scjohnson243 Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 So I got a really good deal on some railroad spikes, and my son has been asking me to make him a "throwing" axe. I took out a spike and gave it a shot yesterday. I was planning on using the spike head as the blade end, but there is not a lot of metal there to make a decent sized axe head - does anyone make these out of railway nails? I have thought of cutting the top of the nail in "half" and inserting a nice piece of steel in the end and welding them together to give it more material to get a good, broad blade out of it. Anyway, anyone tried this? how has it worked? Will try a google search and see what I can find, but so far you guys are my first choice to get info from! :) Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scjohnson243 Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share Posted March 20, 2013 In looking at this http://www.etsy.com/listing/76455554/hand-forged-railroad-spike-tomahawk I guess I should just forge the "head" out of the other end of the spike? I was hoping for a bigger edged side, but... I dunno! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Paul Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 That sounds like it would work, slitting and welding in a bit. Maybe upset the stock for the eye section or do a wrapped eye so that there was more material for the eye to support the head on the haft? Just some thoughts... Ive never worked with spikes before, although I do have a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 there are a few of them posted in this section too :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 An old post, sure he figured it out by now but there are also steps on anvilfire #12 that details how to make one as was wanted. Here's the one I made using those steps. I haven't cleaned it up or sharpened it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG231 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Frisse Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 This was the first ax design I had ever tried my hand at, because like you, I scored a sweet deal on some RR spikes. I found this article on anvilfire.com by Bill Epps. I upset the spike end to give myself more material to work with, then split and opened up the eye. Afterwards, I started drawing out the material using a fuller, then a cross peen, and finally a rounding hammer. Hope this helps! Here's the first one I did. Not the cleanest, but still my favorite piece I've done. I like a bearded look on stuff I forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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