Need axe and tool information for book.

[Turtlesinc]

Hello. Currently I am writing a book and I am trying to gather information about tools, as the main character is supposed to be handy and knowledgeable with wood and metal work.

(Some context) im writing a fictional story about a Paul Bunyan style folk hero who is incredibly big and strong. One of the traits about him is I wanted to have him build a special ax and bear trap that he uses in his daily work and adventures (he uses the bear trap to hunt a mythical monster) the reason being that he is so strong and works so much that "normal" axes continuously break when he attempts to use them. What do you guys think is the best materials for the blade and handle for long term durability.

There doesn't have to be a perfect answer if there isn't one and the book is obviously a fantasy genre so its not a big deal but I've read some of the threads on here and you guys seem to know what you're talking about so I thought I would ask to get some fun details if I could. Thanks.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

From what you said I would suggest the axe head be forged from a meteorite and weigh 10 pounds.
The handle should be carved from an ironwood tree trunk by hand and be 3" thick and 6 feet long.
Both these have mystic potential and well as intrigue.

The bear trap could be hand forged from a railroad track with the spring from a stagecoach. It is attached to a huge tree by a section of anchor chain from a ship.

 

[Turtlesinc]

From what you said I would suggest the axe head be forged from a meteorite and weigh 10 pounds.
The handle should be carved from an ironwood tree trunk by hand and be 3" thick and 6 feet long.
Both these have mystic potential and well as intrigue.

The bear trap could be hand forged from a railroad track with the spring from a stagecoach. It is attached to a huge tree by a section of anchor chain from a ship.

Oooh i like that! Thanks friend!

 

[FunkCoaster]

If you haven't already been - https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/ is another great resource for these types of questions.

Thoughts on handles:
1) You can get nerdy on your vocabulary with "haft", "hang" or "helve" instead of "handle" depending on the setting or culture. The selection/availability of wood might also depend on the regional setting.

2) To give it more of a mythic flair, the handle could be grown into the eye of the axe by a naturally growing tree over a long period of time.

3) Some communities use tree roots instead of trunk for the claim that they are 'springier' and more resistant to rot and abrasion. That springy nature could absorb the shock of a strong impact.

4) Similar to the above, the selection of specific tree could be of importance. Trees that experience constant winds tend to have a directional bias to their growth/grain. Trees growing in mountain sides would have different root systems. You can make up your own 'hunt' for the right tree. Maybe one tree was consistently picked by the magic mega-deer to rut against, causing damage which made the tree stronger.