Double bit axe re-profile

[ateallthepies]

I started this axe project a while back and only just got to finishing it. I wanted a double bit hatchet after seeing a vid by Dave Canterbury showing his Norlund axe. I bid on a couple of Norlund heads but the price went too high for me.

I looked at getting a modern version but these too were a bit pricey so I opted to get a vintage head of a small and lightweight as I could and turn it into a hand hatchet. I got this Plumb head from the USA for $64 delivered.

I sketched out the size of what I wanted and removed the metal with an Angle grinder using wet cloth on the metal to keep it as cool as possible and set about thinning the width with one side very sharp for fine work and the other thicker for limbing. I had some hickory so made a 15 inch handle...

I made a sheath out of some 3mm leather and gave it a coat of shoe polish, made a mistake by putting the pop rivet in the wrong place!....

This was quite a bit of work with all the metal removal but I now have the hand double bit axe I wanted!

 

[British Red]

Fascinating project! Thanks for the write up

 

[sunndog]

Nicely done there fella

 

[Mesquite]

Nice job resizing that axe

 

[copper_head]

Good job that looks great, now you need to make a Nessmuk knife to go with it.

 

[janso]

👍


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Samon]

You've done a fine job, mate! bit deep in the pockets for project for me though lol.

What are you doing with the top bit of the blade, the excess..? May I have it?

 

[ateallthepies]

If you want it it's yours! I was going to bash it into an Adze but don't have either a forge or anvil!!!

 

[Samon]

OOOOHH! I wonder what I could make with it...? let me know the postage and I'll cover it for you.

 

[mountainm]

Is this Ok to do on all axes? I thought that some were made with a combination of a carbon steel edge with a mild steel head 'forge welded'. In which case how far does the edge go back?

 

[ateallthepies]

Good question Mike, I heard that some axes were made like that as well? I think I got lucky as I managed to get hair popping edges and it's really tough old steel?

Would there be any visible evidence of two different metals? I take it the mild steel part would be a lot softer than the carbon steel part? May a test with a centre punch would work?

Will pm you Samon.

 

[Dreadhead]

nice work, and I love the simplicity of the sheath very tidy