Axe mod- no name sb into swedish/american use-- WIP

[schmittie]

Hi guys.


Here is the deal: I have to confess, I really like the look of the swedish axes. You know, the wetterlings and GB's. But, I've given it LOTS of thought, done plenty of research and read feedback here for quite some time.

For me, one of those axes that I like, well, it's not gonna work. In my neck of the woods, I'm far, far from softwoods. The common trees around me happen to be oak, ash, maple, sweet gum, walnut,...all hardwoods. That thin cheeked bit that I seem drawn to just ain't gonna cut it, LITERALY.

So I am left with the American axes with thick convex cheeks that work. But, that doesn't mean I can't modify one, right??


Here is a no name axe I saved from my FILs barn.

First things first. The head was already loose. Time to cut her off the handle.

Don't worry, the handle had a wicked bow and a twist in it anyway.

Next, drill the top

And the bottom

Ya, I know what you are thinking. It is time to change that bandsaw blade.

Then knock it out, piece of cake.

Now, I marked out with a sharpie what I wanted to cut off. I used an angle grinder with cut off wheels, grinding wheels, etc. I dunked it in water often as wrapped a wet rag on the bit too. Remember, power tools are dangerous. Wear proper safety gear boy and girls. Which reminds me, where is my face shield??

After a while, this is what I'm left with.

To 'hide' the fact that I cut and ground so much off this head, I gun blued it.

I started working on the bit while it was off the handle. (And before I blued it)

At this point, I ran out to the local farm store and picked up a boys axe handle. This will be the first boys axe for me. I have to admit I was surprised at the brand in the sticker. Is this the same one you guys always refer too??

I spent quite a bit of time sanding the THICK laqucer off this handle. I plan on staining it a but darker later.

Two questions for you please:

1- should I set the head a little closer to the shoulder or is this ok??

2- is this enough room for the wedge or should I thin things a little more?

I appreciate any comments. You guys have some incredible experience. Hopefully I can finish things up this weekend some time.

 

[jpeeler]

Excellent work! Just my opinion, but I would set the head down farther. I know it's a lot of work fitting the lugs of the head over the shoulder of the handle, but I think it looks better and makes the fit more solid. As for the wedge- if the head comes off fairly easy, I think you're good. Drive it, and if you don't like it, pull it and reshape.

 

[Jonthepirate]

Looks nice! I would also take the time to lower the head down further. And ditto for jpeelers's tightness comment. It looks ok, but if it's really tight, it won't hurt to thin it out a little.


Jon

 

[lmalterna]

A homeade Rockaway?

I like it. I like my Gransfors for hand under the bit fine work. I have been working with cedar lately and they shine.

Bill

 

[disduster]

great job. Bring her down more on the handle. I would widen that slot a bit . But it depends on how thick the wedge is. Doesn't look like your gonna get that much of a spread to begin with from how narrow that eye is. I find house handle to have narrow slots and thick wedges. I widen and thin for a proper fit. How's the balance feel? Really does look great. :thumbup:

 

[Square_peg]

Nice mod!

Yes, bring is down further onto the handle. And then shave those lumps off the handle so you have a smooth transition from the eye into the haft with just a slight bulge beneath the axe head to hold it up.

 

[schmittie]

Thanks for the suggestions. I really appreciate it. Thanks for chiming in too Pegs.

I put it back in the clamp and started shaving things down a bit. I really need to get a draw knife. But my scandi helped for now.

Sanded down

And here we go. Its about 5/8" further down from the previous fit. Am I on the right track?

 

[jpeeler]

You're gonna hate to hear this, but I'd go a good bit more. The front and back of the handle, not the sides, are what should limit downward motion. This is why I hate hanging heads that have prominent lugs. My opinion though, it's your axe!

 

[schmittie]

You're gonna hate to hear this, but I'd go a good bit more. The front and back of the handle, not the sides, are what should limit downward motion. This is why I hate hanging heads that have prominent lugs. My opinion though, it's your axe!

Lol! No prob. I actually agreed. What you guys were saying about the ears finally clicked. Every time I set the head back on, the ears would dig in a little.

So I stuck her back in the clamp and spend time flattening out the bulge to make the ears fit better. It just took time. No worries.

