Robin Wood Carving Axe, US equivalents?

S

Sid Post

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Oct 14, 1998
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On other forums, there is a huge amount of love for the Robin Wood Carving Axe. I am looking for something similar that is made in the USA with a little harder steel (1075 or 1086 maybe) or possibly something in 1050/1066 with a harder bit.

The Green Haven Forge craft axe at ~$55 'naked" looks interesting. There are probably other small blacksmith shops making similar options. I am not looking for a Council Tool production model. A ~$60 Husqvarna carving axe might be viable, but I think it is likely too big. I am looking for something with a roughly 14" haft and a head weight of around 1.25lbs with an appropriate edge profile for some carving, light splitting, and limited chopping.

I am not "hard over" on the general specs listed above, they are a starting point. The Gransfor Bruk Outdoor Axe is too light and small to be practical (personal experience), and the Wildlife Hatchet has served me much better. Neither is set up for light carving and camp cooking over a fire.

I don't require a carbon steel forged option from a blacksmith, but I need a steel performance consistent with 5160/10xx 'like' properties in any stainless stock removal options, so if someone experienced with industrial cutting steels offers a viable option, I would be super interested as well!

Lastly, an >$300 option just isn't going to happen, so "legendary" blacksmith options are not viable for me at this time. I also am not constrained to less than $100 either! I will pay for better performance and construction within financial reason!

TIA,
Sid
 
It's literally just a Rhineland pattern, but you won't find that made in the USA for $100 or less. The Green Haven Forge one is a foreign-produced head that they do extra work to, much like Robin Wood does (in fact, they are probably copying their approach in this regard) possibly by Prandi based on the finish. Closest USA-made option under $100 is probably the Council improved Hudson Bay with the edge gussied up.
 
For a US made carving axe look at something from Jason Lonon, his tools are outstanding and priced very fairly compared to some of the more boutiiquey options. I haven't used one of his axes but I have a bowl gouge and a small drawknife, both of which perform wonderfully. I'm not aware of anyone else in the States that is forging axes designed for green woodworking, at least not at any kind of scale.

For carving you'll want to look for a full flat grind (scandi), or flat-over-hollow which are a bit easier to maintain. My personal favorite is from a Swedish smith; Hans Karlsson.
Sid Post said:
On other forums, there is a huge amount of love for the Robin Wood Carving Axe. I am looking for something similar that is made in the USA with a little harder steel (1075 or 1086 maybe) or possibly something in 1050/1066 with a harder bit.

The Green Haven Forge craft axe at ~$55 'naked" looks interesting. There are probably other small blacksmith shops making similar options. I am not looking for a Council Tool production model. A ~$60 Husqvarna carving axe might be viable, but I think it is likely too big. I am looking for something with a roughly 14" haft and a head weight of around 1.25lbs with an appropriate edge profile for some carving, light splitting, and limited chopping.

I am not "hard over" on the general specs listed above, they are a starting point. The Gransfor Bruk Outdoor Axe is too light and small to be practical (personal experience), and the Wildlife Hatchet has served me much better. Neither is set up for light carving and camp cooking over a fire.

I don't require a carbon steel forged option from a blacksmith, but I need a steel performance consistent with 5160/10xx 'like' properties in any stainless stock removal options, so if someone experienced with industrial cutting steels offers a viable option, I would be super interested as well!

Lastly, an >$300 option just isn't going to happen, so "legendary" blacksmith options are not viable for me at this time. I also am not constrained to less than $100 either! I will pay for better performance and construction within financial reason!

TIA,
Sid
Click to expand...
 
Of ones I’ve looked at, and I still buy American, here got the Swede: Kalthoff small carving 01 Axe is good below your highest $limit (cheapest from Bernal (San Fran)) and rated 58Rc. Haven’t used it yet. Her site only states Swedish steel.

Ike’s Wolf Valley Forge (Alabama) has its mini pro carver but 18” handle, and about $80 less. And now a ten-month queue. He’s a wonderful younger man whose elbows I hope stay healthy for years to come. Pennsylvania’s Seven Pines Forge does its hatchet carver also for a good $80 less direct but on an 18” handle. 4140 or O-1. It’s avail much cheaper from his dealer, though I’m a little unsure about the 7PF’s blade shape. I’ve got his small adze and drawknife which shows strong rudimentary work but that’s pleasing to me. I didn’t look hard at Ohio’s HB Forge’s carver but it’s 1095 bit and only a touch higher than your low $limit. Perhaps short at 13” total and from images, his handles look like they were pushed out the back-end of a beaver after the beaver chewed it down erratically. I’m sure they’re grippy. Kalthoff is aesthetically tippity-top quality (depending what you’d consider for that) and could easily display under glass in a curio cabinet. I’ve got other type axes ordered from Ike (WVF) and 7PF.
 
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Travbud1 said:
For a US made carving axe look at something from Jason Lonon, his tools are outstanding and priced very fairly compared to some of the more boutiiquey options. I haven't used one of his axes but I have a bowl gouge and a small drawknife, both of which perform wonderfully. I'm not aware of anyone else in the States that is forging axes designed for green woodworking, at least not at any kind of scale.

For carving you'll want to look for a full flat grind (scandi), or flat-over-hollow which are a bit easier to maintain. My personal favorite is from a Swedish smith; Hans Karlsson.
Click to expand...

His work looks really good.
 
https://hbforge.com/hawks-axes/carving-axe/?searchid=27871&search_query=carving

This one looks pretty good at ~$155. A bit more than I'd prefer to spend, but of the options so far, it looks like it may be worth saving up for.

image0000012__94750.1732792012.jpg
 
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