Trapper's Axe

Lin Rhea · November 10, 2011, 08:12:00 AM

I forged the head from a 1 1/2 inch round bar of L-6 X 3inches long. The haft I carved from Ash and Walnut.

DANA HOLMAN · November 10, 2011, 08:59:00 AM

Thats nice Lin, I have a piece of 1 1/2 bar, do you think i can make one with a hammer and anvil or do I need a big hammer? I dont want to beat my brains out, but would like to make one.
Dana

mater · November 10, 2011, 09:09:00 AM

You didnt get any photos of that in progess did you? I really like seeing what youve made and how. Thanks for sharing.

Roughcountry · November 10, 2011, 09:13:00 AM

I really like that one Lin. Any chace you got a few pictures of the progression?
I too would like to tackle one sometime down the road.

Ranger75 · November 10, 2011, 09:50:00 AM

Very nice.

Scott Teaschner · November 10, 2011, 11:25:00 AM

Lin I wish you where my next door nieghbor! Along with Tippit, Karl and a bounch of other great craftsman.
Scott

Lin Rhea · November 10, 2011, 11:30:00 AM

I was not sure if this would work with my tools so I was just trying to get it done. Here is one shot of it after it was forged.

Lin Rhea · November 10, 2011, 11:34:00 AM

One thing to remember. You have to have a few drifts made ahead of time before getting started on any head that has a pierced eye. Watch some videos and you'll also see that you, at least, need a striker if not a power hammer. I work alone most of the time, but I have a Power hammer. Wyatt helps me some too.

The drifts need to be fairly smooth so they wont hang up and rounded on the corners so cold shuts wont get started which are unsightly and cause the head to crack in the quench if you dont watch it close.

Roughcountry · November 10, 2011, 03:33:00 PM

Thanks Lin. My wife has a little experince as a striker, just not on metal.
Naw, better look for a power hammer I guess.

kansas stik man · November 10, 2011, 05:25:00 PM

how do you go about making drifts and what are they made of?

Lin Rhea · November 11, 2011, 08:36:00 AM

Robin you better be careful or this will be you.

Jerold, That's not easy to do. You have to know or imagine the eye hole shape of the piece you are working on and make the corresponding drift from medium/low carbon steel. It is tapered so as to drift or part and shape the eye while the tool is being driven through a hole that was previously punched or slitted. You have to remove it after a few seconds to cool the tool or it will get stuck or become a permanent part of the head. It will get so soft you brad it and you'll have to cut it out somehow.

Videos are your friends. Watch and get an idea of how and why. I dont have any photos yet. Maybe soon.

Lamey · November 14, 2011, 07:52:00 AM

i like that a bunch!