Great Video, Australian artisan Steve 'Blademaker' Sunk.

B

Bryan.H

Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
107
http://vimeo.com/50351080

Greetings all,

I've read about this knife and axe maker (aka The Walk-a-bout Chef) in Australian Knife Magazine a few years ago, and I purchased a damascus steel axe from Steve a while back. Here's a very well put together doco about the man and his bladeware..If you haven't seen it before, you will enjoy!
 
Thanks for the video link. I liked his knife work more that the axe he made. I suspect he didn't put his best into the axe. Especially since he gave it to the filmer as a souvenir.
 
A Visitor said:
Thanks for the video link. I liked his knife work more that the axe he made. I suspect he didn't put his best into the axe. Especially since he gave it to the filmer as a souvenir.
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Here's the damascus steel axe Steve made last year, excellent workmanship, and cuts eucalypt hardwood like a knife through hot butter! And it's pretty!

The bush axes are rough and ready tools that have a reputation for being hard wearing by folk that use them in the bush. Keith Spenser did a good review of them.

Cheers, Bryan.
danny002_zps3b8f9492.jpg
 
Byran,
Looks good. Still think the level of finish and detail present in his knives isn't shown in any of the axes seen here.
I perfectly understand someone doing blacksmithing as a hobby and stress reliever. But lol......when someone is in a video where they are called "axe man"- I was looking for more. Maybe I'm spoiled by all the excellant makers that post here.
I also wouldn't consider someone using a power hammer, propane forge, belt grinder as working in the style of "Ancient" bladesmiths. jmo
I did enjoy the "thats fucking straight" comment.
 
A Visitor said:
... I also wouldn't consider someone using a power hammer, propane forge, belt grinder as working in the style of "Ancient" bladesmiths. jmo
I did enjoy the "thats fucking straight" comment.
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+1 on these 2 comments. He is without a doubt Australian as can be (which I like). Saying he is working the way "Ancients" did just doesn't make any sense to me.

His axes are no doubt functional and his damascus knives are very nice.

I cracked up at the f-ing strait comment too :)

Good to see a ball peen hammer can be made into an effective tomahawk but I have seen a rectangle block shaped into a tomahawk and its not that much more effort especially with a power hammer.
 
A Visitor said:
I also wouldn't consider someone using a power hammer, propane forge, belt grinder as working in the style of "Ancient" bladesmiths. jmo
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I respect your opinion but disagree with it. Most successful modern blacksmiths are working this way now. 'Blacksmith' is a mindset. If you have it, you'll do good with whatever tool set you elect to use. I wish I had more time to spend learning it.

But I see your point. A modern blacksmith isn't 'ancient', but the mindset is most important and it's no different.
 
I also considered that the "Ancient" commentary might be coming from the people who made the video not the blacksmith. I don't have a problem with electric tooling or when he called the axe "hand forged". Even though he only used a hand hammer to "straighten" everything...semantics.
A traditionalist who works without electricity might take offence. I've always felt that a blacksmith would use the best method available to get the job done.
 
I wasn't knocking the fact he uses modern tools. Just that the description did not seem to fit the video.

I want a power hammer :)
 
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