As a part of my blacksmith apprenticeship I have to learn the basics of making knives, axes and other tools. I have just finished forging my first axe and knife and would love some feedback! Both are made in the traditional scandinavian way of fire-welding a piece of tool steel into a piece of mild steel, or between two pieces.

Since I am from Norway all the following measurements will be in millimetres

The knife is forged from a piece of 25 x 25 x 4 angle iron with a 60mm long piece of 20 x 4 tool steel in the middle. The tool steel only goes about 40mm into the handle, the rest is just the angle iron fire-welded together.

The axe is forged from a piece of 20 x 50 mild steel about 120mm long and a piece of 8 x 50 tool steel, about 45mm long.

Now that axe is a nice piece of work, I really like the lines. Fine work, and keep it up.

Jr.

Great stuff. Is the axe a wrap around style? Great work.

Bendik, that is nice work.
I'm hoping to make something similar soonish, but you're much further along than I.

Thank you very much everyone!

To Tyler: The hole for the shaft is split up. It's a bit of work, but in blacksmithing, what isn't? :)

Those are very good pieces for work! I can imagine how the ake cuts some wood for a good fire.

As a lover of axes/tomahawks/hatchets i must say GOOD JOB!!! haha reminds me of when my best friend accidently cut my hand with my hatchet a few years back! haha good times still got the scar

Great work on both items - my mother's side of the family is Danish so I am fond of axes, must be in the blood...I have always thought the Scandinavian styles to be pretty cool looking.

Beautiful ! I love the lines of the axe especially, but the little blacksmiths knife is very nice too. I love the traditional look of the forgewelded tool steel cutting edge and softer metal body. What sort of steel did you use ?

Jens

Again, thank you all very much for the kind words!

I couldn't find the AISI standard for the tool steel I used, but the Norwegian standard is NS 13840. It's quite similar to AISI O1 I think. The rest is just common construction steel.

Gorgeous work, i find it great that as an apprentice you do as good, if not better looking work than some master smiths.

ive yet to make a 'nice' axe/tomahawk/hatchet type item. but i have made several knives...tools are cool. they help you make, um, more tools(?)

Very nice work. I love the shape of that axe. What are the dimensions of the drift you used for the eye? Would it be possible to post a pic of the drift? Thanks. Todd

nice work Bendik, i like them both, i have a love for axes & knives myself, keep up the good work

Ron

Keep up the good work, I especially like the knife!!!

Thank you all.

Todd: Couldn't find the drift, but I made a quick drawing of it with the dimensions. It's made from steel with about 0.5% carbon.

Thanks for the dimensions on that drift. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

Love the axe Bendik, really top notch work man