Bearded axe and Warhammer -- myArmoury.com

Toni R. · Posted: Thu 12 Apr, 2007 12:21 am Post subject: Bearded axe and Warhammer

Hello again..

Here are couple of pieces I made about a year ago, just wanted to share them with you other enthusiasts

So, the bearded axe is trying to raise some viking spirit with its looks. It is 66cm long, and weighs about one kilogram. I took a little shortcut in the making process I bought a cheap, LARGE axe(I think it was about 8€) and modified it into this. I used angle grinder to cut the shape, and belt sander to clean the surface, since it was covered with paint. The handle was also lacquered, and I sanded it clean. After sanding I dyed and waxed it. The blade quality is not much to talk about. While cutting it to new shape, I revealed some hollow points that were inside the blade Guess it was welded into one piece where ever mountainside it was made...

And on we go with the warhammer...It´s 73,5cm long and the weight is maybe a bit over one kilogram(haven´t measured). The "blade" is milled and sanded from mild steel. The langets(or what do you call them?) are also mild steel, and made of one piece, bended over the "blade". "blade" is riveted into its place through the langets. The langets are then riveted through the handle with four rivets, so the structure is quite durable. Handle is dyed ashwood. I have thought if that handle should have been a bit longer, since the front part is quite heavy...

I had the advantage to use proper tools making these things at my school workshop, so it didn´t take too long to finish them. I would eagerly want to test especially the warhammer with an old car or something as much as fun :lol:

Nick Winley · Posted: Thu 12 Apr, 2007 12:43 am Post subject:

Very nice!

Does the shaft of the warhammer extend through the head or is it just butted on top? How was it done historically?

Cheers,

Nick

Toni R. · Posted: Thu 12 Apr, 2007 1:03 am Post subject:

To Nick:

The shaft doesn´t go through the head, it´s just butted on top with the rivet going through. I thought about making a spike on the top, and it might have been a good idea to then install that spike through the head and into the shaft. Didn´t do it after all. The way I made it, the construction is quite strong, and there is not very much distress pointed to the shaft. The head also keeps firmly on its place.

I´m not quite sure, is this historically how accurate, but I remember that I have seen something like this...anyway, it works just fine ;)

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Sat 28 Apr, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject:

The axe came out very good congratulation. I love it.
But you said you just bought a wood axe and reshape it into a beard axe?

Joe Fults · Posted: Sat 28 Apr, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject:

Nice done it yourself projects.

Michael Douglas · Posted: Mon 30 Apr, 2007 10:06 am Post subject:

Cosidering your raw materials,
that bearded axe is beautiful! Congratulations. (I should know, I've seen many awful bearded axe abominations)
If you make the edge very sharp and reduce the edge-shoulder you can hold it 'inside' the beard and get a great planing action.

As for the warhammer I really like the simple head, I'd just shape the sides of the langets? to make them more handmade-looking, or even tapered from top to bottom.

Great work.

Toni R. · Posted: Tue 01 May, 2007 12:56 am Post subject:

Thanks.
To Etienne: Yes, it was a large wood axe that I reshaped with anglegrinder.

To Michael: Thanks for the tips. I also think that I could have removed some more material from the axe and make it a bit more lighter. And it´s true that the langets on the warhammer might have needed some more shaping. Guess I wanted to finish the piece as quickly as possible...also wanted to keep it simple. The hammer is quite heavy for it´s size(I think), so the shaping of the langets might have reduced the weight also. The weight gives a good swing and powerful hit, but it´s not too quick to handle.

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Tue 01 May, 2007 6:53 am Post subject:

Can you give me the measurements of the axe head? (lenght,width and weight)

Toni R. · Posted: Wed 02 May, 2007 4:59 am Post subject:

Etienne Hamel · Posted: Wed 02 May, 2007 2:34 pm Post subject:

thanks it'll help if i want to do some competition with your axe and my future creation! ;)

J. Pav · Posted: Wed 02 May, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject:

I am COMPLETELY in love with that axe.

Everything about it screams 'PERFECT' to my sense of aesthetics.

Toni R. · Posted: Thu 03 May, 2007 3:00 am Post subject:

Michael Mercier · Posted: Thu 03 May, 2007 11:50 am Post subject:

That axe is a great idea. I might have to try that myself. It looks really wonderful. Very smooth lines. You must have spent a lot of time on the grinder!

Mike

Toni R. · Posted: Thu 03 May, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

thanks again.

Actually it was quite easy to work with, and took maybe about 2-4 hours to finish. I grinded the basic form with a large angle grinder, and used a belt sanding machine to smooth the lines. When you do some work with an angle grinder and get familiar with it, it's actually very handy to work with.

-T

John H. · Posted: Sun 13 May, 2007 1:55 pm Post subject:

Toni R. · Posted: Mon 14 May, 2007 12:30 am Post subject:

John H. · Posted: Sun 20 May, 2007 11:37 am Post subject: