Forging an axe - instructions with pictures

RSA Knifemaker

RSA Knifemaker

Joined
May 5, 2001
Messages
35
I am busy making an axe and have taken a number of photos. These can be seen here

Have a look and let me know what you think.

axe_bend_curve.jpg


Here is a picture of the finished axe, it is called a Francisca (throwing axe of the ancient Franks 600 - 1000 AD)
Unfortunately I did not have the time to take some more photos as I went along, but apart from forge welding the eye to the blade, it was all straight forward grinding and hand finishing.

For those who want the know: mild steel eye, 5160 blade, the cutting edge is 5" from corner to corner, the head is 8" long. The handle is laminated oak and saligna (eucaliptus) I added a copper cap at the handle end to prevent the handle from splintering.

francisca1.jpg
 
Very interesting. Its good to have photos of each operation but they are a bit too far away for me to tell how you are doing somethings. Its refreshing to see that Im not the only one who is forced to change the plan about the end of the project. Show us the finished product OK?
 
Its refreshing to see that Im not the only one who is forced to change the plan about the end of the project.

:confused: You mean I'm not supposed to be doing that on every project? :confused:

That explains everything! :rolleyes: Great work and tutorial, by the way!

Mike
 
you know, most modern smiths will forge a head out of a single piece of steel,

The old ones were high carbon only on the cutting edge(I have an old twibill done this way, it needs repair, sigh)

This is the origin of the phraise," worn out" literaly meaning no more blade left(time to take it bacck to the smith)

nice work with the pictures and write up:D
 
Bruce, sorry about the distance, because I know what I did I sometimes forget that others don't!
Eric, the idea was to make it out of single piece, now I will get some unforeseen experience in making a two part axe!
I'm picking up my borax later today, I will let you when the job is done and post a picture here as well.
 
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