How to Make a Hand Axe
Traditionally used for purposes of agriculture and crafting, the hand ax became a dominant weapon for northern Anglo and Celtic medieval cultures. Traditionally constructed "full tang," with blade and handle combined in one full piece of forged steel, this hand axe will serve you for many years to come.
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Things You'll Need
- Metal container for quenching oil
- 2 to 3 gallons of Canola oil
- 24-inch long, ¼-inch-thick steel saw blade
- Welding torch with rosebud and cutting tips
- Soapstone
- Grinding tool
- Safety gloves
- Safety goggles
- Fire extinguisher
Instructions
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1
Designate a safe area for working with fire and hot oils. Lay out your hatchet, soapstone and torch, as well as your quenching container filled with 2-3 gallons of canola oil. Place a fire extinguisher within reach in case of an accident and put on your safety goggles and gloves.
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2
Cut out the shape of your hatchet, including the blade, length and handle from the 24-inch steel saw blade. Make sure you are using a cutting tip when operating the welding torch. Ensure an extra one-eighth of an inch in thickness along the edge of your hand ax for grinding. Secure a smooth cut as you chisel the shape of your hatchet in order to prevent the cut steel from welding back together.
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3
Remove the cut portion from the original steel blade, being certain to wear gloves, and grind the entire outer surface of your hand ax mold at least one-eighth inch so as to remove heat-damaged or "decarborized" edges.
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4
Insert the "rosebud tip" on the welding torch and gently heat the blade area of your hand ax one inch along the blade. Your blade edge will begin to glow blue in color until progressing to a bronze-orange color.
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5
Ease off at the sight of any sparks to ensure carbon entrapment inside the steel edge. Exercise caution as the steel gradually brightens in color until the steel nears 1,500 degrees Farenheit. Hover a magnet over the orange color until the blade loses its "magnetism", at which point quickly place your axe head in the container of Canola oil. Let cool for two to three minutes while avoiding the flame and boiling oil.
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6
Remove the hand ax from the oil once three minutes have passed and very carefully begin to grind the head of the hatchet in order to create a silver finish. Remember: the axe head will now be as hard and brittle as glass following oil quenching, and could shatter if dropped.
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7
Carefully heat the rear, or dull portion of the hatchet head with your torch. Blue colors will begin to run towards the cutting edge, gradually becoming purple and gold. Quench the head once again in oil once the color turns bronze and let sit once more for two to three minutes with caution.
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8
Repeat step five as you remove the hand ax, polish and retemper the blade to a fine silver color. You will now have a fully complete hand ax, sharpened and ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice extreme caution when performing any welding of this sort. Dangers include boiling oil, oil fire and sparks, all of which can be ameliorated with safety clothing, goggles and gloves. Do not expose any skin while welding your ax.