At this point the head sat down another 1/2 from the previous fit leaving over an inch sticking up top. I cut the kerf, obviously. (Forgot to take pics)

I was pretty happy with it, so I stained the handle after another sanding, mounted the head and cut off the excess on top, leaving about 1/4".

Time to sharpen the bit one last time.

I stuck it in the chopping block with a coat of BLO to dry in the sun. This is my first boys axe sized axe.

The start weight of the head was 3 lbs 6 oz, finished weight 2 lbs 5 oz. length is 27" with a 4" bit.

I think I'm gonna really like this one. I'll call it Schmittie's Midwest Forest Axe!


Now all I gotta do is make a mask for it. But that's gonna have to wait a while.

 

[roninelh]

Very enjoyable thread, Fantastic job!:thumbup:

 

[jpeeler]

Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm really quite envious. It's like a GB Scandi Forest Axe, but manlier. You should be proud.

John

 

[zcd]

Excellent work and progress pics. Also I like the "Oh I'll just thin this out with my FIDDLEBACK" pic, great touch (and great knife)

 

[lmalterna]

VERY nice job! I like that a lot.

I need more basement time.

Bill

 

[Square_peg]

Looks great now, Schmittie! Well done!

 

[schmittie]

Very enjoyable thread, Fantastic job!:thumbup:

Thanks!

Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm really quite envious. It's like a GB Scandi Forest Axe, but manlier. You should be proud.

John

Lol. Thanks for the kind words.

Excellent work and progress pics. Also I like the "Oh I'll just thin this out with my FIDDLEBACK" pic, great touch (and great knife)

Thank you, I appreciate it. Gotta use what you got, right?

VERY nice job! I like that a lot.

I need more basement time.

Bill

Thanks Bill. I really enjoy little projects like this.

Looks great now, Schmittie! Well done!

Thanks Pegs!

 

[Operator1975]

You know what I am going to say.

Then, taking an American axe to a Euro?

Thats blasphemy.

No thanks.

 

[schmittie]

You know what I am going to say.

Then, taking an American axe to a Euro?

Thats blasphemy.

No thanks.

Hey! Come on!! It's not blasphemy.

In the end, all I did was lighten the head by what I removed. I'm not interested in getting a European or Swedish axe because it would be of no use to me, they are too thin. So I modified a old axe that was due to certain death (while keeping the thick convex cheeks I need) into something similar to what I wanted. My search is over for now. And it only cost me the time and the cost of the handle.

It's not blasphemy, it's a resurrection!

 

[Operator1975]

I appreciate your effort and work no doubt.

Just not for me.

But please dont ever stop, you might come on to something new. A new pattern, weight, thickness, etc. All we can do is innovate.

Well done, just not for me.

 

[schmittie]

I appreciate your effort and work no doubt.

Just not for me.

But please dont ever stop, you might come on to something new. A new pattern, weight, thickness, etc. All we can do is innovate.

Well done, just not for me.

I understand what you mean. No offense taken.

And to clarify: I'm done searching for a 'Swedish axe pattern'. Not done searching for the next axe.

A few years ago, I was surprised to see how many axes some collect. It seemed silly. But now I think I get the fact that I 'didn't get it'. Now I am STILL looking for a conneticut, a jersey, a cruiser or two, a Collins Legitimus, a Keen Kutter, and I'd love to get a few boy's axes. (Know anyone with a spare? )


I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have seen and what I have learned from everyone else's posts on this forum. It's a continued education of an amazing history belonging to cutting tools.

 

[Operator1975]

I understand what you mean. No offense taken.

And to clarify: I'm done searching for a 'Swedish axe pattern'. Not done searching for the next axe.

A few years ago, I was surprised to see how many axes some collect. It seemed silly. But now I think I get the fact that I 'didn't get it'. Now I am STILL looking for a conneticut, a jersey, a cruiser or two, a Collins Legitimus, a Keen Kutter, and I'd love to get a few boy's axes. (Know anyone with a spare? )


I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have seen and what I have learned from everyone else's posts on this forum. It's a continued education of an amazing history belonging to cutting tools.

I have a spare of all of those.....