What is it?

[CedarEater]

I have searched the web and looked at many an axe and have seen nothing quite like this.

I do know it was hand forged by a relative (most likely Swedish) a couple...err...three generations older than myself. I will have to talk to my uncle to get the backstory of exactly which relative made it and where and thats no easy task these days since my uncle is getting up there in age and even the simplest of conversations take time.

So here it is.

Any insight as to what kind of axe this is and how it is used would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[not2sharp]

It is a gooseneck axe/spliting wedge.

n2s

 

[G-pig]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcfwlfz_tGs

Its finnish I think. Cool axe.

 

[CedarEater]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcfwlfz_tGs

Its finnish I think. Cool axe.

Thanks, that video is cool. His axe has a very similar outline but its not as thick and "wedgy" as mine. I don't think I will be using mine to rough out the new handle though. I have a nice chunk of rock maple that I was thinking would make a nice new handle.

Finnish would make sense knowing some of my family background.

 

[Square_peg]

The shape reminds me of an old cleaver I saw that had been forged out of a plow disc. It was common to re-use old plow discs in this way. Reportedly they were of very high carbon steel.

 

[G-pig]

Maple makes a good handle, Ive used a lot of it. I think since your axe was hand forged that would explain the differences. I think it would make a nice axe it brought closer to the V than the more rounded shape it has now. Thats how the old maine patterns were often shaped and they are very nice for general work.

 

[Square_peg]

Is there any particular reason why you don't want to keep the existing handle? The wood looks sound. A few coats of BLO would revive it. The cracked swell can easily be repaired. Plus it's already shaped to fit the socket. If it's loose just set it a little deeper when you re-hang it. And some Swel-Lock will keep it on that original handle for another century or so.

You have a family treasure there. It would be a shame to lose a part of it.

 

[CedarEater]

Is there any particular reason why you don't want to keep the existing handle? ... You have a family treasure there. It would be a shame to lose a part of it.

I would like to make a copy of the handle mostly because I want to use it and won't feel to bad if I damage the new handle while figuring out how to use this axe properly. Plus, it looks like an interesting little project and a test of patience to get that tappered curve and notch to fit correctly.

I am not going to be losing any part of it. I will keep the old handle and repair it. At some point someone thought it was a good idea to try to nail the broken off part back onto the base of the handle. The rusty nail just recently broke while I was testing to see if the axe would be any good at hewing. I found that I am not any good at hewing but if the axe was held at the proper angle it worked beautifully. My plan is to clean off the break and glue it back together using Cascophen. I am hesitant to clean up the handle too much as I like the patina but am not very fond of the whitish paint splatters on it or the axe head. I will decide what to do after I glue the broken piece back onto the handle.

Looks like I can start calling it a Finnish broad axe. I found this today http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=27608.0 with pictures of a couple broad axes that look like mine and have the same tappered and curved eye, no wedge.

 

[Square_peg]

Great link! Thank you very much.

A Finnish broad axe - I've never seen one before. But you have definitely nailed the ID. I'm glad you're hanging on to that nice old handle.