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John H.
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 Posted: Thu 29 Nov, 2007 12:02 am Post subject: The Horseman's Axe (my first attempt)... |
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I was inspired earlier this year by THIS thread from 'Toni R'. I already had an angle grinder, so I began casually searching for an axe to use as a starting point.
A few weeks ago I went to a local estate sale, where I found a very old double-sided axe that was in pretty bad shape (& affordably-priced as well). The handle was present but snapped off, & the axe-head itself was broken in the corner (I only have a crappy cellphone pic of the original state, as I wasn't sure I would be using this piece for anything):
Because of the damage on the axe-head, I decided to try my hand at creating a 'Horseman's Axe'. I figured that I could make use of the shortened piece of the original handle, & grind the head into a pleasing, yet functional shape. In addition, there seemed to be so many different designs (historically-speaking) with regards to the shape of the axe-head on these weapons, that I could use my imagination a bit. I probably drew up a dozen designs for the axe-head before I settled on this configuration (which is slightly different than any I have ever seen in ancient/medieval or even modern replicas). I shortened the handle to 24 inches, & re-installed it. I liked the natural color of the wood (hickory), so I just sanded off the old finish & cleaned it with a wood cleaner/treatment (which darkened it slightly). I'm pretty happy with the results:
Thanks for looking! 
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M. Eversberg II
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| Posted: Thu 29 Nov, 2007 12:11 am Post subject: |
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That is one awesome axe.
M.
This space for rent or lease.
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Gary A. Chelette
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| Posted: Thu 29 Nov, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject: |
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Nice work. That must have been a lot of grinding!
Are you scared, Connor?
No, Cousin Dugal. I'm not!
Don't talk nonsense, man. I peed my kilt the first time I went into battle.
Oh, aye. Angus pees his kilt all the time!
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Allen Andrews
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| Posted: Thu 29 Nov, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thats pretty cool! Wicked beak 
" I would not snare even an orc with a falsehood. "
Faramir son of Denethor
Words to live by. (Yes, I know he's not a real person)
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Shayan G
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| Posted: Thu 29 Nov, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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It has an exotic look, like a Bat-a-rang and an axe had a child. Nice design!
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Thu 29 Nov, 2007 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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I might add bevels to the beak on the outside and inside of the hook/beak. These could be fairly obtuse in angle for robustness
i.e. not very sharp, but the geometry would improve armour piercing qualities and also look good aesthetically.
Just a suggestion, but very nice work as it is now.
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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John H.
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| Posted: Thu 06 Dec, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Gary A. Chelette wrote: | | Nice work. That must have been a lot of grinding! |
Aye. It took about 16 hours total (over 4-5 days), & I wore down 4 cutting wheels to basically nothing in the process. 
Thanks!
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D. Michael McIntyre
Location: USA Joined: 12 Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Mon 10 Dec, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Jean Thibodeau wrote: | I might add bevels to the beak on the outside and inside of the hook/beak. These could be fairly obtuse in angle for robustness
i.e. not very sharp, but the geometry would improve armour piercing qualities and also look good aesthetically. |
I second that motion. This is very nice as it stands now, but this bevel you suggest would be the perfect finishing touch.
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Etienne Hamel
Location: Granby (QC) canada Joined: 09 Sep 2006
Posts: 443
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| Posted: Wed 12 Dec, 2007 8:32 am Post subject: |
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Nice axe! you are getting me creative!
but i will probably do a double bladed beard axe or something like that.
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Ross McCarthy
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| Posted: Wed 12 Dec, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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Pretty good for a first attempt old son !
R. McCarthy
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John H.
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| Posted: Wed 12 Dec, 2007 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the positive comments everyone!
| D. Michael McIntyre wrote: | | Jean Thibodeau wrote: | I might add bevels to the beak on the outside and inside of the hook/beak. These could be fairly obtuse in angle for robustness
i.e. not very sharp, but the geometry would improve armour piercing qualities and also look good aesthetically. |
I second that motion. This is very nice as it stands now, but this bevel you suggest would be the perfect finishing touch. |
I have no doubt that you both are correct about beveling the beak. However, all the grinding on this piece was done before I mounted it on the handle. I plan to do some more axes in the future, & I'll definitely be applying the suggestion to later pieces.
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Wed 12 Dec, 2007 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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| John H. wrote: | Thanks for the positive comments everyone!
| D. Michael McIntyre wrote: | | Jean Thibodeau wrote: | I might add bevels to the beak on the outside and inside of the hook/beak. These could be fairly obtuse in angle for robustness
i.e. not very sharp, but the geometry would improve armour piercing qualities and also look good aesthetically. |
I second that motion. This is very nice as it stands now, but this bevel you suggest would be the perfect finishing touch. |
I have no doubt that you both are correct about beveling the beak. However, all the grinding on this piece was done before I mounted it on the handle. I plan to do some more axes in the future, & I'll definitely be applying the suggestion to later pieces. |
Probably easier to do on an unmounted head but it should be doable even mounted with a handheld angle grinder or dremel tool or workbench mounted belt grinder: All depends on your comfort level and skill doing this freehand.
Anyway, nice as is.
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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This is a standard topic