Forged axe work in progress

[PederVisti]

Hello again, it's been a while, my journeymans test is now over, so i can concentrate a bit on axemaking again!
Here is my latest in the making

As forged:


As it sits now after grinding and heat treatment:


And a quick touch up on the edge to check for cracks:


All good, now onto the haft!
Best regards
Peder Visti

 

[Gcckoka]

Wow ! good job buddy , love it.
Please post a picture after it is handled

 

[PederVisti]

Wow ! good job buddy , love it.
Please post a picture after it is handled

Thank you!
Here is the progress on the handle so far:

 

[PederVisti]

A bit of contouring:

 

[SoldierPalmer]

Good work . Did you use a solid lump of tool steel or did you weld some for the edge? I'm not quite at the stage for forging axes my self yet

 

[Shelley]

How do you put the hole in the middle for the handle? That's the bit I can't quite grasp.

 

[SoldierPalmer]

How do you put the hole in the middle for the handle? That's the bit I can't quite grasp.

2 ways I know of is. First you can fold the metal over creating the hole or second start to hammer through with a punch over a hardy hole.

 

[PederVisti]

Good work . Did you use a solid lump of tool steel or did you weld some for the edge? I'm not quite at the stage for forging axes my self yet

The "body" of the axe is mild steel and the edge has a forgewelded ck60 insert, thanks!

How do you put the hole in the middle for the handle? That's the bit I can't quite grasp.

This one is made from a solid block of steel, with the hole slit and drifted through it!

 

[PederVisti]

Now the bit is sharp!

 

[SoldierPalmer]

Looking good won't be long before your showing the finished piece.

 

[PederVisti]

Looking good won't be long before your showing the finished piece.

Ask and ye shall receive!:
Edge length is 100mm (4") - total length is 475mm (18,7") - weight is 885 grams (just under 2 pounds)
The head is forged from a solid block of mild steel, with a slit and drifted eye.
The edge has a laminated ck60 cutting edge.
The haft is ash from the local sawmill.





a comparison with the well-known GB sfa:








Best regards
Peder Visti

 

[Leshy]

Wow!
Lovely work!
Great edge there, shiny shiney.
Are these for sale or just labour of love?
Well done!

 

[SoldierPalmer]

Very nice it reminds me of the old viking shape from a few Swedish dig sites.

 

[PederVisti]

Wow!
Lovely work!
Great edge there, shiny shiney.
Are these for sale or just labour of love?
Well done!

Thanks alot! I have been toying with the idea to start selling these, hopefully soon!

 

[brancho]

Very nice bit of work mate.

 

[Shelley]

That looks amazing and I would use it for sure...one more question though, er what is a slit and drifted mean, sounds a tad rude.

 

[PederVisti]

That looks amazing and I would use it for sure...one more question though, er what is a slit and drifted mean, sounds a tad rude.

Thanks alot! it basically means to hot cut a hole in the axe with a hot cut chisel, after that the eye is forged on a series of, so called, drifts (mandrels) to get the final shape!

 

[PederVisti]

A simple axe mask to go with it:

 

[Gcckoka]

wow ! it came out great buddy !

 

[ammo]

That is fantastic, really well done. Something I really want to do myself. I'm inspired.