Making Your Own Shear Steel is Entirely Possible
On December 5, 2013 by totumMaking shear steel from wrought iron is something I’ve been experimenting with for the last year. It’s a unique and fascinating process – and, it is entirely possible to do yourself! A few weekends ago, I taught a class that started with making shear steel, then using it to make a fire steel. In one
Oakland Axe ‘n Sax-in 2013
On October 31, 2013 by totumAs a blacksmith, it’s always a pleasure to travel to a convention and meet smiths from around the world. To be amazed and inspired by other peoples work, to try out new techniques, and sample some tasty homebrew. Isn’t that what life is about? For me it is. So it was a great pleasure to
A New Axe and a New Finish
On August 16, 2013 by jaustinI just finished an axe for a student in my Silver Overlay Class. I tried out a rust patina on this one and think that it suits it nicely. As usual the axe is forged in the asymmetric wrap technique from mild steel with a 1075 bit. I hope you like it!
Forge Welding an Axe Eye
On July 22, 2012 by jaustinAxes forged in the Viking era (and later) had eyes which were formed by wrapping a drawn-out shank around the back of the head and forge welding the resulting lap together toward the blade. In the following Youtube link you can see the welding process performed on an axe which has already been lapped together to
A New Forge-Finished Axe (sold)
On July 16, 2012 by jaustinI forged this axe in May but only finished polishing the edge last week. It is asymmetrically wrapped on the eye and has a high-carbon bit of forge-welded 1075. The dimensions are: Edge length 6.9″ (17.5 cm) Width of head 8.1″ (20.6 cm) Weight 770 grams (1 lb 11oz) This axe was purchased by