Need a new axe to play with

[AdamSon]

Hi folks, I'm after a new axe, a carving axe to be precise.
I've recently set up a wood yard and have an axe for general use, trimming bits off trees so they fit through the saw mill and whatnot, but I find myself wanting to have a go at a bit of carving. The axe I use has a broad head and it will either deflect or just dig in, so I'm looking for something I can carve with.
Should I be looking at a side axe? What can you recommend?
Even if I can just find a head, I have some bits of ash I split up yesterday that would be perfect for handles.

 

[MikeE]

I have a Robin Wood carving axe which is perfect for the job. I am delighted with it, quite inexpensive too. I'm taking it on a carving masterclass with RM in a couple of weeks. Hope to get his feedback too.

 

[bobnewboy]

I can vouch for the Robin Wood axe as well. It was a good price and was supplied with and holds a good edge but no mask (made one myself). It is very nice to use in green wood, but I have a GB carpenter’s axe for seasoned wood (bowyery etc). The two are quite different so be sure what use you want for the axe you need.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Robson Valley]

You should take a look at wood carver's adzes. There's a variety of makers out there.
The "gutter" blade sweep will be a good cutter and you've got the makings of a bowl adze if you ever go that way.

I use a full size Stubai, it's about a 7/75 sweep. Very good for the first shaping of a block.
I have a D-adze, Sitka and Baby Sitka from Kestrel Tool that I built up from the blades.
Their versatility is such that with much more practice, I can texture surfaces with them.

 

[5teep]

Me 3 for the Robin Wood carving axe.

 

[Zingmo]

There's a lot of axes that can be re-sharpened to make them into carving axes. The old Kent pattern ones are great and can be picked up for a song. Few axes are ready for carving when you get them - I.e. razor sharp with long straight bevels. Most of those are quite pricey like the GB ones. Robin's axe is probably the best value for someone who doesn't want to spend a lot of time or money, but wants to try carving.
Here's a link: https://wood-tools.co.uk/tools/the-robin-wood-axe/

 

[Sparky415]

Adamson, as said above you can find small Kent pattern axes at carboots if you are lucky

 

[AdamSon]

Thank you for the input, I managed to get a Kent pattern Elwell axe from eBay for a tenner, should be arriving today. It needs a new handle and a clean up, what's recommend for cleaning the heads up?
I'll be putting some ash in the kiln today so in a couple weeks I'll be fitting the handle, any patterns I should look at? Or just copy the original handle?

 

[Sparky415]

I go over mine with a wire wheel then a coat of linseed oil or bees wax or even just oil

 

[Billy-o]

That horn-handled clip point is a pretty little knife, Sparky415. Mind if I ask what it is? I think I can just make out 'Made In' on the stamp.

 

[Sparky415]

Thanks Billy,
It was made in Germany, I replaced the knackered liners with brass and added the stag

 

[Billy-o]

That's really nicely done

 

[AdamSon]

Well I opened it up today and noticed the head is bent/twisted. The guy gave me a full refund and told me to keep it, I really wasn't expecting that but there we have it!

I forgot to save pictures and I've left it at the wood yard! But I will post progress pictures as I go along.

Should I just forget about the twist and do my best or is there a way to straighten it without ruining it completely?

 

[Sparky415]

How bad is it Mate?
Picture when you can please

 

[Zingmo]

I have an old Kent pattern with a twist. It actually makes it a bit "right-handed".

Z

 

[AdamSon]

@Zingmo unfortunately mine would work better as a left hander, hopefully sort it out though, I'll post pictures on Monday.

 

[AdamSon]

You can't really see the twist much in the pictures.

 

[AdamSon]

You can't really see the twist much in the pictures.

Strange, don't know why the pictures don't work.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yTBaeyPjfvACmKs72
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SHmBWI1izGDeN2Dh2

 

[Zingmo]

Ah yes. That's obviously seen some over vigorous use.

Z

 

[Robson Valley]

Do you see any differences in the bevels on each side which might be related to the cast of the blade?
Axe blades, to me, are more than sufficiently bash-worthy to resist that sort of cast.
Think of the force involved to bend such a blade. It couldn't have been wood.
Not even fresh birch at -30C can do that.