My latest: A Double Bit Axe and Hatchet

L

lwrhea

Joined
May 24, 2005
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The first is a boys size (close) DB Axe. The handle is 23 inches. The head I forged from mild steel and forge welded the high carbon bits in. They're 1075 steel. Cutting edge is a little over 4 inches.



The Hatchet is also mild steel with a welded in bit of 1075. The handle is 13 inches over all. Cutting edge is
4-1/4 inch.



I carved both handles from Kiln dried Hickory.
 
Great looking and I am sure very functional tools. Would be interested in feedback on how they hold up.
 
Man, that's cool! Now hoping for an answer to a question that's been rolling around in my head: How do you heat treat a double bit? Do you have to use a torch to draw back the midde?
 
I stopped using double bit axes some time ago, but golly I love a good hatchet. That one looks VERY good.
 
Thanks guys.

Stalbot, I don't heat the middle. Just the ends. If you're careful with the heat, you can harden one end at a time. I use the forge opening and shield the hardened end after doing the first end. Then just draw it back in the oven.

Incidentally, The middle is mild steel and will not harden significantly so heat treating is a much easier thing under this circumstance. But lets say the whole thing was high carbon. If you heated the entire head to the critical temperature and quench, it is likely to break at the eye. Same with a hammer or a single bit with a hardened poll. So its better not to bring the middle, eye area, up to critical temp to start with. However, these are tools that will sustain a lot of shock from time to time, so thermo cycling is a must.
 
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