[TheForge] Don't laugh too loud

Mon May 20 23:17:01 2002

I've never made an axe but every example I have seen was folded over 
and  welded.   Usually the body is made of mild steel  and piece of high 
carbon steel is welded in for a cutting edge.

I dont have a power hammer and welding is what I depend upon to avoid heavy 
work.  Upsetting a piece of tool steel  like that, by hand, by yourself - 
well it's a job for Thor.

A comment about upsetting:  I find that fast blows with a lighter hammer 
are more effective.

If you  are determined to make an axe from one piece without welding, why 
not start with a thick piece of tool steel , like a piece of rail cut off 
the web of a RR track?  Best to wait for the RR crew to break for lunch 
before torching their tracks - they can get pretty grumpy if they see you 
doing this.

Adam

At 04:59 PM 5/20/2002 -0700, you wrote:
>Hope for a little advice from you guys (male and
>female) for a little problem with smiting.
>
>I've been pounding out knives and the occasional sword
>for a couple of years but I thought I'd try my hand
>with an axe. I used a leaf spring, 1/2" X 3" and tried
>to upset for a handle. What I got was either cold
>shuts or when I pounded out during the process of
>trying to upset, it got too long and not enough thick
>enough for a handle.
>
>All this was done by hand, so you know I have a sore
>arm. Couldn't pick up the 6# hammer at the end and
>tried to use the 4#. I'll try again tomorrow.
>
>Thanks, Lynn
>
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