I was wondering if one of you knows if its necessary to do heat treating on axes or if it's just for the swords and knives.

any help would be appreciated.

And if i do like Tony R.(I really loved your axe man i want to do it) is it necessary?
check this link if you want to know what i mean: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9757&highlight=

I too was impressed by Toni R's axe head and have started work on one in a similar fashion. I have come to the point where I want to reshape the hole for the shaft into a rounder section. My question is: If I start pounding on an old axe head without annealing it am I likely to snap it in two, or is it not likely to be that brittle?

having written this I guess the obvious answer is better safe than sorry.

Nick.