First bearded axe.

AddictChris

AddictChris

Joined
May 18, 2019
Messages
43
I’ve focused mostly on forging knives. This is my first attempt at an axe.

It’s not based on any historical axe. Just done based on what I like :)

It’s fully functional.

It’s 8-bar Turkish twist Damascus made from 1095 and 15n20. The bars are 30 layers, so not super fine. I have a 50-ton press so I can easily go for high layer counts, but frankly I don’t think the high layers look that great.

Anyhoo, this is a punched and drifted eye.
Head weighs 26 oz.
head length is 8.5”
Cutting edge is 4.25”
Handle is 19” from butt to top.
total weight is 35.2 oz

the edge and end of the spike are about HRC 60, but reduces to around HRC 52 though the middle, so should be plenty tough

Handle is hickory, wrap and lacing is all leather.

fin2.jpg


fin1.jpg


I wanted to add a pic showing the top, but the one I have is from before I wrapped the handle...

etched4.jpg
 
Last edited:
Excellent forging and all other metalworking skills.
WAY competent,Chris,right on,good for you.
Thanks for showing this.

(with that spike it may make a perfect "killing axe"!:)
 
AddictChris said:
I’ve focused mostly on forging knives. This is my first attempt at an axe.

It’s not based on any historical axe. Just done based on what I like :)

It’s fully functional.

It’s 8-bar Turkish twist Damascus made from 1095 and 15n20. The bars are 30 layers, so not super fine. I have a 50-ton press so I can easily go for high layer counts, but frankly I don’t think the high layers look that great.

Anyhoo, this is a punched and drifted eye.
Head weighs 26 oz.
head length is 8.5”
Cutting edge is 4.25”
Handle is 19” from butt to top.
total weight is 35.2 oz

the edge and end of the spike are about HRC 60, but reduces to around HRC 52 though the middle, so should be plenty tough

Handle is hickory, wrap and lacing is all leather.

fin2.jpg


fin1.jpg


I wanted to add a pic showing the top, but the one I have is from before I wrapped the handle...

etched4.jpg
Click to expand...
Wow. I just joined this forum today and am glad I did. This is the 1st handmade axe I clicked on its amazing! I like the "Bearded" style blades. The wood looks amazing. I decided about 2 days ago to get an axe and have been researching non stop. There are so many choices in both size and materials and new vs old tech. Looking forward to bevoming more familiar w\ site.
 
upload_2021-1-30_12-10-0.jpeg
I like yours 100% better.
Did you make that leather over strike wrap yourself or buy it. I use paracord but that leather is striking. And the handle leather please do tell!
 

Attachments

  • upload_2021-1-30_12-9-19.jpeg
    upload_2021-1-30_12-9-19.jpeg
    167.3 KB · Views: 0
David Nowlin said:
View attachment 1500409
I like yours 100% better.
Did you make that leather over strike wrap yourself or buy it. I use paracord but that leather is striking. And the handle leather please do tell!
Click to expand...

Hi David,

Sorry for the delayed reply. Had some shoulder surgery back in Dec and its put me out of commission for a few months.
Didnt looks at forums because they just made me miss my work that much more ;)

I made that wrap myself. I bought a pretty cheap square of leather on Amazon as well as the leather cord that I used for lacing and wrap for the lower handle. I had a hole puncher for leather from a previous project also from Amazon. It was pretty simple. Punched the holes and laced it up. The wrap for the grip is the same cord as the laces. Just wrapped it, keeping it nice and tight. Went a lot thicker at the bottom to make a knob-like thing to help retain grip while swinging it at zombies :)

Leather is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P4MFWXQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cord is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M51XEG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hole punch is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KY3WAK6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top