Attachment: 31.73 KB
Share your longaxes and daneaxes here and also your experiences with them! I've been hmm'ing and haww'ing for a while about getting a good custom one as well, so any info on sub $350 axes would be awesome! I don't have one at the moment, but here's probably one of my favorites, a nice type L or M I presume. (It's a Jim Austin)
Attachment: 31.73 KB
Attachment: 31.73 KBBKS Bardiche mounted by me on the haft and with a textured lightly stained and pitted patinated and repolished finish.
The Bardiche is a later evolved Dane Axe, or at least fills the same tactical and using characteristics of a Dane Axe popular in Russia in the 16th century and other parts of Eastern Europe.
It does have some limited thrusting ability but a bit more than the Dane Axes top horn: What it lacks in narrow pointiness it makes up in the wide cutting length of even a shallow thrust and the pointy end should be able to make some scary tip cuts passing right through a target where the top part of the blade extends beyond the end of the haft.
No I haven't tried to do test cutting with it due to having no room to set up a test at home with a postage stamp sized back yard, not to mention freaking out neighbors and all the negative attention that might bring in a big city. ;) :lol:
Attachment: 92.26 KB
Attachment: 107.11 KB
Original finish before the lemons juice dijon mustard acid etch.
Attachment: 118.65 KB
Also before re-finishing.
Attachment: 120.32 KB
After re-finishing.
Attachment: 100.02 KB
Close up of finish.
Attachment: 115.12 KB
Extreme close up of finish.
The Bardiche is a later evolved Dane Axe, or at least fills the same tactical and using characteristics of a Dane Axe popular in Russia in the 16th century and other parts of Eastern Europe.
It does have some limited thrusting ability but a bit more than the Dane Axes top horn: What it lacks in narrow pointiness it makes up in the wide cutting length of even a shallow thrust and the pointy end should be able to make some scary tip cuts passing right through a target where the top part of the blade extends beyond the end of the haft.
No I haven't tried to do test cutting with it due to having no room to set up a test at home with a postage stamp sized back yard, not to mention freaking out neighbors and all the negative attention that might bring in a big city. ;) :lol:
Attachment: 92.26 KB Attachment: 107.11 KBOriginal finish before the lemons juice dijon mustard acid etch.
Attachment: 118.65 KBAlso before re-finishing.
Attachment: 120.32 KBAfter re-finishing.
Attachment: 100.02 KBClose up of finish.
Attachment: 115.12 KBExtreme close up of finish.
Last edited by Jean Thibodeau on Mon 29 Oct, 2012 4:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
Here are some axe heads by BKS available at Kult of Athena at below $350.
They are heat treated and the sharp ones ( Optional ) seem to be well hardened and can take a hair popping edge.
http://www.kultofathena.com/bks.asp
Direct from BKS: Home page, http://imakeswords.com/index.htm
Axe and Pole arm page: http://imakeswords.com/axes.htm
A&A: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/pole024.html
Smaller axes but with hardened edges: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/custom944.html
Scroll down to axe at bottom of page: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/limitededition.html
Some A&A axes also available from Kult of Athena:
http://www.kultofathena.com/armsarmor.asp
They are heat treated and the sharp ones ( Optional ) seem to be well hardened and can take a hair popping edge.
http://www.kultofathena.com/bks.asp
Direct from BKS: Home page, http://imakeswords.com/index.htm
Axe and Pole arm page: http://imakeswords.com/axes.htm
A&A: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/pole024.html
Smaller axes but with hardened edges: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/custom944.html
Scroll down to axe at bottom of page: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/limitededition.html
Some A&A axes also available from Kult of Athena:
http://www.kultofathena.com/armsarmor.asp
| Jean Thibodeau wrote: |
| BKS Bardiche mounted by me on the haft and with a textured lightly stained and pitted patinated and repolished finish.
The Bardiche is a later evolved Dane Axe, or at least fills the same tactical and using characteristics of a Dane Axe popular in Russia in the 16th century and other parts of Eastern Europe. It does have some limited thrusting ability but a bit more than the Dane Axes top horn: What it lacks in narrow pointiness it makes up in the wide cutting length of even a shallow thrust and the pointy end should be able to make some scary tip cuts passing right through a target where the top part of the blade extends beyond the end of the haft. No I haven't tried to do test cutting with it due to having no room to set up a test at home with a postage stamp sized back yard, not to mention freaking out neighbors and all the negative attention that might bring in a big city. ;) :lol: |
Wow, that sure is a beauty! I really like the finish, adds a lot of character. BKS is an awesome company, I own their small combat sax and the thing is spectacular. Thanks for the info as well, I like the A&A Danish war axe, but I was looking for something a bit more upswept type L deal and when I contacted A&A for a price quote it was $385 minimum :eek: I wonder if BKS could do a nice type L... :cool:
If you want a really good dane axe that incorporates all the volumes, shapes and proportions of original axes you probably need to turn to a skilled smith that has taken the time to study originals enough to know what to strive for and who has the technique to shape the material accordingly.
