What good is a Ranger, if he doesn't have the necessary tools or equipment for survival in the wild? I wouldn't want to be on a trek with him, that's for sure.
With that question in mind, I decided that I should probably carry a small camp axe in my kit, as I don't really want to drive shelter stakes in with the butt of my sword, or even worse, use the sword to cut and split firewood. Besides, in a pinch it could be used to split the skull of an orc or goblin, if pressed to do so.
That being said, I had already decided that not just any store-bought hatchet would do... it needs to have some kind of Middle Earth (Elve/Dwarves/Numenorian) aesthetic to it, it needs to look cool while being utilitarian.
Having watched a slew of YouTube videos on how to covert a mundane camp hatchet into a Viking-inspired weapon of choice, I decided to make my own using an antique carpenter's axe that I found on eBay (as I don't have a forge to make it from scratch), and a red oak stave from Home Depot for the haft.
What follows are a series of photos showing the process that I used to create my own custom ME-inspired camp axe, and the finished product.
Ranger camp axe project
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Ghostsoldier
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
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Ranger camp axe project
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"Nothing's forgotten."
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Ghostsoldier
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Re: Ranger camp axe project
Some beauty shots of the axe, with my by-knife. The wood-burned Tengwar handle inscription are my initials, "RHD".
Rob
Rob
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"Nothing's forgotten."
Re: Ranger camp axe project
Once again, Very Nice!
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Greg
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Re: Ranger camp axe project
Quite impressed by the re-grind on that axe head!
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
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Iodo
- Thangailhir
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Re: Ranger camp axe project
I love that! Nicely done 
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Re: Ranger camp axe project
That came out beautifully! And I’m with Greg; the whole final result of regrinding the head is simply gorgeous! Well done!
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
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Eothain
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Re: Ranger camp axe project
Agreed with what others have said! You did some serious work on this hatchet! The shape you worked the axe head into is stunning!
...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.