Is it worth it?

[Springchicken]

I would recommend Thorn Wood Forge. They have a good range of models to suit all needs and are hand-made in Somerset. They are expensive, though; still, in this instance, I'd say you get what you pay for.

Oscar Rush over in Norfolk is someone else to look at. His stuff is less bushcrafty - more woodworking than forestry tools - but he makes a very good carving axe that has applications beyond spoons and kuksas.

I'm sure there are others!

 

[Broch]

If you're talking 'traditional' as in early 20th late 19th century, have a browse through this diagram as a good starting point - I have Cornelius Whitehouse, Brades, Elwell, John Harrison and a few others

 

[Chris]

I would recommend Thorn Wood Forge. They have a good range of models to suit all needs and are hand-made in Somerset. They are expensive, though; still, in this instance, I'd say you get what you pay for.

Oscar Rush over in Norfolk is someone else to look at. His stuff is less bushcrafty - more woodworking than forestry tools - but he makes a very good carving axe that has applications beyond spoons and kuksas.

I'm sure there are others!

I was tempted by Thorn Wood, after watching an MCQ Bushcraft video.

They are incredibly expensive - not something that itself puts me off.

Unfortunately I saw an account on Reddit (one of the owners) promoting their own business in a way which seemed… less than transparent. Replying to posts with “Try these guys they’re really good!” style posts without stating that they are actually the owner. I know this isn’t a huge thing, but in the modern world I personally find integrity to hold a lot of weight, and this lost some in my eyes.

Just as an example,



And in another post in another thread:

 

[Springchicken]

If it's any comfort, I have connection with neither Thorn Wood Forge, the business, nor any of the individuals running it.

I am the owner of two of their axes and I have never used better ones. The tools exude quality and inspire complete confidence in use.

 

[Laurentius]

I don't know anything about Thornwood forge at all, I am not promoting Alex from Hammer and Hound Forge because I got a discount or anything but because I like his work.

 

[HillBill]

I haven't heard of them. I had a google. Blurb went.."expert blacksmiths. 25 years old, 10 years experience, trading for 4 years"

There are no experts in anything after 10 years. Never mind 4. Nor are there any experts at 25 years old

I've made knives for 16 years. I'm decent at it, but i'm far from 'expert'

Not saying they don't do good work! What i am saying is that they know how to use the internet.

 

[GreyCat]

This seems like a good place to ask the question; if I did want a really high quality, traditional English hatchet/axe, which brands or names should I be looking at?

Why don't you take a look at Dave Budd's site, and drop him a note?

This is the sort of thing he makes: https://www.davebudd.com/axes-adzes-saws

He makes really great tools, and of course is a long-standing member and mod on this forum.

I don't (yet) have one of his axes, but I have a knife or two and a bunch of basketry tools. Quality work.

GC

 

[demographic]

I haven't heard of them. I had a google. Blurb went.."expert blacksmiths. 25 years old, 10 years experience, trading for 4 years"

There are no experts in anything after 10 years. Never mind 4. Nor are there any experts at 25 years old

I've made knives for 16 years. I'm decent at it, but i'm far from 'expert'

Not saying they don't do good work! What i am saying is that they know how to use the internet.

Expert.
X is an unknown quantity and a spurt is a drip under pressure.

 

[Springchicken]

Expert.
X is an unknown quantity and a spurt is a drip under pressure.

Surely you should take 'ex-' as the prefix, meaning 'formerly', and '-pert' as the root, meaning 'forward, saucy, unconcealed'. That suggests someone who was once to the fore but who has now been beaten back into obscurity?

 

[plastic-ninja]

Why don't you take a look at Dave Budd's site, and drop him a note?

This is the sort of thing he makes: https://www.davebudd.com/axes-adzes-saws

He makes really great tools, and of course is a long-standing member and mod on this forum.

I don't (yet) have one of his axes, but I have a knife or two and a bunch of basketry tools. Quality work.

GC

+1 for that.
I have a couple of Dave’s knives & one very beautiful axe.
If you want an axe made by an actual expert look no further.
Prices for his work are, I think, spectacularly good value.

