Axes

[Tomaz L.]

I've been thinking about forging an axe or two. I'm not sure what steel to use though. I assume some of the lower 10xx series would be best? Not sure if O1 or W2 is ideal for the purpose. What steel are axes usually made of anyway?

 

[Michael J. Spangler]

check out ray richards web site.... he does some really awesome work, and he knows what he's doing
hawknknives.com

 

[Wild Rose]

What steel are axes usually made of anyway?

Usually something like 4140 - 1050 and 5160 will also make good axes and hawks

 

[Raymond Richard]

As far as the steel goes if you can make a knife out of it you can make an ax out of it. It pretty much depends on how you plan to go about it. If its from solid bar or if you plan to do a folded forge welded one. Here's a real good link: http://home.cogeco.ca/~kgladysz/manufacturing.htm One of these days I'm going to give that a try. Solid bar is a bit trickier plus finding the steel. Guess thats why hammer's are a first time ticket.....

 

[Daniel Krohn]

Mild steel on the outside and 5160 of 1095 on the inside so I'm told. I'm not sure about the 1095 but it would probably work if you tempered it back far enough. I think L-6 would be good, too.

I've tried my hand at a few hawks but haven't gotten the forge welding down yet and I haven't done any destructive tests.
Daniel

 

[Steve Hayden]

I would think that S7 would be the steel of choice.