LIght Camp Axe

[G L Drew]

Here is a small axe that I recently forged from 1085 steel. I keep one like this in a day pack in my pickup so that it always goes in the woods with me. Not meant to be used for logging but a nice light weight for camp chores.

 

[Methuselah]

that's a beauty.... about 15" ?

 

[G L Drew]

that's a beauty.... about 15" ?

The haft is about 15 inches.

 

[Square_peg]

Here is a small axe that I recently forged from 1085 steel.

Great steel for an axe!!!

They used to call 1084/1085 'agricultural steel' because it was heavily relied on for durable farm implements, plows, discs, furrows, etc. Very tough. Very hardenable.

What was your heat treat like?

 

[G L Drew]

I did a differential heat treat with the edge about 58 Rockwell and the body somewhat softer. The edge has to be sharpened with a stone because a file will skate over it. The body is soft enough that it is safe to use the peen to drive a nail or tent stake without chipping.

 

[Square_peg]

Oil quenched bit? Tempering cycles?

 

[Dusty One]

Very Nice looking work.....

 

[G L Drew]

Oil quenched bit? Tempering cycles?

Two normalizing cycles at critical temperature, an edge quench in oil and wait for a light straw brown.

 

[Kenneth J Burley]

Here is a small axe that I recently forged from 1085 steel. I keep one like this in a day pack in my pickup so that it always goes in the woods with me. Not meant to be used for logging but a nice light weight for camp chores.

For sale? Asking?