 

[Thorn Wood Forge]

I haven't heard of them. I had a google. Blurb went.."expert blacksmiths. 25 years old, 10 years experience, trading for 4 years"

There are no experts in anything after 10 years. Never mind 4. Nor are there any experts at 25 years old

I've made knives for 16 years. I'm decent at it, but i'm far from 'expert'

Not saying they don't do good work! What i am saying is that they know how to use the internet.

Hey, not sure where this info is from as it's something we've never said... But I actually own Thorn Wood Forge and none of us are 25 years old.. we're all a lot older than that. Neither do any of our team claim to be master/expert blacksmiths! Our collective professional (meaning full time) tool making experience is over 35 years. With the head blacksmith having 12+ years as a professional tool making blacksmith. We don't like using any of those terms of master/expert... There's no real need to. I whole heartedly believe our tools speak for themselves. We've got a few old videos on YouTube out with TA Outdoors on how to forge an axe and the processes taken - take a look for yourself!

 

[Thorn Wood Forge]

I was tempted by Thorn Wood, after watching an MCQ Bushcraft video.

They are incredibly expensive - not something that itself puts me off.

Unfortunately I saw an account on Reddit (one of the owners) promoting their own business in a way which seemed… less than transparent. Replying to posts with “Try these guys they’re really good!” style posts without stating that they are actually the owner. I know this isn’t a huge thing, but in the modern world I personally find integrity to hold a lot of weight, and this lost some in my eyes.

Just as an example,

View attachment 97894View attachment 97895

And in another post in another thread:

View attachment 97896

This is so bizarre, we've got some fans of our work but never had someone claim they're one of our blacksmith team or own us. I can't find the comments or the account, can you send me a link?

 

[Chris]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Axecraft/comments/1hm6zbt/merry_christmas_all_this_year_was_a_bit_special

Reddit - Please wait for verification

www.reddit.com

Seems that the account owner deleted their account in the last few days, as they have posts from just a few days ago showing on Google.




That's crazy timing, eh?

 

[Thorn Wood Forge]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Axecraft/comments/1hm6zbt/merry_christmas_all_this_year_was_a_bit_special

Reddit - Please wait for verification

www.reddit.com

Seems that the account owner deleted their account in the last few days, as they have posts from just a few days ago showing on Google.

View attachment 100964


That's crazy timing, eh?

Between our comments I've found out who it was and asked them to remove their association. Nice guy and means well, just can't have that tarnishing our reputation.

I see you're in potentially in Somerset? If you want to come visit and see how we forge axes you're more than welcome.

 

[HillBill]

Hey, not sure where this info is from as it's something we've never said... But I actually own Thorn Wood Forge and none of us are 25 years old.. we're all a lot older than that. Neither do any of our team claim to be master/expert blacksmiths! Our collective professional (meaning full time) tool making experience is over 35 years. With the head blacksmith having 12+ years as a professional tool making blacksmith. We don't like using any of those terms of master/expert... There's no real need to. I whole heartedly believe our tools speak for themselves. We've got a few old videos on YouTube out with TA Outdoors on how to forge an axe and the processes taken - take a look for yourself!

Hi mate.

At the time, when i googled who you were, there was all sorts of blurb about you, admittedly not from yourselves. Just done the same search again, and that 'info' is gone.

Seems like someone was hijacking your name for whatever reason.

If what was said is false, then i apologise. And thanks for the clarification.

You guys do some nice work though, as i said in my previous post.

 

[Thorn Wood Forge]

Hi mate.

At the time, when i googled who you were, there was all sorts of blurb about you, admittedly not from yourselves. Just done the same search again, and that 'info' is gone.

Seems like someone was hijacking your name for whatever reason.

If what was said is false, then i apologise. And thanks for the clarification.

You guys do some nice work though, as i said in my previous post.

Hey mate, no need to apologise just wanted to give you the right info.

Thanks for the kind comments too! We're working tirelessly to get high quality and high performance axes made back here in England. We have such a rich history of tool making and it'd be a shame for it to all be lost. I hope you manage to get your hands on one of our axes to understand the level of quality we're proud to offer.

We've got a special project in the making, with a focus on accessibility (affordability) whilst still maintaining high quality and performance specifically for the bushcraft community. Plan is for a release around May