Is there an ABS type test...

[Vaunripped]

For Axes, tomahawks and hatchets? I know that the ABS tests for knives is minimum for what a good Bladesmith's skill should be. What would the tests consist of for an axe or a hawk?

I just did a few tests on some of my home made blades, failing for the most part, but it did bring this to the front of my mind.

Dusty

 

[foxx]

I have never heard of such tests, outside of the maker doing their own.
The tests would have to be appropriate to the intended use of the tool, most axes and hatchets are generally for wood. But, there's lots of different tomahawks with totally different uses. There are different steels and heat treats for them so, there would have to be different tests for a rescue/breaching hawk vs. a fighter vs. a wood chopper.

I don't think the flex test would apply, to most axes, hawks, or hatchets. Axes and hatchets may also get testing done on the handles' strength and how much pressure it takes to pull it out of the eye. With full tang hawks, you could test it's stress capacity, but still depends on the intended use. I'd expect a breacher/prying hawk to be able to take a serious beating, beyond human strength.
Dan Winkler does a good demonstration of what his rescue axe can do, and others here.....
[video=youtube;VyWBvMorZJs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyWBvMorZJs[/video]

 

[Vaunripped]

Ok, well like I said it was more of a passing curiosity than anything else. Thanks for the input though.

Dusty