I think I would look at the time period the axe came from 18th 19th century. I would think that like you they would have used them much harder then most people would use today. So I would think they would not have kept make that style of axe if it did not do a good job. Just my 2 cents.
Jerry, I add water to fill a 5 gallon bucket, plastic bucket. Don't use a metal bucket, the salt will eat it away. Be careful not to hit the side or bottom of the bucket with hot metal.
Thanks for the reply Wayne. My 14 year old son got an hc rr spike at a yard sale and wanted to make a knife. I know it is not the best steel to make a knife but we had fun forging it out. He still needs to clean it up, and then we will heat treat it.
Do a search for iron mounted long rifle/ flintlock. A lot of the southern and Virginia guns had iron trigger guards, butt plates and side plates, and yes you can forge them. Do a search on YouTube for Hershel House and maybe Ian Pratt. The American Longrifle (ALR) website too http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=6oem2v8n9f4tca9vutvifuopv2&board=2.0. Hope this helps.
I've been wanting to try one of these for a while- I got to it yesterday. I started with a piece of 1 1/2" x 1/4"x 10 1/2" hot rolled and then welded in a piece of leaf spring for the high carbon bit. The head weighs 3/4 lb. Any suggestion or comments are welcome as I'd like to make more. I have four boys and they have all ordered one! :D