Photos The Weird, Unusual, Bizarre and just plain ol' Strange Axe Thread!

[KiwiBloke]

How about a thread to discuss and show interesting Axes. Anything that is striking to you - good or bad. Let's have a look.

I found this fluted/corrugated axe head in New Zealand. Never seen anything like it before. It measures 145mm long x 95mm across the blade. Had a makers mark pressed on both sides of the head but is unreadable now. Not sure what its design purpose was.. I assume it has been used as a wedge for some years.

So strange! Show us what you have found

 

[Kevin Houtzager]

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[Moonw]

IMO less friction once it penetrates wood is always great (deeper penetration, easier release). This is the idea behind hollow-forged kukris (I mean behind the edge, going towards the spine) and other axes, and of course one of the advantages of the high-centerline axes.

 

[KiwiBloke]

Most likely a Keech, and also most likely a cast axe.

Good observation it would be hard to forge those lines uniformly by hand. Does the steel react differently if it is cast or forged? Is one stronger?

 

[Steve Tall]

re: Keech Castings and their Keesteel axes:

"...This was a new organisation, setting out on a manufacture new to the country and untrammeled by the theories and beliefs that go hand in hand with the advantages of tradition. Heretofore, edged tools had always been forged, a process having its limitations and necessitating much cumbersome machinery – indeed, this method is still used by all other tool manufacturers here and abroad. A period of intensive research by Keesteel brought success in the production of a steel so improved in character that, for the first time in history, edged casting. The results were revolutionary – the Keesteel process, completely evolved and developed in Australia by Australians, made it possible to produce quality tools cheaper than ever before."

from http://www.nswaxemen.asn.au/Articles/Idealaxe.html

 

[Kevin Houtzager]

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[FortyTwoBlades]

Depends entirely on the casting methods used. Older casting methods would have resulted in an inferior product from a tendency toward voids or inclusions, but modern casting methods are able to produce parts that are, in certain contexts, stronger than forged ones. Forged products have "grain flow" to them that behaves somewhat like wood grain. It increases the strength in one direction while weakening it slightly in the other. Cast products have some vestigial grain flow, but to so small a degree as to be negligible. This makes it roughly equally strong in all directions. This is what has led to many firearms companies switching from forging certain parts to metal injection-molding (MIM) them instead. In the context of an axe it will make for a negligible difference that even experienced users would almost certainly be unable to distinguish. In industrial mechanical components it can make much more of a difference.

 

[Square_peg]

In the context of an axe it will make for a negligible difference that even experienced users would almost certainly be unable to distinguish.

Agreed.

 

[KiwiBloke]

Doing a little digging I found that this is often called a 'washboard axe'.

 

[KiwiBloke]

This axe is quite odd. Not sure the purpose of the center cut out except for stylistic reasons.

 

[Kevin Houtzager]

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[Moonw]

Crash axe?

 

[KiwiBloke]

The wisdom here is astounding! Thanks guys

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Yeah the rubber-handled fellow is for cutting aluminum aircraft hulls, non-ferrous cable, and other vehicular sheet metals as one would in crash situations. The reason for the hole is weight. Think of it less as a hole and more like extending the beard of a tomahawk until it connects to the shank of the handle to prevent the bit from penetrating a piece of sheet metal and getting stuck. It keeps the head able to be rapidly withdrawn compared to a normal bit shape that could have the metal spring back behind the gash it creates and bind the bit.

 

[bikerector]

This axe is quite odd. Not sure the purpose of the center cut out except for stylistic reasons.

Reminds me of the spax from ontario

 

[Square_peg]

I'll add a couple to this thread. Here's a pair of NOS Floataxes. Hollow aluminum with a steel bit, lightweight to carry on an aircraft. Designed to be filled with water or wet sand to give it chopping weight.

And I was able to acquire this pair from a fellow forum member in a trade.

 

[Kevin Houtzager]

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[FortyTwoBlades]

It's not just for crashing The older ones where rated at 20.000V meaning high current power lines. The initial use was to set up or cut down those high voltage lines. The rubber is to prevent you from getting zapped.

Yup. I was referring specifically to the reason for the "hole" (really more of an extended beard) and why that was a feature. You're not going to get a bit stuck cutting a high voltage line, I don't imagine.

 

[KiwiBloke]

Square_peg those are both very interesting! The Floataxes are such a great idea. I would love to see how it feels in the hand being full of water or sand as you swing.

 

[KiwiBloke]

Here is a traditional New Zealand Maori adze axe made with a jade bit. These things were very effective as both a weapon and a tool. When sharpened correctly the jade can become razor sharp.