I wondered if anyone could suggest any UK-based custom blade/axe maker who would be able to produce a steel version of a Bronze Age axe head for me? I'm not talking about about the more elaborate socketed or flanged type, but the basic type of BA axehead which would have originally been cast in bronze from a stone mould. This style of axehead is still seen in use with African hunter-gatherer tribes today. What I want is a simple, small, light, rugged (but sharp) axe head which I could carry on my belt or in my possibles pouch, but which I could haft using local material when required (as axe or adze). I don't want to fell mighty oaks with it, just be able to keep the fire fuelled and the camp looking spiffin'. Without a haft it could also have many other bushcraft applications. Any suggestions gratefully received.
Bronze Age Axe Head Maker?
- Thread starter Big Steve
- Start date
icould probably make what you are looking for. As could a couple of folk on here! But could do with some more info. Size and shape , do you want it to look like a bronze age axe or doe you want to design something similar?
Chris
Chris
You might want to give this guy a try.
http://www.bronze-age-craft.com/
I don't really know anything about him but noticed his website and thought it looked interesting. Looks like he'll certainly have the knowledge when it comes to the bronze age stuff
http://www.bronze-age-craft.com/
I don't really know anything about him but noticed his website and thought it looked interesting. Looks like he'll certainly have the knowledge when it comes to the bronze age stuff
I did a course with the bronze age craft guy. He's pretty good but I think strictly into bronze casting. There is another caster of axes etc. at Bronze age foundry. Let me know how you get on with this, maybe via PM, as I had often thought about bronze age bushcrafting!
Yep Neil is a top bloke for the Bronze casting but doesn't touch the ferrous 
I'm working on an early Iron Age sword project with him ATM, he wants me to make the blde for a customer of his
had I seen this thread before I would've put my name forward too, bit late now I guess
Dave Budd MA (Experimental Archaeology)
Handmade Tools, Primitive tech courses,Archaeological repros and skeumorphs
I'm working on an early Iron Age sword project with him ATM, he wants me to make the blde for a customer of his had I seen this thread before I would've put my name forward too, bit late now I guess
Dave Budd MA (Experimental Archaeology)
Handmade Tools, Primitive tech courses,Archaeological repros and skeumorphs
Thanks for the interest and advice folks. Further to Chrisanson's comment; I had thought of a steel replica of an example of the Bronze Age flat axe found in the Pass of Ballater in Aberdeenshire shown =Ballater]here
Like the original, a type which served its masters well in a far more demanding environment than ours, it would have a thin rounded butt with curved, angled sides that diverge to a curved blade which has been further splayed by hammering so the tips are turned outwards. As per the Ballater original, the overall dimensions would be kept compact: 155mm in length, 95mm in width and 9mm thick. If it's something that Chrisanson or other BCUK members thinks is feasible, practical to produce and reasonably affordable, I would like to here from them.
Like the original, a type which served its masters well in a far more demanding environment than ours, it would have a thin rounded butt with curved, angled sides that diverge to a curved blade which has been further splayed by hammering so the tips are turned outwards. As per the Ballater original, the overall dimensions would be kept compact: 155mm in length, 95mm in width and 9mm thick. If it's something that Chrisanson or other BCUK members thinks is feasible, practical to produce and reasonably affordable, I would like to here from them.
Chrisanson; no, I'm in no hurry mate. This one has been echoing around the grey matter for a while now.
As for the ulu; It could indeed be used without hafting as a purely handheld tool. I'm not sure that fitting a small handle as seen on the Alaskan ulu would even be necessary, or that easy. This is a field expedient design, the beauty of which [in theory] is that in the morning it could be hafted for use as an axe for general fieldwork, in the afternoon rehafted as an adze for more specialised shaping or thinning jobs and in the evening for preparing meat etc a la ulu.
Our Bronze Age rellies managed to clear huge tracts of British wildwood with this simple tool design, setting the foundations for the pattern of our countryside today. Like Dark Side of The Moon... it's a classic.
As for the ulu; It could indeed be used without hafting as a purely handheld tool. I'm not sure that fitting a small handle as seen on the Alaskan ulu would even be necessary, or that easy. This is a field expedient design, the beauty of which [in theory] is that in the morning it could be hafted for use as an axe for general fieldwork, in the afternoon rehafted as an adze for more specialised shaping or thinning jobs and in the evening for preparing meat etc a la ulu.
Our Bronze Age rellies managed to clear huge tracts of British wildwood with this simple tool design, setting the foundations for the pattern of our countryside today. Like Dark Side of The Moon... it's a classic.
Aye JohnC, there's the rub. As the Bronze Age (BA) progressed, the design of the axe underwent radical modification, starting with the addition of flanged sides to strengthen the hafting by creating ridges at the edge of the axe's body: then adding a stop ridge across the axe to further hold the axe to the haft: then the design became far more sophisticated such as palstave types with loops, such as shown HERE and then socketed types. However, the evolution of a design is not always the sole result of the introduction of a superior design. Changes in technology also drive changes in design. The introduction of wax casting replaced simple stone moulds and were replaced in turn with two piece stone/fired clay moulds and so on and each time new technology arrived it was eagerly taken up by those wishing to have the latest. Keeping up with the Joneses is nothing new. If I said to a MP3 digital downloading contemporary that I still only listened to vinyl records played on a record player, many social perceptions about me are immediately made. However, that doesn't mean there is or was anything wrong with the design or use of a record player and vinyl discs. It's just technology driving change, although admittedly quality of the listening experience probably does improve. Nothing new under the sun then.
Initially, I really want to try the most basic 'flat' style of BA axe head to start with. I want to avoid flanges and sockets as it seems to constrain the method of hafting. It's going to be a bit of an experiment whatever the design; hence the reason for putting this thread up to invite observations, ridicule, suggestions for improved design or practicality (such as bevelling etc ) from the BCUK community. The issue of hafting is also a bit of an unknown which only trial and error in the practical application is going to resolve.
Initially, I really want to try the most basic 'flat' style of BA axe head to start with. I want to avoid flanges and sockets as it seems to constrain the method of hafting. It's going to be a bit of an experiment whatever the design; hence the reason for putting this thread up to invite observations, ridicule, suggestions for improved design or practicality (such as bevelling etc ) from the BCUK community. The issue of hafting is also a bit of an unknown which only trial and error in the practical application is going to resolve.
I dont know if Cegga (member here) has noticed this thread but if he has'nt it would be well worth your time sending him a PM, his work is exceptional (Yeah I'm biased so sue me), but he may be just the man you are looking for, send him your sketches, Ideas, and I'm sure he'll come up with something.
Ps interesting idea, I remember seeing the bronze axe found on the "iceman" and at the time thought it was a very beautiful piece, function and form, nicely balanced.
Stephen.
Ps interesting idea, I remember seeing the bronze axe found on the "iceman" and at the time thought it was a very beautiful piece, function and form, nicely balanced.
Stephen.
I just found this, not sure if they would be any good, but thought i would put it up nevertheless. Might be useful for future reference...
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