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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 18, 2016 20:24:51 GMT
This is a mini review of the Cold Steel Viking Hand Axe which I'm posting for Legacyofthesword to answer his post looking for a Viking axe for under $100. First off I apollogize for no video as I don't have one yet. First the dimentions : with some comparisons to my Hanwei. Overall length - 30 inches the same as the Hanwei Cutting edge - 6 1/4 inches - Hanwei 5 5/8 inches Head width - 6 3/8 inches - Hanwei 8 5/8 inches Blade thickness midway - 1/4 inch - Hanwei 1/2 inch Weight - 2 1/4 Lbs ( Cold Steel claims 17.6 Oz ) - Hanwei 3 1/4 Lbs Blade - 1055 Carbon steel Handle - Straight Grain Hickory The blade comes semi sharp but with a little work on the Arkansas sharpening stone. Some people like to use plastic water bottle for testing but since in all my studies of the Vikings I've never read anything about them attacking plastic water bottles so I decided to use something they would have used. Since the Axe was primarily a working tool I decided to chop wood. Also because none of my neighbors would let me turn their head into a canoe. Final test was throwing the dang thing. Again no neighbors willing to step in. Took a few throws before I got back into it again. So for $37.83 I still say it is one heck of a deal, my Hanwei was more than twice the price. Oh and by the way the Taiwan stamp on the blade came right off with a little steel wool. Now time for a little customizing.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 18, 2016 20:33:40 GMT
Oh by the way the head is a little loose but so is the Hanwei, but that's an easy fix.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 21:32:37 GMT
Thanks for posting this. I saw Michael's video and literally just got it in the mail and haven't had a chance to open it. Seems like it's a good deal.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 18, 2016 23:04:45 GMT
Hope you got it from Amazon because they had the best price I could find for it. Got mine yesterday, for the money you just can't beat it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 23:25:15 GMT
Got it from Amazon from the link you posted in another thread. I had a chance to handle it and I really like it. Amazing chopper and speedster for its size and weight. The small set screw annoys me though. I'll have to swap it for a larger size
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Post by legacyofthesword on Feb 19, 2016 1:52:59 GMT
Thanks for the review Gunnar. This axe is going on my to-buy list (along with a lot of other swords - this site is very bad for my wallet).
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Feb 19, 2016 4:37:08 GMT
Knew it had to be heavier than 17.6oz with the thick bit it has. 2 1/2lbs is a little heavy for a one hand axe. By the way these are combat axes not wood working axes.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 19, 2016 5:35:29 GMT
It's a pound lighter than the Hanwei and it throws pretty easy. Not true of the Hanwei which feel awkward to throw probably do to the length of the head. I'm thinking about shortening the handle on the Cold Steel to make more of a belt axe out of it.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 19, 2016 16:04:24 GMT
Hey, you know what I said about the head being a little loose ? I tightened the set screw no more loose head, DUH.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 19, 2016 19:26:23 GMT
It looks like I intruded. Sorry.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 20, 2016 0:16:04 GMT
Pgandy, we're talking Vikings here, we don't wear hubcaps on our heads and carry pickaxes. But seriously, I'm amazed that anyone thinks 2 1/4 Lbs is too heavy for a throwing axe. I could throw this one handed for hours with no problem. I guess it probably helps that I work out with weights a couple hours a day. It will be even better if I decide to shorten the handle but even with the 30 inch it's no problem.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Feb 20, 2016 5:32:23 GMT
Like it or not the viking didn't use heavy axes. A heavy axe will be a lot slower to use. The weight of this single handler would be around the same as a real viking two hand axe. Since I too work out with weights and do a lot of forging use hand hammer I have a lot of endurnace in my arms.
I got ripped with I first started making viking axes and made them to heavy. Did a lot of reseach on them and learned to make them a lot lighter.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 20, 2016 18:01:26 GMT
From what I've read the average small Viking axe could weight as little as 1 pounds but could go up to as much as 6 pounds for an extremely large one. Looking at the thickness of the Cold Steel head I can see where you could trim a little more weight off it but also loose a lot of strength. The head alone weighs 1 1/4 pounds. I have no doubt that you or another custom smith can make a better axe but not for the price and Legacyofthesword asked for the best Viking axe for under $100. Can you make him one for under $100 of course not and you shouldn't.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Feb 23, 2016 6:30:13 GMT
Hey, you know what I said about the head being a little loose ? I tightened the set screw no more loose head, DUH. One problem I've had with these CS hawks is that the tiny set screw simply scrapes a trench down the handle under shock instead of penetrating deep enough to hold the axe head in place. I fit mine by friction.
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Post by bigpete on Feb 23, 2016 7:59:58 GMT
Yep those set screws suck better to just fit the head properly ☺
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 23, 2016 17:11:34 GMT
Yep, that's why the first thing I did was buy a longer set screw, cost me all of 75 cents. And if the hole bothers you a little black putty will take care of that and can still be removed to remove the set screw to remove the head.
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Post by Marthor on May 1, 2016 1:00:48 GMT
Here's my Cold Steel Viking Hand Axe with my Viking outfit...
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on May 1, 2016 6:38:36 GMT
Here's my Cold Steel Viking Hand Axe with my Viking outfit... Awesome outfit! Your axe needs a stained and wrapped handle to merit being part of such a nice ensemble.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on May 1, 2016 6:49:46 GMT
Why does it need a wrapped handle, most Viking axe handle weren't wrapped. It keeps you from moving your hand up and down the handle fast.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on May 1, 2016 6:53:47 GMT
It's not necessary. I like mine that way, though, for aesthetics and traction. Doesn't impede grip shifting.
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