Uncle Rays New Signature Axe

[Martyn]

Well this thread has had a positive marketing effect... I've just ordered a Cold Steel Hawk.

I'm sure you'll love it mate, it's right down your street. I ordered a second about a week after the first arrived, you can just have so much fun with these things.

 

[Xunil]

OK, my GB Scandinavian Forest Axe, 25 and 1/2" overall length:

Three measurements from the edge of the bit to the poll:

Six width/thickness measurements taken:

* 1/2" back from the edge
* 1" in front of the eye
* at the front, widest point and back of the eye
* at the butt

My apologies for the crudity of the images, but they should serve to give a good basis for comparison against Shewie's new axe.

 

[Everything Mac]

Martyn - I meant hand forged as in hammer, tongs, anvil which is what I assumed to mean HAND forged. semantics.
It has been done using a power hammer, that is obvious enough. yes by hand - I do not deny the skill there. - I thought I had made that clear enough.

I have no wish to enter some kind of petty argument over the definition of hand forged.

Andy

 

[Martyn]

Martyn - I meant hand forged as in hammer, tongs, anvil which is what I assumed to mean HAND forged. semantics.
It has been done using a power hammer, that is obvious enough. yes by hand - I do not deny the skill there. - I thought I had made that clear enough.

I have no wish to enter some kind of petty argument over the definition of hand forged.

Andy

It's not petty Andy, people are arguing about exactly this on knife forums all over the internet and probably always will. When is a handmade knife not a handmade knife? Does using an electric drill and a grinder mean it's machine made etc. It's what Robin was alluding to in his earlier post. Purists would certainly argue that to call an item hand forged, then everything should be done by hand hammer and anvil. On the other hand, does the addition of a power hammer for a few labour intensive steps, negate the hand made element? Maybe it does, I dunno. Most professional bladesmiths, whether it's knives or axes or whatever, use some kind of machinery and almost all damascus is made on power hammers - though there are some died-in-the-wool purists who make it entirely by hand - though they charge an arm and a leg for it.

Horses for courses. It's arguing over labels as you say. I would think that Shewies axe has been made using a process similar to that shown in the last vid, rather than using the larger power press and die method, whatever you want to call it, you just have to decide for yourself if the process is worth £95 quid.

 

[Shewie]

Camera batts are on charge at the minute Xunil but I've got some measurements for you ....

OK, my GB Scandinavian Forest Axe, 25 and 1/2" overall length:

RM Wilderness - 24" over length

Three measurements from the edge of the bit to the poll:

RM - 6", 6 and 1/8th" & 6"

Six width/thickness measurements taken:

* 1/2" back from the edge
* 1" in front of the eye
* at the front, widest point and back of the eye
* at the butt

RM -

* 6mm
* 10mm
* 22mm, * 30mm, * back of eye is widest point so again 30mm
* 21mm

Hope that helps mate

 

[Xunil]

Blimey !

Thanks for the dimensions Shewie.

I've just done an old money to new money conversion and basically we are looking at (figures are rounded off for simplicity):

Mine: 4mm 8mm 16mm 25mm 24mm 19mm
Yours: 6mm 10mm 22mm 30mm 30mm 21mm

That's a massive difference in thickness (and weight) and a slight difference in the edge to poll sizes.

Wow !

I'm going to have a think about that a little to digest it. Like others have already said I wouldn't want to cart that around on my back for any distance by comparison to my ScFA but I can see the potential for a lot of extra power to the cut. Why you would need that on an axe of this size is another (quite fundamental) question, and I wonder how it will handle carving given its extra bulk and weight, but you've given me a lot to consider.

Hmmm..........

Thanks again

 

[Everything Mac]

Horses for courses. It's arguing over labels as you say. I would think that Shewies axe has been made using a process similar to that shown in the last vid, rather than using the larger power press and die method, whatever you want to call it, you just have to decide for yourself if the process is worth £95 quid.

Fair enough Martyn. I think you are right about that.
Andy

edit: those dimensions are really quite interesting. I think we need a side by side review I volunteer.

 

[Nonsuch]

In common with others, I started off reading a thread about a RM new axe and ended up buying a Cold Steel Hawk !

NS

 

[Wayland]

I think we need to form an exclusive "Hawkeye" club for people that are just too cool for RM axes...

 

[John Fenna]

In his book "Outdoor Survival Handbook" Ray champions the Woodlore knife, a Golok machete, a folding saw - and a Tomahawk.......

 

[Bluefrog]

There's no way i would ever pay that much, i like the small forest axe, it fits perfectly into my bag.....and i don't want any more weight. He's just conjured up an idea to make loads of money
Thanks
Ste

 

[JonathanD]

In his book "Outdoor Survival Handbook" Ray champions the Woodlore knife, a Golok machete, a folding saw - and a Tomahawk.......

Woodlore used to sell a 'Woodlore' Tomahawk many moons ago.

 

[Nonsuch]

I think we need to form an exclusive "Hawkeye" club for people that are just too cool for RM axes...

Yes and I need to get a "lange carbine" to go with it !

NS

 

[sandbender]

In his book "Outdoor Survival Handbook" Ray champions the Woodlore knife, a Golok machete, a folding saw - and a Tomahawk.......

In "The Survival Handbook" he recommends an Estwing tomahawk, a Sandvic folding saw and a Wilkinson Sword survival knife!

 

[Martyn]

Ahhh, but a made-in-Taiwan, drop forged tomahawk isnt spendy enough for him these days.

I bet he uses one on the QT though.

 

[Mesquite]

Ahhh, but a made-in-Taiwan, drop forged tomahawk isnt spendy enough for him these days.

I bet he uses one on the QT though.

He did before he got onto GB's.

They showed his hawk axe when I was on the camp craft course last year. Sweet little thing and the leatherwork wasn't to be sniffed at either

 

[Stew]

I think he used a hawk on one of his more recent series. Looked a nice wee thing, though no hammer.

 

[Trev]

I think he used a hawk on one of his more recent series. Looked a nice wee thing, though no hammer.

It was the Northern Wilderness .
[video=youtube;5F1to4hQeyc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F1to4hQeyc&feature=related[/video]

At about 7:30 is one instance .

Cheers , Trev .

 

[Neumo]

I do not need to buy another axe.....
I do not need to buy another axe.....
I do not need to buy another axe.....

It does look nice though... specially if it's good at splitting, takes down trees with ease & is not that heavy

 

[CaptainBeaky]

Yes and I need to get a "lange carbine" to go with it !

NS

T'ain't no carabine, but a true rifled barrel...