Axe Design contest submision for Autine!

[grey-array]

Hey everyone,

Autine a superb company that makes axes knives and a whole lot more, recently released a contest, in which they allowed people to design their Axe.

I decided that this was the opportunity I was waiting for and cracked down to the nitty gritty.
I designed an Axe that had lingered in my thoughts for a long time, it is a Hybrid design between a heavier version of the small/medium Forest Axe and a broad axe, and is design to make shortwork of everything from felling, hewing, delimbing and joinery.


Here is the design I submited, Might you not be looking for a endless amount of little details of design, there are also shiny rendered picture of 3D models XD


The Forest Broad Axe has a thinner blade then a Forest Axe would have, which will allow it to cut cleaner and straighter. it has one convex and one flat bevel just like a one side ground broadaxe, the difference however is the angle on which the bevel is set, the way the bevel is set will allow the user to be able to hew beam without the need of an offset handle or twisted bit, as this would hinder its "Forest Axe" capabilities.
The bevel is also set in such an angle that the widening eye will not hinder its use a s a broadaxe.

The bit of the axe has a curvature that is just a bit lower then we are used from a forest axe, this is because of the intent of also using this axe as a building tool, this will help the user achieve greater precision. A small benefit as well is that is a tool which is allot easier to sharpen in the field, however experience craftsmen won't have any problem with that anyways.

The Handle of the axe is also a bit different then what we are used, this to provide a safer short grip which leaves less risk to snagging the 58cm shaft behind clothing etc, as this is a reasonable source of injuries when doing small work with longer axes, plus most importantly will give the user an opener grip when hewing a beam with less risk op hurting your hands.
The shape of the handle is sectioned into almost pointed near the head and close to oval on the lower part of the grip, this will assist in getting a good directional feel for the axe so that you will be able to operate easily and accurately. I this way you will use less energy keeping the blade straight which will keep you and your muscles happy after a long day of work. below you can see a elaborate cross section of the handle, which will allow you to see the way it is constructed.

The final weight of the Head will lie between the 900 and 1050 grams, as there is still a bit of balancing to do. It is mean to be a little heavier than a Small Forest axe in order to be able to do a little heavier work, as I have experienced the small forest axes just lack a little bit of weight in order to do the job in a reasonable speed, but it is also lighter than a full Forest axe to allow the user to do fine work and fatigue the user a little less.
For more Dimensions you can take a look at the drawings

The final design will only need a little tweak here and there in order to get the weight distribution and the final "hang" of the axe just right, other than that it is ready to go.

In this top view you can really see the angle of the Blade and the difference it makes with a traditional style Forest Axe>

So tell me what you think of the design I made, or perhaps even start a discussion?
And go over to the Autine Facebook page and vote, as I really need your guys and galls to vote for the design.

as soon as the design gets on, which will be somewhere this evening, I will put the facebook link in this thread.
And here it is : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.606438332773308.1073741890.363149117102232&type=1

And here is my Design: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=606457689438039&set=a.606438332773308.1073741890.363149117102232&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-prn2%2Ft31%2F1911079_606457689438039_1198477294_o.jpg&smallsrc=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-prn2%2Ft1%2F1508040_606457689438039_1198477294_n.jpg&size=722%2C1020



Lets have some crossed finger
Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[crosslandkelly]

Good luck with your design Ruud.

 

[Macaroon]

I really hope this meets with success - you've obviously put a lot of thought and work into this, and the design looks a good one.............My knowledge of axe design on this level is no match for others here on the forum so I'll refrain from commenting in the knowledge that there are others fo us who will know much more about it. Good luck!

 

[Stew]

Looks like you've put a good lot of thought into it.

Just curious how the curve of the handle compares to other axes around? I suspect it's the skin used on the rendering but the grain on that curve looks quite weak. I think it's possibly just hte way it looks with that particular really linear grain used on that skin though.

 

[bushwacker bob]

Your handle will snap.

 

[Macaroon]

I think that handle and it's grain are just a computer graphic; I don't think that's the actual grain on a piece of wood.....................eh?.

 

[lannyman8]

Your handle will snap.

what he said, the angle is too sharp, unless you use a piece of wood where the grain fits the shape it will break. it will be hard to find a bit for that handle shape.

best of luck though mate, prove us all wrong...

regards.

chris.

 

[John Fenna]

Good luck mate

 

[Angst]

hi m8....first thing i thought was....'aint grey a great fella....look what hes done now....clever chap'....and i do indeed wish you the best...

second thought was... 'that handle is asking for trouble'....

but i'm no metal/woodworker and i hope we're all wrong!

a

ps....maybe put the direct link up for bcukers to follow/vote?

 

[grey-array]

Hey guys just updated the stuff with the facebook link attached, so if like it please also do just that on Facebook.

Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[grey-array]

Heya guys, And the comments about the Handle I see your concern however, the grain in this picture is from a standard straight which is also wrongly oriented,
but in hands of a decent carpenter with a well made timber selection the handle wont give much fuss, I promiss you that, it take a bit more "curviness" than this and then I would resort to something like steambending, however this is not necessary, in this design. I promis you guys ^^. I am still in a learning process but Wood, I have plenty of experience with, the handle will be made of Elm, and will withstand the abuses it is going to take, more than fine as I took some precautions in the relative curvature near the bend.
Just like in a bow I flattened the profile to share the load over a wider area, which in turn grants it more strength in lame man terms you could stand on this hand on the curve with over 6 man, would it even start to consider breaking

Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[grey-array]

and to comfort you guys, here is an example of something with a similar bend

Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[Angst]

yo...okidoki...if it ever goes into production, put me down for one dude!

s

 

[AussieVic]

I wonder how the curved handle will “feel” when making repeated swings ?
When chopping you get a rhythm with hands moving up and down with each chop. I’d be concerned that the shape of the handle would impede swings.
Obviously being able to pick it up would either allay or confirm any concerns.

Additionally would you consider a synthetic handle, rather than wooden ? I know people (self included) like wood, but why not pitch a radical axe with a radical handle too ?

 

[grey-array]

To be Fair I have thought about it, however I really dislike the feel,
plus these type of axes will be used allot more in lower temperature as they are related to shelter building etc, this a synthetic handle is a lot let comfortable then a wooden one.

However the solution might you think the handle does not suffice would be to use basic Steam Bending techniques in order to get the sweep
and in that way I believe you get the best of all worlds.
This because wood conducts less cold, it absorbs more shock, it requires fewer material/processes to make, and is easier to replace.
Thus there fore the reason I chose Wood, Elm to be specific, is it is less likely to split then Hickory ^^.

And indeed I wonder how your rhythm would change with the increased curve, only one way to find out I figure ^^
Thanks for your comment

Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[dwardo]

Very clever grain choice in the real picutre of the handle above.
Elm will take some serious bending if done right.

Cool looking thing that good luck with it.

 

[Samon]

I think it looks good.

Your software and design skills are impressive as well, really interesting.

If it gets made I'd love to hear what others think of the unique features you've incorporated!

 

[grey-array]

Thanks guys, and yeah Dwardo would have like to be able to put the current grain in there but the software did not allow me to import my own textures,
So sadly straight grain ^^ ( we dont sya that very often XD)

Thanks for the support guys, and please if you like it, let some friends know about it, as I really need the vote at this point ^^
Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[onfire]

That looks awesome ... I really hope it makes it to production so we can all get a feel for it ... I want one

 

[grey-array]

Thanks mate, and let hope/ make it happen that it come into production
Yours sincerely Ruud

Ps a shame that nowadays it is more about gathering votes then about the actual design and opinion of a craftsman,
but we do what we have to do.