It is not going to cost 350 USD.
At this price level you will have to look at willing amateurs who can work for nearly free (hit or miss quality-wise) or a good production company that can come at least close to these weapons with modern production methods (very few options: I can only think of A&A that makes something that comes close to decent given the limitations of the production process and the situation of the market).
Since the appreciation of axes is rare today and knowledge about them is generally low, you see little push from consumers for better products on the market. Instead the push is for cheap options. That makes for products that are classified by short cuts and compromise rather than an actual likeness to the real thing.
If you want a good axe, you will not go wrong with Jim Austin. There might well be other potions, but he is really very good at this and has spent a lot of time and effort in getting both forging techniques as well as form and proportions right. I am proud to own two of his axes and find them very inspiring pieces of workmanship.
Quality wins over quantity. If you find yourself fascinated by these weapons, I think you will find it worth saving for a good one. Ask the maker for his best work, not his best price, and you will be more satisfied.
It is not going to cost 350 USD.
At this price level you will have to look at willing amateurs who can work for nearly free (hit or miss quality-wise) or a good production company that can come at least close to these weapons with modern production methods (very few options: I can only think of A&A that makes something that comes close to decent given the limitations of the production process and the situation of the market).
Since the appreciation of axes is rare today and knowledge about them is generally low, you see little push from consumers for better products on the market. Instead the push is for cheap options. That makes for products that are classified by short cuts and compromise rather than an actual likeness to the real thing.
If you want a good axe, you will not go wrong with Jim Austin. There might well be other potions, but he is really very good at this and has spent a lot of time and effort in getting both forging techniques as well as form and proportions right. I am proud to own two of his axes and find them very inspiring pieces of workmanship.
Quality wins over quantity. If you find yourself fascinated by these weapons, I think you will find it worth saving for a good one. Ask the maker for his best work, not his best price, and you will be more satisfied.
| Peter Johnsson wrote: |
| I you want a good axe, you will not go wrong with Jim Austin. There might well be other potions, but he is really very good at this and has spent a lot of time and effort in getting both forging techniques as well as form and proportions right. I am proud to own two of his axes and find them very inspiring pieces of workmanship.
Quality wins over quantity. If you find yourself fascinated by these weapons, I think you will find it worth saving for a good one. Ask the maker for his best work, not his best price, and you will be more satisfied. |
As much as it pains me too pay that much for an axe, I think you're right. I have heard so much praise of his work, and have even watched a video of him forging one, quality over price is the best option. I'd love to see some pictures of those axes you mentioned. :D
You may find some useful info in this thread I made when I was in a process of ordering a custom Dane axe:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...highlight=
And here is the result of it:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...highlight=
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...highlight=
And here is the result of it:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...highlight=
| Peter Johnsson wrote: |
| If you want a really good dane axe that incorporates all the volumes, shapes and proportions of original axes you probably need to turn to a skilled smith that has taken the time to study originals enough to know what to strive for and who has the technique to shape the material accordingly.
It is not going to cost 350 USD. At this price level you will have to look at willing amateurs who can work for nearly free (hit or miss quality-wise) or a good production company that can come at least close to these weapons with modern production methods (very few options: I can only think of A&A that makes something that comes close to decent given the limitations of the production process and the situation of the market). Since the appreciation of axes is rare today and knowledge about them is generally low, you see little push from consumers for better products on the market. Instead the push is for cheap options. That makes for products that are classified by short cuts and compromise rather than an actual likeness to the real thing. If you want a good axe, you will not go wrong with Jim Austin. There might well be other potions, but he is really very good at this and has spent a lot of time and effort in getting both forging techniques as well as form and proportions right. I am proud to own two of his axes and find them very inspiring pieces of workmanship. Quality wins over quantity. If you find yourself fascinated by these weapons, I think you will find it worth saving for a good one. Ask the maker for his best work, not his best price, and you will be more satisfied. |
Great to hear Peter, as I am working with Jim to produce such a weapon in bloomery iron and sheer steel. It is taking some time, but I am really looking forward to seeing this project move towards completion.
That you own two of his axes and admire the work. What more praise can one want?
Page 1 of 1
You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
All contents © Copyright 2003-2006 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Full-featured Version of the forum
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Full-featured Version of the forum