Tools
In Pursuit of the Forge Welded 3 lb. Viking-Style Hammer
On July 14, 2014 by jaustinI thought it would be an interesting challenge to develop a 3 pound version of the Viking style hammers I was working on a few months ago. Those hammers were in the weight range of 24 ounces and made excellent, small blacksmithing hammers. It seemed natural to try a larger version which was for more
Axes & Straight Blades
Axe-Forging Needs Constant Practice
On May 9, 2014 by jaustinIn a few days I will travel to England to demonstrate Viking style axe forging at the International Symposium of the Axe ‘n Seax in the shop of Owen Bush. This seminar is devoted to blades of the Anglo Saxon and Viking eras. I’ve already sent many of the tools and materials I need will
Tools
Developing a Process to Forge Viking-Style Hammers.
On May 8, 2014 by jaustinOver the last several months I have been practicing the forging of Viking style hammers with forge-welded faces and peens. I am gradually developing a set procedure and a set of proportions to make these beautiful hammers in various sizes. I have settled on using mild steel for the bodies and W1 steel for the
Axes & Straight Blades
Welding a Bit into the Type M Axe
On April 23, 2014 by jaustinI just welded a large, finely-layered, shear-steel bit into the Type M axe I have been working on. These pictures show the bit after it was fixed into a cleft in the wrought-iron axe body, then again after the welding was done. The edge is a little over 8″ long.
Axes & Straight Blades
Progress on a Type M Axe from Wrought Iron and Shear Steel
On March 21, 2014 by jaustinI thought I’d show some pictures of the progress I’ve made recently on a large Type M axe that I’m forging for a good customer from wrought iron and shear steel. A few weeks ago I posted about beginning to refine the wrought iron for this piece. I forged a billet for the axe which