Axe gallery!

[HillBill]

I don't own all these now, only some of them, but these are some of what i've had over recent years. i have 4 double bit cruiser heads and 2 Norlund hatchet heads on the way from the states as i type. I also have a 3 1/2 lb double bit upstairs to handle.

 

[nic.]

My latest one, at the moment I like it so much I will probably keep it, carve a proper handel for it and if there is demand make copies. 950g and just under 8" cutting edge. Also a GB kubben that doesn't get much use at the moment.

 

[bb07]

Wow, that certainly is largeVery nice.
What is it mainly used for if I may ask?

 

[nic.]

The axes I make are aimed at shaping wood rather than splitting or felling. The smaller ones ( kubben sized) are often used for roughing out spoons. When you have lots of wood to shift or need larger flat surfaces then a bigger, heavier axe is easier. This one would be more suited for roughing a bowl, it is similar to axes used for roughing out clogs.

 

[bb07]

Thanks for that. A smaller one, similar in size to a Gransfors carving axe, might be very popular. At almost 8'', one your size might scare off the inexperienced axe users as it does have a somewhat fearsome appearance
Superb work, congratulations on that

 

[nic.]

You are right its not very bushcrafty really; I'll find some images of the less extreme axes I make/ use.

 

[Samon]

You are right its not very bushcrafty really; I'll find some images of the less extreme axes I make/ use.

post them all

 

[freenarative]

that looks so gorgeously gnarly, it makes me want to go zombie decapitating with it.......pretty please?

If we hit TEOTWAWKI you are more than welcome to borrow it

 

[Two Socks]

So many beautiful axes in this thread! I think I have axe-envy now.

Here are mine:

My beloved SFA by Anders Strömstedt. It is my only good axe, and I do everything with it. Below you see my old hatchet. I bought that when I was about 14. I rehandled it at some point. It isn`t very good, but I am rather attached to it.

I hope that I can add a carving axe and a wildlife hatchet to this collection at some point.

 

[nic.]

My current axes from the top : a light weight carver, a slightly sided carver, the most popular carver I make, and a bearded carver, quite versatile to use.

 

[bb07]

nic, those are absolutely beautiful axes. Beauty and function together, truly stunning. I had a look at your website but there are no axes listed for sale unfortunately, as I'm sure there are lots of people that would be interested. Price is always a deciding factor of course but I for one would love to know more of the details -construction, steel, bit hardness etc.
I particularly like the way your axes provide hand clearance, unlike the GB large carving axe that is a bit uncomfortable for me when choking up on the handle for extended periods.

 

[Two Socks]

Great! I really like the 'most popular carver you make'. I can see why it became that.

 

[Dave]

Yes, I'd like to know a price on 'the most popular carver as well' Also Nic, have you any photos of your adzes, out of interest?
Thanks

 

[deMaccusweil]

Purely from an educational perspective, what do you guys use hawks for? I always felt a good camp axe or hatchet would outperform one, but they are clearly popular.

 

[Niels]

Purely from an educational perspective, what do you guys use hawks for? I always felt a good camp axe or hatchet would outperform one, but they are clearly popular.

I use it for chopping stuff like spoons. Because of the thin profile it chops better than most hatchets. For splitting I do use a hatchet.

 

[santaman2000]

Purely from an educational perspective, what do you guys use hawks for? I always felt a good camp axe or hatchet would outperform one, but they are clearly popular.

I don't usually carry an axe of any kind when afoot (I do keep one in the truck at all times though) But when I do it's most often a real axe or hatchet.

However the hawk does have some real advantages that some appreciate:
1. It's generally far lighter
2. If you break the handle it can easily be replaced in just minutes with a green stick.
3. Although it's slightly less practical (as you should carry a proper knife for these tasks) it can easily be slipped off the handle and used as a knife for cleaning fish and game or for general knife work.

Then too there's that intangible feeling using something that traces back to older times. Not to mention the sheer fun of throwing them in competition at camp events.

 

[Two Socks]

My latest addition to the family, got it last summer:

And my rehandled hatchet.

I just went through this thread again to look at all the nice pictures. Axes are lovely things to look at.

 

[Niels]

Epic photo that first one Two Socks. Almost like a painting

 

[Two Socks]

Epic photo that first one Two Socks. Almost like a painting

Thanks. I`ll pass on the compliment to my brother. He is a great photographer, and last weekend he took some shots of me and my gadgets

 

[sandbender]

Some lovely axes in this thread, here are my three...

Gränsfors Scandinavian Forest Axe
Gränsfors Small Forest Axe
Gränsfors Small Hatchet