How to forge an axe

[Crispin]

Very satisfying to watch. Great skill.

 

[fridayman]

I enjoyed that.

 

[Chas]

I can always enjoy watching a skilled man work, thanks Crispin.

 

[TonyP]

Very impressive. I wonder how many hours that takes

 

[Crispin]

Very impressive. I wonder how many hours that takes

You can see why it's been lost to mass production. A foundry could stamp out thousands in a day

 

[Chris]

Well, a forge could. A foundry would cast them. And they'd be rubbish.

C

 

[Crushers]

very cool, thanks for posting it up.

 

[fast but dim]

Good video..... I'm going to plug a great forum of the back of this, British Blades:

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/forum.php

It's a knife forum, but has a number of other sections, 4x4, camping, gear...... Basically loads of good advice for outdoor types / gear freaks.

I've been a member there years, and I know of one other member here who is on there.

 

[Crispin]

This guys has some lovely things for sale:
Knifes: http://www.neemantools.com/en/products/wildlife-knives
Axes: http://www.neemantools.com/en/products/axes

I feel like I need a knife and an axe

 

[Chris Green90]

Some very beautiful equipment there, and i would love to own a set of the kitchen knives, they are truly remarkable. Not that the rest of it isn't but being an ex-chef I always go gooey for a beautifully crafted chefs knife

 

[Chris]

I have a Gransfors axe and it's one of my most treasured tools. Real quality is a pleasure to use.

 

[Crispin]

I have a Gransfors axe and it's one of my most treasured tools. Real quality is a pleasure to use.

So obviously axe is not an axe is not an axe; without sounding dumb, what makes it a pleasure to use? (other than "it remains sharp") I have no doubt yours and the ones by the guy in the video are better than the one I want to buy from B&Q but why? Better balanced? I was unaware that an axe blade has two different metals in it (guess the B&Q specials don't).

I really do find myself wanting one of his knives and an axe but I don't know why is "just 'cause" good enough?

 

[Chris]

In essence CP you have about nailed it. OK I can get all slushy about it being more than a tool and you can feel the craftsmanship in it, yadda yadda (but you can).

Let's just say that like stoves, I have a lot of knives and axes. OK, I just do. Balance, the quality of the shaft, the angle of the head to the shaft (haft), the weight all count. But deff the quality of the blade. On these good axes there is a different piece welded in for the cutting edge, you saw that. Not only do they hold an edge better but when you swing it and it bites into the wood there is something about the depth and ease with which it does that. My Gransfors doesn't create chips it takes out chunks. But after that, it will still shave the hairs off the back of your hand. I lend it out relectanlty as every time I do, some cave man chops wood on the ground and hits stones with it.

 

[Gary Stockton]

Won't go putting those blades in a dishwasher then! Gorgeous stuff ...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Chris]

Lovely knives, but in the main not what you need for deer stalking. Dishwasher proof is a good attribute as is a more rounded point (oxymoron I know) but points are not really very useful. Far too valuable too, to have in the field.

I have some nice knives that never get used. Too nice!
Daft isn't it.

 

[fridayman]

My Gransfors doesn't create chips it takes out chunks. But after that, it will still shave the hairs off the back of your hand. I lend it out relectanlty as every time I do, some cave man chops wood on the ground and hits stones with it.

I know it sounds mean but I try not to display that I have an axe (Gransfors forest axe) for this very reason. It is one of my favourite tools and I don't want it borrowed and mistreated by a stranger who doesn't know/understand this.

 

[Chris]

You clearly know what I mean. I haven't given it a name or anything, but I am quite possessive about it. It's not just an axe. It's a very good axe. And I'd like it to stay that way. I have the Forest Axe too. Some people collect all the axes in a range with the same maker's mark. That's just weird.

 

[Shayne]

I fully understand everyones "relationship" with thier tools as i don't think i own a single thing that has not been altered , modified , or personalized in some way or another but i struggle to understand the fascination prompted by this vid . Surely forging has not altered much at all since the iron age , don't get me wrong its an amazing skill and sadly i think a dying one , but these fella's make everything from horse shoes to door knockers i think its fair to say if it can be sculpted out of plasticine the skill of these guys can forge it out of metal .


This was hand forged to the customers sketch drawings on the TV show Grand Designs

The pic wont post but heres a link to the smithys site . http://www.bromleyohare.co.uk/

 

[Chris]

Yes Shayne but do you not remember the fascination that you experienced the first time you saw something? Well not everyone has seen an axe head being forged. Hence their fascination. Me? I worked in foundries and steel works for years. So it's a bit everyday for me. But I certainly appreciate his skill. But the first time I saw molten metal - I was fascinated by it.

 

[Shayne]

True i remember spying on a man i hated with a vengeance when i was about 5 years old coz he was building a studded partition wall for my mum , i was fascinated and as a result i became team leader whenever we found enough wood to build a den