Viking Axe by Gudy Van Poppel

Jos

Jos

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
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I got a new toy I gotta show you guys! (wel actually I won't have it 'till saturday... ;))

Made for me by my friend, Dutch knifemaker Gudy Van Poppel.

His explanation:

Gudy Van Poppel said:
Finished a commision, with lots of blood sweat and tears!
Long have I thought about how to make a Viking axe, the way they made it back then. Normally this type of forged axes is from low carbon steel, with a high carbon insert for the cutting edge. That can be done. But I wanted to make it from damascus steel, and that's a different matter! I made a billet of 5 bands of torsion damscus, kind of like a Viking pattern. Then I forged the axe, made the "eye", and forged it around a conical thorn. That was a hell of a job. After that it was forged to shape, the cutting edge was ground open, folded open, and a 400 layer damascus cutting edge was inserted and forged in.
The handle was made from a beam of "Tigermaple", and this was no easy feat as well!
But it was fun to make, and I know it will get a good home!
Click to expand...

(I hope I translated the technical stuff correctly!)

Specs: Cutting edge 14cm. length from handle to cutting edge 19cm. Handle length 90cm. Weight of the axehead approx 460 grams.

Enjoy the pics! (pics by Gudy)

BijlFoto-U4Z88U8A.jpg


BijlFoto-BN4OYZPU.jpg


BijlFoto-A7CRT6O4.jpg


BijlFoto-8UZQ6XZ7.jpg


Kind regards,

Jos
 
Jos: first your Salsi blade pics.... and now this?! man you have amazing blades in your arsenal and some skilled friends!
 
That is some beautiful axe Jos, sweet lines and I love the thin wrap around the haft. Congrats to you and the maker.

Regards

Robin
 
I like the looks no doubt. However, with my limited knowledge of axes like this, it does seem very thin to me the whole way round. So what is the purpose of this axe? What would it be used for? Again, I am looking to get educated here, not trying in any way to put the product down.

Thanks.
 
Operator1975 said:
I like the looks no doubt. However, with my limited knowledge of axes like this, it does seem very thin to me the whole way round. So what is the purpose of this axe? What would it be used for? Again, I am looking to get educated here, not trying in any way to put the product down.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Battle Axes, being primarily weapons, should be lighter weight than felling axes. Human opponents, even with shields and dressed in mail, aren't as tough and sturdy as an oak tree.
 
pullrich said:
man you have amazing blades in your arsenal and some skilled friends!
Click to expand...

Yep, sure is handy to have a couple of friends that can make me an axe or a sword... you never know when you need such a device! ;)

Operator1975 said:
it does seem very thin to me the whole way round. So what is the purpose of this axe? What would it be used for?
Click to expand...

The purpose of this one, obviously, is to be a show-piece. It's supposed to be a battle axe, and would be fully capable of taking out enemies. The law nowadays however, frowns upon taking out ones enemies. Let alone with an axe... ;)

It is not really a historical piece, it's more of an interpretation by Gudy. He did a lot of research to historical pieces though!

And I think people have some misconceptions about the size & weight of certain historical weapons. If axes and swords would be as big/long/heavy as Hollywood wants us to beleive, somebody wielding such a weapon would be exhausted after a few strikes.

Kind regards,

Jos
 
Jos said:
And I think people have some misconceptions about the size & weight of certain historical weapons. If axes and swords would be as big/long/heavy as Hollywood wants us to beleive, somebody wielding such a weapon would be exhausted after a few strikes.

Kind regards,

Jos
Click to expand...
Totally agree with you there.

I always wanted a GB viking axe but yours makes that one look pakistani in comparison. Thanks for sharing.
 
Jos said:
Yep, sure is handy to have a couple of friends that can make me an axe or a sword... you never know when you need such a device! ;)



The purpose of this one, obviously, is to be a show-piece. It's supposed to be a battle axe, and would be fully capable of taking out enemies. The law nowadays however, frowns upon taking out ones enemies. Let alone with an axe... ;)

It is not really a historical piece, it's more of an interpretation by Gudy. He did a lot of research to historical pieces though!

And I think people have some misconceptions about the size & weight of certain historical weapons. If axes and swords would be as big/long/heavy as Hollywood wants us to beleive, somebody wielding such a weapon would be exhausted after a few strikes.

Kind regards,

Jos
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure if that was meant to represent a fighter, because at least to me it looked way to thin to do so, but I don't know a lot about that line of weapons. Looks nice though. Well done.
 
Very nice and a lot of fine work. It looks like the head was split, worked and then welded
in the back(looks like a weld line in last pic) and he kept the pattern weld ( damascus) lines straight.
That is very interesting and shows a ton of talent. Thanks for showing it....
 
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