how do you make a double headed Axe?

A

Alan Molstad

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I have never seen a website where a guy forged a double headed Axe.

Anyone know of a site where I can see one being made?
 
Alan,
I have never seen a web site showing the process, but you can contact Tim Potier in La. He is a great guy and could probably give you some pointers. I saw a double bit he made a few years ago at the blade show. You can probably find his number in one of the Knives digest books.
 
Which method are you interested in? punching/slitting and drifting an eye, or sandwitching the bits to form the eye?
both have advantages and drawbacks. there is a tomahawk tutorial out there where the maker cut a slot for the poll and then drifted it out. the basics there will work if you changed the length of the barstock and then forged two bits instead of one.
if you are looking for the sandwich method I cannot think of a tutorial off hand.
Either way, if you can't find anything else, drop me an e-mail, I may be able to dig up my sketches of the process.

Ken
 
My old neighbor (89) made one once for me with two plates, a drift(I think), and then he added seperate pieces of steel to form the edge wedged between the outsides.
If I remember right he layed the plates( bits?) together and welded like 1/3 of the way in (heat weld).
Then he inserted the drift and welded on the other side.
After forming the hole he used a sort of wedge to "open" the seam beween the plates at the ends and inserted a diamond shaped bar of steel to form the edge.
He said that when he was taught to make an axe head, steel was expensive (maybe good steel?) so it was used at the edges and iron made the most of the head.
This was some 18 years ago so the math = he was 89 then, that was 1988.
He started in a black smith shop at 13, so it was in 1912. Apparently that was what he learned in maybe 1914-15.
Sorry if this isnt helpfull but I've always been facinated by forges and wanted to talk about any experience I had with one and remember an old friend. Have a nice day!

BTW it is still a great axe head, he has since died of Alshiemers.
RIP Harry Townsend 1899-1994
 
John Costa just forged welded one out last night up here in Trackrock. He sandwiched two farrier's rasps together then split out the center (not welded there) and drifted it out with a regular hawk drift reversing it on the followup drift. It's looking pretty good for a "first time".
I may wind up doing the finish work on it and fitting the handle. We'll get some pictures posted either here or on the Georgia Guild website when it's finished.
Having a great time here in the N GA mountains. Weather's just right for forging if you don't mind your feet being wet. Lots of fellas here last night.
Sandy Morrissey stuck his head in for a few, along with Craig Cochran, Richard and John (help me with the last names Sandy). I think all three of these guys will bring their hammers next spring.
Brother Ron Claiborne even "proxyed" in by phone. Lot of forging going on last night (warmup stuff for today). Weather has started to clear up so today will be a goodun'. Regulars so far include: Harry and Charlie Mathews - Twin Blades, Ryan Whittemore, John Costa, Rick Lowe, Ken & Ruth Simmonds, Frank Alexander, and me all forging at the same time. What music! Plus Anthony with is BBQ wagon. Expecting a big crowd today.
Don't get no better!

Carpe ferrum!
 
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