Hafting a Bronze axe head... Advice

[copper_head]

Hi all,
Got this bronze axe head from a bronze working demo a while back, any thoughts about how to attach it to a handle (the other axe is GB SFA for size comparison)?

I was thinking of making a hatchet with it, I got this piece of ivy it definately looks like theres a handle in it somewhere.
Cheers for looking,
kit

 

[copper_head]

ahh $orry not sure whats happend here, can a mod delete the other thread please :sad6:

 

[John Fenna]

Wouildn't this kind of axe be Elbow-shafted like Otzi's rather than shafted like a modern axe?
I cant find a picture at the moment but I am sure someone has one to hand..

 

[copper_head]

I googled this up;

Something like that. I gues this 'elbow-shafted'?

 

[John Fenna]

Just found that myself - thats the one!
Forked stick, small socket made in one fork lash the head in with raw hide (dog chew) - bobs your uncle!

 

[copper_head]

ahh, well thats a start i have a nice piece of ivy wood to use. Not sure if it is suitable tho, any thoughts on whether it would stand the punishment?

 

[mr dazzler]

Ivy "wood" is cwap in my opinion. I have just been thinning out and burning loads of the stuff plus a ton or so of brambles out of what still remains of my hedge after previous owner's ill advised wood butchery with chainsaw's , to get some air and light into it for next spring. It doesnt seem to have any sort of strength, in fact it has to rely on other branches to support it, useless parasite. Are you sure your wood is ivy, have you a photo of it? Test it by smacking it hard on a bench top or the floor if its weak you'll soon know It has to be able to take the stress. I myself have been on the lookout for good elbow's to make adzes (native American style) and also for stick blank's. I got a possibility of some good hazel coppice in the next few week's. I'd say look for a section of branch out of a ash/oak/hawthorn type tree where you have a thin (handle section) going into a thicker one at a near righ angle. Then create a slot to match the bronze tang, in the thicker section, then wrap with sinew or raw hide as was sudgested.
God luck with your project cheers Jonathan

 

[Fallow Way]

Hi, I`m really rushed right now but caught your post. I studying Bronze Age woodworking skills and will be in touch as soon as I can about how to haft your axe head if you want to do it authetically.

 

[copper_head]

To Mr. Dazzler: $orry I dont mean ivy, i mean holly lol dont know how I got that wrong !

To Fallow Way: I would be very interested in what you have too say, thanks

 

[baggins]

If you can get hold of some hawthorn, it would make a very strong handle. As it is often grown in hedges, you often get elbows that are wellformed. see if anybody is hedge laying round you at the mo, there's often bits you can scrounge.
Baggins

 

[mr dazzler]

I think maybe haw thorn is under rated, its not a trendy timber any way . I think it could make interesting chair leg's, peeled and scraped, and as you say bagins you get plenty of crooks and bend's in amongst it to do 3 part back's. Holly would be a good choice copper head, I think it would polish up smooth just from use same as ash does. Dont know how durable it is though?
Are the copper blade's set into the wood with pine resin before they are wrapped with sinew etc?