To get or not to get?

[Gorog]

I need to stop worrying about people in need or I will probably end up on the floor someday, dying of a heart attack from sheer stress or something melodramatic like that. So, I devise plans to distract myself, and, currently, I am working on a bowl for my mother, a dan bong stick for my karate master, and...that's about it. For now. But I got a plan to get a piece of gabon ebony to fashion into a handle for a wonderfully patina-ed hammer head that probably belonged to my grandpa's father or something like that. And I got a big plan: to get a used broad axe head with a 9 inch head and a 12 inch cutting edge. Sure, its got some pitting and rust, and a few chips in the edge, but that is nothing some stone and file work cannot fix, right? The reason I started this thread was to get some advise from my good friends, so lay it on me, guys, what do you think of my idea? I'm thinking of sharpening the broad axe so it can be used for carving or roughing, but I cannot pretend to be an expert in woodcarving, and I have no idea how much this thing weighs, so it could be that this idea of mine is stupid or useless. But, I got to say, I am hoping it is not, because I would love to have a hefty broad axe in my possession. I will make a handle or buy one, whichever works best. Oh, and hello everyone, its been a while since I started a thread. Any constructive criticism, support, or general replies would be appreciated, thanks everyone! Peace.

 

[Steve Tall]

A broadaxe of this size is mainly used for hewing logs (for making railroad ties in the old days, or for making flat walls for a log cabin, for example). The extra length of the broadaxe edge can make these big jobs easier, but they can still be done with smaller axes. The logs for this cabin, pictured below, were hewed by this young woman using a regular axe:

from this post in the Axe forum
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/839234-Log-Cabin-In-Progress...

A smaller axe would be more versatile, and could do smaller jobs than the big broadaxe. Here's one example, the "Woodworker Axe" made by Condor:

 

[Cpl Punishment]

If it's not too expensive, go ahead and get it. You probably won't use it much when you see how heavy they are, and they are for big jobs, but not many people have one, and it would make a good conversation piece.

 

[Howard Wallace]

There is a lot to be learned from rehabilitating old tools. Many of them have great spirit, and quality that enabled them to serve so long. Doing things like making handles will teach you a lot. You will make mistakes that teach you also.

 

[Steve Tall]

I have a broadaxe head similar to that one. Got it for $15 plus shipping. Cleaned it up but didn't put a handle on it yet. Just weighed it: 7 pounds 12 ounces. A good sized baby.

 

[Gorog]

Holy mackerel!! Thank you, everyone, for the information, but I probably will not get a monster like the one I suggested, or, if push comes to shove, I'lll get it, sharpen it up, and use it outside its intended purpose as, say, an impromptu drawknife, or a roughing tool. I would like a show tool, but my mom despises extra clutter. But I doubt I will be able to get a good hold on a 7+ pound monster...I'm not very strong, my fair sized belly and tiny muscles show it. I am considering japanese axes or ono's, they are cool looking, functional, and virtually exactly what I am looking for, except they don't come cheap, and I am most unfortunately, on a budget...I'm thinking I can use for shaving off large pieces of wood with, one I can choke up on, like a bearded axe. Well, thank you, everyone, I can always count on you guys to help me. Peace.