could come to some arrangement with Mr Budd that for a project that you cast another head at the moot which would give you time to source enough scrap bronze and carve a mould

 

[copper_head]

Hey nice work John! Looks great .

 

[John Fenna]

I should give credit to Robin Wood - his notes on making bronze tools for building the Bronze age boat helped me imensely with this project!

 

[Bartooon]

Nice work! You could always go one step further and make the whole kit 'n caboodle. Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire run workshops where you can make your own bronze axe head.

 

[SCOMAN]

For me I'd like to see it used as an axe but I'm not the one doing the work. Which do you use most if it's an axe then keep it as that knowing that you have the ability to make it an Adze on occasion. Shifting it in this manner will allow you to update the glue and bindings instead of working them to destruction. It looks lovely either way.

 

[bilmo-p5]

If you want to try it as an axe, then do so. You know that it works as an adze and that your construction is sound, so you can always re-make it as an adze should you want to.

 

[belzeebob23]

Hi john
Have a look at these.

https://picasaweb.google.com/110598...key=Gv1sRgCKaG3bKgt7nQ_gE#5376231858475580674
These are them in use a few years back up at Loch Tay
https://picasaweb.google.com/110598...AndBoatBuilding?authkey=Gv1sRgCKaG3bKgt7nQ_gE

Bob

 

[Dreadhead]

that's some great work there John love it

 

[John Fenna]

Nice work! You could always go one step further and make the whole kit 'n caboodle. Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire run workshops where you can make your own bronze axe head.

Those are very tempting - but too far and beyond my pocket....

 

[Toddy]

If it's for public demo John, it's probably safer as an adze. Idiots try to pick up and swing axes, adzes they just cut their feet with

Nicely done though Mr Fenna

atb,
M

 

[Samon]

does it hold an edge alright?

looks neat, could you forge one yourself?

 

[boatman]

http://www.bronze-age-swords.com/other_items_for_sale.htm

 

[John Fenna]

http://www.bronze-age-swords.com/other_items_for_sale.htm

All beyond my wallet - but supurb for all that!

 

[John Fenna]

does it hold an edge alright?

looks neat, could you forge one yourself?

It holds a good edge - not as good as steel but very easy to sharpen

 

[decorum]

Like that! . There is no real dilemma and you know it (because you wouldn't otherwise be asking for permission or approval ) ~ good tools shouldn't be purposely broken .

I reckon you should offer Mr. Budd your services for a couple of weeks in trade (or part there-of) for an additional piece .







Break it and may you be inundated with a plague of pink plastic sporks!

 

[topknot]

I say that looks very nice.

Topknot