Buggy axle ax

Raymond Richard

Raymond Richard

Joined
Jun 17, 2001
Messages
5,705
A few months ago I went to a friend place to demo part of a really old barn foundation. Anyway one of the things I found in the old concrete was a piece of buggy axle along with a hundred pounds or more of various forms of wrought iron. Wasn't real sure what to do with the axle thinking there wouldn't be enough carbon for it to harden. Long story short I went ahead and forged a ax head out of it. I was able to harden it up in water and here's a few pictures of what I got. The head is 5 1/4" with a 3 1/4" cutting edge. The handle is just over 11" out of curly maple. It weighs just under 20oz. The two horse shoes were also found in the wall. Bottom picture was taken shortly after forging and the rest of the axle is there with it.

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That is a beautiful tool! An transgenerational one no doubt too.
 
Ray,

You already know I like the other axe, but I really like the wood you've put on this one!!!! And if it's overall lighter, it might carry on a pack a little easier!

Two questions:

1) Why is the finish so different on this one, as opposed to the other one? Is it due to the metal itself, the way you quenched it or just simply leaving some of the evidence of it's having been forged left behind?

2) How are the heads on both of these secured? I know some use a wedge inserted into the wood in the eye, and some use either a rolled pin through the head and the handle or a knut'n'bolt... How do you do it? (Yeah, you know I work for a law firm, so liability is always a piece of the equation! ;) LOL!!!!)

And as you're also aware of my recent issues,:mad: , as soon as I get things squared away, I will be in touch for something along the lines both of these pieces have explored! :thumbup:
 
That is a great-looking axe Ray - very nicely done. So how hard did it get?

Roger
 
RogerP said:
That is a great-looking axe Ray - very nicely done. So how hard did it get?

Roger
Click to expand...

Roger, I didn't have to resort to Viagra but may try it on the next one. My guess on hardness is low 50's. I sent a piece of it in to get checked. I don't think the carbon content is more than .4 if that. I was truly surprised that it did get hard but before I went to the trouble of forging I did heat it up and water quench it.

Joe,

1. The head is fastened the same way as most hammers with a wedge not to mention the JB Weld that I also used.
2. This is my antiqued finish. I was hoping for a hamon but it didn't stand out the way I was hoping for so I went to my old stand by finish. It was well finished before the antiquing was done.
 
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