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curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:29 pm
by R.D.Metcalf
As one project ends another begins
This is an axe handle I've shaped from a block of curly maple. Shown here in its infancy and rough shaped. This handle has been entirely shaped with a farriers rasp and has now been hand sanded to 320 grit. When I get it down to 400 grit I'll begin raising the grain to prep for carving. The axe head is a Cold Steel battle axe, now discontinued and the haft is 32.5 long, long enough to allow plenty of embellishment as well as to be a very good chopper.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:44 am
by Peter Remling
As the pic was scrolling down, I found myself hoping the butt of the haft was contoured. Yeah and very nice!
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:42 am
by Willrett
Cant wait to see this one finished.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 1:03 am
by Eric C
Nice work R.D.! I am hoping to rehaft my ugly axe once it's not so ugly. And I will have one to do for my son. So, yes, I'm keeping an eye on this to see what you do with it.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:52 pm
by R.D.Metcalf
Finished pics
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:12 pm
by R.D.Metcalf
more pics
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:27 pm
by Willrett
wow that looks great, keep up the good work
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:37 pm
by R.D.Metcalf
Many thanks, Willrett.
The axe haft was carved with my usual horse and wolf theme with a stylized horse head carved on either side of the butt of the haft and the knotwork on one side terminates in a stylized wolf head. The runes are Anglo-Saxon with my initials RDM on the bit side of the haft and the axes' name "Biter" on the poll side of the haft.
On the practical side of things the head was fitted first and wedged and the handle shaped from there. The grip of the axe is is shaped for a comfortable grip with a swell for the palm and narrowing for the fingers in line with bit,for an accurate stroke, and is 12" long blending into the butt contour the top half of the haft is a rounded square with a bit more wood left up there for more heft in the cutting stroke.
The wood was finished with oil and topped off with beeswax polish, the pics really dont do this wood justice, this is truly a beautiful piece of New Hampshire curly maple
and it was a pleasure to see it come to life
I was really proud of this one because not only did the wood really come alive, it was completely done by hand and eye, no power tools, and the artwork free hand.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:51 pm
by kaelln
Wow! Truly impressive! I love the sword-sheild-axe grouping!
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:01 pm
by Greg
R.D.Metcalf wrote:more pics
ALRIGHT, already! I give up! You win! Fine...be that way!
Great stuff, man. Great stuff.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:36 am
by E.MacKermak
Nice work. Really beautiful stuff there.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:44 am
by Peter Remling
The carving on both pieces came out beautiful. Very nicely done!
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:47 am
by Kiriana
Those are just gorgeous! Very nicely done.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:03 pm
by Chris Russo
Aww, dagnabit, there goes my jaw. Could someone grab that before it gets stepped on, please?
Awesome work.
Re: curly maple axe handle WIP
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:45 pm
by mcapanelli
So ah yeah...... Wanna haft an axe or two for me?