Viking Axe WIP
Jan 13, 2016 17:57:28 GMT
Post by Eric McHugh on Jan 13, 2016 17:57:28 GMT
Ever since I was able to document "real" Viking axes with Peter Johnsson, I've wanted to make them. I have to admit, many of the techniques and methods have eluded me. At times, I've resorted to more modern construction methods to produce my pieces.
I've quietly been a fan of James Austin's work. I've been reading his blog and watching videos on YouTube to glean any bit of knowledge and learn his techniques for making axes. This axe represents a step forward for me. I utilized many of his techniques and even made many of the tools he uses for the creation of his axes. The first few I made using his methods did not go very well. After heat treat, one of them developed a slag inclusion. Nothing like an invisible flaw coming to the surface post-heat treat to bring you down. Another one, I had problems with the interior of the bit and the body welding. There was a "V" shaped un-welded area (about 3 mm long) that was visible on the side of the axe. While most of the bit was soundly welded, I wanted to make sure the whole thing was welded all the way to the root of it.
This axe turned out great. No visible weld flaws on the bit and body. There is a slight hamon from the heat treat, but the welds are virtually invisible.
Not sure exactly where this falls in the Petersen typology, so I'm calling it a G/H hybrid. Typologies are only a guide anyway. Sometimes certain shapes don't fit it exactly.
I'll finish the polish tomorrow. I am intentionally leaving some forge pits and file marks on the piece to add character. Overall, I will give it a higher grit finish and then draw it back to a smooth satin. Some of the pits and file marks will show through the finish.
I plan on hafting it this week with a hickory haft. The blade is 4.5" (11,4 cm). Overall length is 7.5" (19,5 cm). Socket and body are 1018 and the bit is 1080. I'll post more pictures when I am finished.
I've quietly been a fan of James Austin's work. I've been reading his blog and watching videos on YouTube to glean any bit of knowledge and learn his techniques for making axes. This axe represents a step forward for me. I utilized many of his techniques and even made many of the tools he uses for the creation of his axes. The first few I made using his methods did not go very well. After heat treat, one of them developed a slag inclusion. Nothing like an invisible flaw coming to the surface post-heat treat to bring you down. Another one, I had problems with the interior of the bit and the body welding. There was a "V" shaped un-welded area (about 3 mm long) that was visible on the side of the axe. While most of the bit was soundly welded, I wanted to make sure the whole thing was welded all the way to the root of it.
This axe turned out great. No visible weld flaws on the bit and body. There is a slight hamon from the heat treat, but the welds are virtually invisible.
Not sure exactly where this falls in the Petersen typology, so I'm calling it a G/H hybrid. Typologies are only a guide anyway. Sometimes certain shapes don't fit it exactly.
I'll finish the polish tomorrow. I am intentionally leaving some forge pits and file marks on the piece to add character. Overall, I will give it a higher grit finish and then draw it back to a smooth satin. Some of the pits and file marks will show through the finish.
I plan on hafting it this week with a hickory haft. The blade is 4.5" (11,4 cm). Overall length is 7.5" (19,5 cm). Socket and body are 1018 and the bit is 1080. I'll post more pictures when I am finished.