Axes & Straight Blades
Forging a Small Block Anvil
On July 15, 2014 by jaustinOne of my goals as a blacksmith is to forge my own version of a beautiful bickhorn that resides in the smithy in Bavaria where I did my apprenticeship. To accomplish this will take a lot of practice and planning. Last weekend I took a step in that direction by forging a 13 pound anvil
Axes & Straight Blades
Tools and Materials for Teaching Axe-Forging in Santa Fe
On July 15, 2014 by jaustinI’ve been busy forging special tools and preparing materials for the axe-forging class that I will be teaching at Helmut Hillenkamp’s blacksmithing shop in Santa Fe next week (July 25th – 27th). This is the first class that I will lead on the asymmetric wrap technique for forge welding Viking style axes. Wish me and
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
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