I've done quite a bit of hewing with more modern broad axes (circa 1800's) and I would say your explanation is correct for having a curved up edge. If you didn't have the edge curved like that it the corner would tend to dig in instead of making thin slices like you want an axe like that to do. This project is very exciting! I have always wanted to have a hewing axe like that!
absolutely, having a curved edge helps limiting tool marks and gouges into the final surface. It also helps with the cutting by making the slicing motion smoother. Moreover, i believe that given the soft core material and length of the blade it helps with structural stability.
I suspect an axe this light, would be used frequently pulled down in a shearing cut, like a drawknife, as much as swung. I have a rather light, long bladed hewing hatchet that's probably the best shaving axe I have, it's a little too light for heavy hewing, especially on dry wood, but on light stuff on a chopping block I frequently find myself just using the weight of the tool and dragging it in a slicing cut with a bit of downward pressure as I pull it along the wood with a diagonal swiping motion to the arm, about a third up from the heal of the blade starts the cut, the swing ends down at the toe, and the elbow is far back. I'm somewhat choked up on the handle. Maybe just a short introductory swing till the edge meets the wood, then a pulling slicing motion to arm and blade and a pretty controlled peel slices off. I could see this axe might be even better at this, especially if indeed this was a ship builder's tool, slicing with the grain a plank already in place on the ship, or resting on horses.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedeby_Viking_Museum Edward is right (below). Hedeby (literally HeatherTown). ‘By’ in Danish means town, hence names like Grimsby, etc. in England are Viking settlements, too. Hedeby is located in the very northern part of Germany (Schleswig-Holstein) that has been going back and forth between Denmark and Germany throughout history. Great video(s). And right you are, Rowan, that only through the practical use of these tools can we glean how they might have been made. We have a similar historical movement in music in which original instruments are rebuilt and used for music of its respective period.
i don't mean to nit pick, but wouldn't it be easier to bend the blade around the horn so when you punch in the bevels the stretching of the steel will straight'n the blade back out? like you do with a knife.unless you're making a skinning knife. i think that's how the tip was done.i studied some collections in museums and such and the tip of the axe your making and what i was told was a lochaber axe had the same shape as a skinning knife.i don't know,but it would seem to me that that technique would be the more efficient as opposed to always flipping it over to straight'n the edge where it keeps stretching and shrinking.
You said "correct me if im wrong" so ill do: Hedeby is the danish name for the german Site Haithabu which is located in the very north of Germany. Great Work!
Though at the time, it was in Denmark, meaning that most Danes see the sites as danish, since it is also very close to Dannevirke, which was the border-wall
He didn't make it, the forge he works in is I think a couple hundred years old, that hearth is probably the same age as the building :) (with a modern air blower added at some point)
I don't recommend o1 tool steel for forge welding it can really screw up the carbon content of the o1 that is what I have learned through my 12 years of forging Damascus and pattern welded steels
I don't know if he meant to do it, but that could actually make it more like it would have been. The Vikings didn't have tool steel, instead they generally had to case harden their ironwork. For modern day smiths you're right, it is a dubious pairing of metals.
Always nice to see work of a real pro rise out of the blather from the sea of amateurs out there. Much appreciated!
You're one of the best mate, love the commentary you give while forging too.
Great job! Beautiful video :) Like your projects really much because they are really specific historical pieces that you wouldn't normally see on YT.
I've used axes of this pattern in some viking shipbuilding and I can co firm your assumption on the curved tip.
As always , well done. Love the video and thanks for sharing your knowledge
I've done quite a bit of hewing with more modern broad axes (circa 1800's) and I would say your explanation is correct for having a curved up edge. If you didn't have the edge curved like that it the corner would tend to dig in instead of making thin slices like you want an axe like that to do. This project is very exciting! I have always wanted to have a hewing axe like that!
absolutely, having a curved edge helps limiting tool marks and gouges into the final surface. It also helps with the cutting by making the slicing motion smoother. Moreover, i believe that given the soft core material and length of the blade it helps with structural stability.
I suspect an axe this light, would be used frequently pulled down in a shearing cut, like a drawknife, as much as swung. I have a rather light, long bladed hewing hatchet that's probably the best shaving axe I have, it's a little too light for heavy hewing, especially on dry wood, but on light stuff on a chopping block I frequently find myself just using the weight of the tool and dragging it in a slicing cut with a bit of downward pressure as I pull it along the wood with a diagonal swiping motion to the arm, about a third up from the heal of the blade starts the cut, the swing ends down at the toe, and the elbow is far back. I'm somewhat choked up on the handle. Maybe just a short introductory swing till the edge meets the wood, then a pulling slicing motion to arm and blade and a pretty controlled peel slices off. I could see this axe might be even better at this, especially if indeed this was a ship builder's tool, slicing with the grain a plank already in place on the ship, or resting on horses.
Love your videos. Also, someone should contact the PGA. Your voice would be perfect for watching golf.
Fantastic work!
Looks great can't wait
Proper job! Cheers Rowan.
can you do a video on where to get the iron and steel you use in your videos
maybe the curve is there to be able to pull it out of the wood more easily if the axe got stuck.
yes another tool can't have too many especially if it gets used thank for the video
YES NEW PROJECT!'
awesome buddy!!
Very Nice Video You Definitely Have Skill.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedeby_Viking_Museum
Edward is right (below). Hedeby (literally HeatherTown). ‘By’ in Danish means town, hence names like Grimsby, etc. in England are Viking settlements, too.
Hedeby is located in the very northern part of Germany (Schleswig-Holstein) that has been going back and forth between Denmark and Germany throughout history.
Great video(s). And right you are, Rowan, that only through the practical use of these tools can we glean how they might have been made.
We have a similar historical movement in music in which original instruments are rebuilt and used for music of its respective period.
i don't mean to nit pick, but wouldn't it be easier to bend the blade around the horn so when you punch in the bevels the stretching of the steel will straight'n the blade back out? like you do with a knife.unless you're making a skinning knife. i think that's how the tip was done.i studied some collections in museums and such and the tip of the axe your making and what i was told was a lochaber axe had the same shape as a skinning knife.i don't know,but it would seem to me that that technique would be the more efficient as opposed to always flipping it over to straight'n the edge where it keeps stretching and shrinking.
Very nice, once again.
Great video!
It may possibly be a hook to move the heavy logs if it was sharper and a little more pronounced, although your theory seems more likely correct.
You said "correct me if im wrong" so ill do: Hedeby is the danish name for the german Site Haithabu which is located in the very north of Germany. Great Work!
Though at the time, it was in Denmark, meaning that most Danes see the sites as danish, since it is also very close to Dannevirke, which was the border-wall
thank you
Rowan, do you have any videos or images showing how you made your forge?
He didn't make it, the forge he works in is I think a couple hundred years old, that hearth is probably the same age as the building :) (with a modern air blower added at some point)
another amazing video.
are you James Blunt? 😜
well done
I don't recommend o1 tool steel for forge welding it can really screw up the carbon content of the o1 that is what I have learned through my 12 years of forging Damascus and pattern welded steels
I don't know if he meant to do it, but that could actually make it more like it would have been. The Vikings didn't have tool steel, instead they generally had to case harden their ironwork. For modern day smiths you're right, it is a dubious pairing of metals.
Do you mean the Vikings " "City" Haddeby ? That's in Germany
+steppenwolf Oh alright are you from Germany because of your name I'm am
Als ge nog geen nageltje in de muur kunt slagen 😜