An antler axe

[torjusg]

A simple antler (spike)axe.

The cutting edge is to the left. The antler is red deer and very much inferior to elk and reindeer. Still, this axe, or maybe hatchet, is very servicable. An excellent tool for chopping small trees.

Please excuse the boring background and the toes.

 

[cyclist]

don´t worry, the toes are ok - well it´s the socks and the jeans that for sure don´t fit the image

nice axe btw. - other than my stone age axe you don´t need to attach a handle. This again shows the design quality of mother nature

 

[Montivagus]

Torjusg...how do you make it i.e. get the cutting edge and how often do you have to sharpen it/how quickly does it wear out?

 

[torjusg]

Thanks guys

The edge was achieved by scoring around the antler into the soft core. After being broken off I sharpened the edge on an abrasive rock. I rarely sharpen it. It dulls from sharp to "dullish" rather quickly, but from there it is much slower. Instead of using a lot of time on sharpening the edge, I keep it dullish until it becomes too dull. Then I sharpen it all the way up. It was made two monts ago and it has only been sharpened properly twice. Have used it every weekend. It also works fairly well on dry wood as well.

When the edge has been used up I will reuse the handle for a tranchet axe.

PS! The spike will soon come off. It is annoying when using the axe.

 

[Montivagus]

Great! That is new to me..I like learning new stuff. Spike looks like it could be at a better angle....you could leave a bit of it though?

 

[spamel]

Leaving a bit of the spike may be worthwhile in order to hook over a branch that is just out of reach and pull it down to within reach, that is where the best fruit always grows!!

 

[sam_acw]

Do you have a website for all your primitive projects Torjus?

 

[torjusg]

No, but maybe I should make one...

Good suggestion! :You_Rock_

 

[torjusg]

Another part of the same antler that will become a double edged axe very soon. The hole is drilled, but may need some widening. Also, the edges are not sharpened properly yet.

 

[Cawolf]

Cool, where do you get the antler from?

 

[torjusg]

Cool, where do you get the antler from?

Find some in the forest or the mountains from time to time. This is the only time I have found red deer antler. Most of the time I find elk antler, secondly reindeer and third is roe deer.