"Small Forest Axe" budget interpretation

[Aristotle]

I decided to make my own budget version of a Gransfors Small Forest Axe,

I bought a fairly old-looking French Goldenberg 800 axe head for a few quid. It was very pitted, although blued/black. The top corner of the blade showed evidence of a lot of use. It would have taken a lot of grinding to restore the edge near the top, so I cut the flared top off the head for a more Gransfors look.

I re-profiled the blade into a nice convex shape and cold-blued any exposed shiny steel.

I had a handle from an old Aldi Work Zone axe that had been damaged near the top. I cut the handle down to around 20". The handle isn't made from the nicest wood, but it is quite tough.

I stained the handle with Poundland light brown hair dye and linseed oiled it. The colour is a bit unusual, but the grain is quite interesting.

This should be a useful one or two handed axe/hatchet.

 

[Aristotle]

I tested the new axe.

I could split small logs holding it with one hand

Holding it with two hands I was able to chop through a fairly tough piece of what looked like Birch

The blade seems very effective and it will be a useful size for smaller people and for carrying in a rucksack.

Unfortunately the head came loose during the log chop.
I have now re-mounted it, using epoxy and with a thicker, harder wooden wedge.

 

[British Red]

Hanging axes is always a game. I find that shaping the section of the helve that goes in the eye with a wood rasp really helped me, I can see the tight spots & it removes material in a very controlled way

 

[crosslandkelly]

Nice job, it looks good.

 

[Aristotle]

Hanging axes is always a game. I find that shaping the section of the helve that goes in the eye with a wood rasp really helped me, I can see the tight spots & it removes material in a very controlled way

Yes.

A wood rasp could be a good idea. I was using a chisel, Mora knife and sand paper.

This axe head didn't have an obvious taper to the eye. Maybe I should have had the handle protruding at the top.

I will test the axe again when the epoxy has cured.

The handle isn't great and was re-purposed. It won't be the end of the world if I need to fit a new one.

 

[CLEM]

Nice work