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Post by Black Hand on May 15, 2020 18:26:25 GMT -7
The end decoration part goes a little Hollywood-y...
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Post by Sicilianhunter on May 16, 2020 14:52:26 GMT -7
The end decoration part goes a little Hollywood-y... Hand, Interesting and entertaining but can help but think that using the traditional methods would’ve produced a more desirable item to those in the Craft and may have been less time:effort consuming. Just my opinion... |
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Post by Black Hand on May 16, 2020 15:38:17 GMT -7
I agree.
This was posted to showcase what can be achieved with a little knowledge and effort. Sometimes you just can't find what you want so you need to make it. BTW - as best as I can tell, this gentleman is from Brazil (based upon the Portuguese spelling).
That said, short of the cheesy decorations he added at the end, the hawk looks better than many available for purchase today.
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Post by artificer on May 20, 2020 6:28:14 GMT -7
I have wondered over the years if they used wood or Iron wedges in the ends of the handles to tighten the tomahawk or axe heads on the handles, not unlike they showed in the video?
Gus
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Post by Black Hand on May 20, 2020 9:59:19 GMT -7
If the eye is tapered, a wedge is unnecessary if the handle goes in from the top.
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Post by artificer on May 20, 2020 12:24:01 GMT -7
I realize that, except even with a tapered eye, the handle will work loose eventually.
Gus
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Post by Black Hand on May 20, 2020 17:45:07 GMT -7
True. But with a tapered handle, you seat the head further on the handle. When you run out if handle, you make a new handle. Such is the ease of handle replacement with a tapered eye, no special tools are required to remove as opposed to a wedged handle.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on May 20, 2020 19:24:39 GMT -7
I realize that, except even with a tapered eye, the handle will work loose eventually. Gus A helve that is a good fit Gus is pretty secure, & if it does come loose, then it is an easy matter to tap the helve to tighten it again. However, not all axe heads had tapered eyes for drop in helves. Personally I would have thought that wooden wedges were more common in the 18th century, but who is to say that metal wedges were never used? James Anderson was described earlier in these pages as Williamsburg’s foremost blacksmith during the years when his shop occupied a lot on Francis Street. Several of his ledger books are still in existence, some of them treasured possessions of Colonial Williamsburg. Among endless entries covering the laying of axes, hoes, plows, and colters, appear others that show the less routine aspects of Anderson’s daily work: mending a poker; making a nut for a bolt of a chair (probably a riding chair); dressing two mill picks; mending a lock; altering 40 window hooks; making a hasp and staple for a henhouse; providing handle, wedges, and ring for a scythe; www.gutenberg.org/files/58318/58318-h/58318-h.htmBut this does not state metal or wood, it could be either. Original axe has had small square nails hammered in to the handle in the eye. www.furtradetomahawks.com/home.htmlKeith. |
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Post by artificer on May 21, 2020 11:25:28 GMT -7
Keith,
Thank you. I may be seeing an optical illusion/trick, but it looks like the helve has a wooden wedge besides the small square nails?
Back in the late 70's, I purchased one of the H&B Forge full size axes that has a tapered eye for the helve. I had a terrible feeling round grip that made it very difficult to properly index the strike of the blade edge. Further, the darn thing came loose after only a few well aimed cutting blows. Yet, one could see by the, I guess I'll call it indents or wear, that the helve was well fitted. I left the helve oversize above the axe head and I was glad I did. Within less than a year and that really only meant a dozen or so times in use, the helve was driven down flush to the top of the axe head and almost no further tightening was possible.
When I fit a new helve to it, I'm going to use a wood wedge at least, to try keeping it tighter for longer periods of use.
Gus
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Post by paranger on May 21, 2020 12:50:31 GMT -7
Keith, Thank you. I may be seeing an optical illusion/trick, but it looks like the helve has a wooden wedge besides the small square nails? Back in the late 70's, I purchased one of the H&B Forge full size axes that has a tapered eye for the helve. I had a terrible feeling round grip that made it very difficult to properly index the strike of the blade edge. Further, the darn thing came loose after only a few well aimed cutting blows. Yet, one could see by the, I guess I'll call it indents or wear, that the helve was well fitted. I left the helve oversize above the axe head and I was glad I did. Within less than a year and that really only meant a dozen or so times in use, the helve was driven down flush to the top of the axe head and almost no further tightening was possible. When I fit a new helve to it, I'm going to use a wood wedge at least, to try keeping it tighter for longer periods of use. Gus . I used an osage wedge in this hickory helve:  |
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