Bell ax and hunter

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
The bell ax was forged from a 500 year old piece of steel that came from a bell tower of a really old church in Belgium. It was part of the mechanical device used to hoist the bells up to the tower. Didn't do it on purpose but after I had it all together I was looking at it and the head itself looks like a bell. This one has a 5 1/2" head with a 3 1/2" cutting edge. 11" curly maple handle. If your really quite you can still hear it ring......

The knife is made out of some old stuff also. The blade was once a part of a buggy leaf spring. Its a fuzz over 4", old wrought iron for the fittings, and a not so old piece of sambar stag. Its 8 3/4" overall. The leaf spring, wrought iron, and the horse shoe were all found in a barn foundation.

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I just gotta tell you I love your work! Like solid old furniture. Good tools.
 
There are no words to describe how much I LOVE that Axe!!! WOW!! It just speaks to me. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that axe.
 
Gotta respect Belgium steel but Im surprised it is high carbon. Cant argue with that hardening zone though.
Oh, BTW, nice work Ray
 
Bruce Bump said:
Gotta respect Belgium steel but Im surprised it is high carbon. Cant argue with that hardening zone though.
Oh, BTW, nice work Ray
Click to expand...

Bruce, I'd sure like to get more of that steel. Achim my German friend sent me the steel first told me he thought I'd have to water quench it to get it to harden up but later changed his mind after he cracked one blade. The two times I have used it it has hardened up just fine in oil. See you at the MKA Show.
 
I like both of them. Very good job, Raymond! :thumbup:

The knife looks pretty classic and has kind of used style to it - really stunning!! :cool::thumbup:
 
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