First try at a bearded axe

[Nick]

Those are impeccable!  What are the dimensions of the eyes?

[VaughnT]

That is some seriously nice work, and the quality of the photography really sets it off.  The progression pics document the builds perfectly.  When my forge is back up and running, I can see me trying my hand at it.  Thank you very much.

[Matthew Paul]

The eye is marked out, 1 1/8" for the first side of the eye, 3/4" for the poll, 1 1/8" for the other side, and 1" for the scarf/weld.

[HIGHSIDER]

Great thread, thoroughly enjoyed going through it and studying the different phases..

 

Very well done & thanks for sharing

[Matthew Paul]

Thanks Highsider. I've finished two more since then.















 

[jeremy k]

Fine piece of work there Matthew

[Matthew Paul]

Thank you Jeremy.

[Rhettbarnhart]

You inspired me to forge my first axe today,thank you;your work is incredible!

[Matthew Paul]

Thank you Sir. Do you have any photos of it?

My work did not start out that way, and I can still improve a lot. But, practice pays off.

[Rhettbarnhart]

for some reason I cant put a link on but there are pictures on the thread"first axe"

[eggwelder]

you`ve set the bar for me. when i can achieve that level....those are beautiful tools

the forge welding is still eluding me 

[Norcal]

That is some lovely work,

The pics of your process are very nice too.

Thank you for posting them!  Seeing the process is helping me get my thoughts in order to try this in the future.

[Jon Kerr]

Sorry to resurect an old thread- but I found this incredibly helpful. The progression photos for your method of making a bearded axe are fantastic, thanks!

Can't wait to have the skill and tools to try this!

[Mike Thurston]

So since it was resurrected rather than welding in a high carbon bit would there be a drawback to making the entire head from 5160?

[Cavpilot2k]

On 1/10/2019 at 6:00 PM, Mike Thurston said:

So since it was resurrected rather than welding in a high carbon bit would there be a drawback to making the entire head from 5160?

It could definitely be done, but reasons not to include:

1: Not generally historically accurate to use high carbon for the whole head.

2: You'd need to temper the rest of the head pretty high to give it the toughness and shock resistance it should have. Not necessarily a reason not to do it, but it's just more work. Mild steel gives you that without doing anything to it. 

3: 5160 is more challenging to weld to itself. Definitely doable, but not as easy to get good, solid welds as mild steel or mild to HC.