Nick Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 This is a great film of axe making in Sweden at the Wira factory. This guy knows his way around the anvil. Check out the jump weld around the 4:10 mark, instead of the inserted wedge method of welding the bit. Also the use of locked tongs and the horn and a fork to hold the head steady while filing near the end. http://www.euscreen.eu/play.jsp?id=EUS_11F056F290054E4E859759AAC04EA24B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Thanks for the link Nick, it's been posted on other fora and lists but I wasn't able to view it without subbing to the EU thing and I already get too much spam. The jump welded bit isn't the only thing he doe's differently. He forges the eye in a rectangular section till the very end. It's also a good reminder that axes vary quite a bit regionally, in the US we tend to prefer wider blades with more belly and that axe has a long narrow blade with little belly. No doubt the gentleman knows his business, every tool is at hand but out of the way. I see a lot to learn from the video, it's going into my library. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 Thats all quite wonderful. simple perfection through repetition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I can't get the link to work but it's probably this stupid Ipad I'm using. Oh well, maybe I'll be able to view it at my office... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I can't get it to work either?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chichi Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I thought the old boy was pretty good but then I noticed his thumb was not on top. No way he will last at this trade! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I have watched this a few times , that guy really has the moves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 The whole idea of making hawks, hand-axes and full axes has nibbled at me a lot lately. This is really helpful for technique. that little bump on the anvil to set the weld...wow, that really makes it look much less mystical. thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Fantastic video. I always get a kick out of watching a real pro work, and these guys were top of the line in the blacksmithing world. Definitely a lot to learn in the video. I'm gonna have to watch it a few hundred more times. When he started hammering in the heel of the handle socket around 8:27, I almost cried. Such precise hammer blows, moving the metal exactly how he wanted, and not screwing it up like I would..... absolutely brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chichi Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 But what about the thumb?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockstar.esq Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I noticed that he refined his weld several times before drawing out the edge. The elongated handle hole seems like it'd make a handle last longer. He really finessed that HUGE hammer depending on how he wanted to use it. It looked like it had a goodly long handle as well. I bet this guy could comb his hair with a yard rake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Nice. The only word for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 I thought the old boy was pretty good but then I noticed his thumb was not on top. No way he will last at this trade! What about the thumb? That's always been something that interests me. Some people have a thumb on the top, some don't. I noticed Yuri Hofi doesn't, but lots of his students do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Generally it's considered that the thumb on top of your hammer handle results in RSI and so NOT suggested. I believe chichi was making a little insiders' joke... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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