What are the performance differences between Tomahawk eye vs Axe Wedge eye

This weekend I have gone to Jauregi Forge to purchase an axe and I have had the oportunity to take some photos. I apologize, they have been taken with my phone and they have not a very good quality.

Here you have three 2Kg (4.4 pound) heads. You can see clearly the difference of the eye hole, left one seen form the top, center one seen from down. I have included the third head to see the shape of this type of head.

IMG_20150109_120805 copy.jpg

Here you can see how he prepares each head with its handle before pushing them with the press. 2Kg (4.4 pound) Basque axes.

IMG_20150109_114252.jpg

I asked him if he had a traditonal head with a conventional handle and I had luck, he had one with he was making some trials. Here you can see same 2Kg axe head each with a type of handle. He sells very few with the conventional handle.

IMG_20150109_114821.jpg

He told me it takes some more time to hang a conventional handle in a traditional head than a conventional handle in a conventional head. But here you can see, it can be done and it's actually done.:D
 
So the forge is hydraulically seating the handles--that would surely help keep them from working loose. There are many conventionally wedged handles that are seated hydraulically as well, and then the center wedge is hydraulically seated also. The head can last many years without tightening. If more tightening is needed with a wedged head, you can just add a cross-wedge. If a slip fit loosens you won't get it as tight by hand tamping as adding a cross - wedge to a wedged head. Reference Gransfors, Wetterlings, Council Tool for hydraulic assemblies. Its just a matter of knowing how to do it, and then setting it up efficiently. This is just one small forge that makes axes this way. Their assemblies may be good, but most of the world has acknowledged the center-wedged head superior in most respects. Handles can be made for the best ergonomics and then be fitted accordingly--they are not constrained by a design which can slip through the eye.

Keeping things apples to apples in comparison ... I would have far more confidence in a hand assembled axe head that I wedge using my typical procedures than a slip fit that is hand fitted and hand tamped. And if you are on the trail and the handle breaks there won't be any hydraulic presses.

In thinking further about making a wedged handle on the trail, you would want to leave the wood stick well above the head and then wedge it causing the outward flair above the head. If its center wedged and back wedged it will be tighter than a slip joint made with trail tools as it wont be able to move in either direction.
 
Ugaldie said:
...
third photo...
Click to expand...

The size of the "knob" at the end of the handle would make it clear which type was which.

Ugaldie, I think you are lucky to have an axe-maker like this so close to home. Those photos got me interested to see more about how theses axes are made. This first video includes the final seating of the handles.

[video=youtube_share;Y8pAblkUWw8]http://youtu.be/Y8pAblkUWw8[/video]


This next video includes the forge welding of the inserted bit:

[video=youtube_share;_hVqXF6-4yE]http://youtu.be/_hVqXF6-4yE[/video]
 
thunderstick its clear you don't have any experience with this type of axe. It's a pity we live so far (I think you live in the USA), if you lived close I would meet you to explain, show and use it. You can tight it as well as a wedged axe and using it doesn't loosen it, just the contrary. If you look my photos again you will see a basque traditional axe head with a conventional handle. Those are the perfect example of "the simplicity is the ultimate sophistication".

Steve Tall thank you for the videos. The first one is the axemaker I know, but some years ago, the second one his father in the 70's. You can see the father producing axes in the old way, the son has improved the process. Now he uses cast steel heads and he forges the bit of each one. As I know nobody combines those methods.
I agree you I'm lucky, I live near him, I have met him two times and we have talked for hours. It seemed he appreciated the interest I show for his work. I think I will soon find another excuse to go to speak with him.
 
Ugaldie
Please understand that though we may disagree on our preferences, I recognize the fine craftmanship that is demonstrated with the making of the Basque axes. Thanks for sharing with us some of your heritage. Its great to see hand craft skills continuing on through the generations.
Kind Regards
 
I like seeing an artisan blacksmith made axes with the cheeks convexed the way they should be. I'd love to give one of those a try.
 
Maybe we can achieve it Square_peg, send me a message if you want to try to get it.
 
H & B Forge-An American maker of tomahawks for 50 years makes their hawks in much this same way.


Ugaldie, I think you are lucky to have an axe-maker like this so close to home. Those photos got me interested to see more about how theses axes are made. This first video includes the final seating of the handles.

[video=youtube_share;Y8pAblkUWw8]http://youtu.be/Y8pAblkUWw8[/video]


This next video includes the forge welding of the inserted bit:

[video=youtube_share;_hVqXF6-4yE]http://youtu.be/_hVqXF6-4yE[/video][/QUOTE]
 
It's still in the works, but it's possible I may be getting my hands on some of these. :)
 
You are right barber, I'm lucky having him so close. I have met him and he is a very good man, he is very enthusiastic with his job and he loves speaking about it with anyone who is interested.

Nowadays he doesn't do more forge welding, but he uses casted steel heads and he forges the bit.

BG_Farmer, those are Basque axes. There is not any specific Spanish axe. Calling those axes Spanish is the same as calling English knife to a dirk.
 
Ugaldie said:
You are right barber, I'm lucky having him so close. I have met him and he is a very good man, he is very enthusiastic with his job and he loves speaking about it with anyone who is interested.

Nowadays he doesn't do more forge welding, but he uses casted steel heads and he forges the bit.

BG_Farmer, those are Basque axes. There is not any specific Spanish axe. Calling those axes Spanish is the same as calling English knife to a dirk.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I should have known better--i got an earful in a place in Boise Idaho about the Basques!
 
BG_Farmer said:
Sorry, I should have known better--i got an earful in a place in Boise Idaho about the Basques!
Click to expand...

1500 hundred years ago the Brits/French/Spaniards (etc.!) ruling classes were fighting amongst themselves about circumnavigating a flat earth all in the quest for power, dominating New Worlds, gathering resources and riches, and all the while very inventive and industrious Basque fishermen quietly established commercial fishing ports/towns in Newfoundland and remote-elsewhere locations decades well in advance, and never said one word. Seems to me Basques accomplished astounding 'worldly' things all in the desire to 'put food on the table' rather than subscribe to chasing after 'fame and glory'.
 
I've received some tentative pricing info on these and they'd be around mid-GB range, as a heads up.
 
A friend made me remember this conversation, so here we go.
thunderstick said:
Keeping things apples to apples in comparison ... I would have far more confidence in a hand assembled axe head that I wedge using my typical procedures than a slip fit that is hand fitted and hand tamped. And if you are on the trail and the handle breaks there won't be any hydraulic presses.
Click to expand...
There is no axe head assembling method safer than a slip fit, or taper fit as its more known today. You will have zero head tightening problems even with a completely loose head. Look at this video, the axe is a 1750 gram Basque axe, try to match this with any other hanging method
[video]https://youtu.be/ImBQCe1snO4[/video]
If for any reason you have to change the handle it's much easier to produce a handle of this type, you only need a knife and not so much skill. There are a lot of methods to unhang and hang these axes, all of them are fast and easy. Here you have the fastest one, the one I like and use the most,
[video]https://youtu.be/n-kcRNP6Mzw[/video]
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top