Trilliumforge Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Hi folks, I'm working on the handle for a new axe. It's my second attempt at an axe, and I'm pretty happy with how this one went. It's forged from a single piece of 4140 (scrap piece from the metal supplier). I'm going to do some copper wire inlay in the channels I've cut into the handle, but I'm not sure what colour I should stain it before I do. I'd like something that contrasts with the black steel and the copper. Any suggestions? Part of me is thinking blue, or a medium brown that leans towards yellow. Let me know what you think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I really like that axe head, the fit and finish on it looks very good from here. All of the wire-into-wood inlay that I have ever seen was done by cutting the channel with a very sharp, thin chisel, and then hammering thin, flat strips of wire into the gap. The wire strips are usually as wide, or even wider at the bottom than at the top, in order for the wood to swell shut and hold them in place. Joe Keeslar has a DVD out on the subject, and there are several threads on the subject in the knifemaker forums. I could not tell you how to get round wire to stay in those wide, shallow channels. I would suggest trying it out on a few scrap pieces until I got the technique down pat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aden Cassidy Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 For inlay and some other things similar try engravers cafe website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Really nice job on the axe I haven't a clue on the inlay It does seem to me that if its a user the inlay will really have to be secure to withstand the shock of chopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trilliumforge Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Thanks everyone! I took a few more pictures of the axe head. It still needs to have an edge put on it, but I'll do that when I'm done with the rest. http://s8.postimage.org/qlg19ji91/IMG_0631.jpg http://s8.postimage.org/l3iu7zxnp/IMG_0630.jpg http://s1.postimage.org/vfvcf5i1r/IMG_0629.jpg http://s7.postimage.org/simqfqluj/IMG_0628.jpg I think I have my plan for the inlay (like this: http://s9.postimage.org/50eol0fe7/IMG_0618.jpg), but I'm really curious about what people would recommend for a colour for the stain to contrast the heavy copper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Is this going to be a using axe or just a display piece? If a using axe put the copper further down the handle where the impact won't jar it loose over time and perhaps go over your channels with a hot iron for wood burning decoration. (Or fill them with coloured enamel paint) How about a red stain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBruno Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I'd go for a nice Yellow for sure. With that nice pattern but the copper might not show that well in the yellow. Is there any way you could stain the inlay grooves beforehand maybe a black or brown? That might highlight around the copper and make it pop a little more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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