All I want for Christmas is...A Celtic-themed axe. (How could I make one?!)

DMS General
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Hey there, everyone! This topic is a pretty simple one, with what I’m sure is a complex result. As a huge history-buff, especially when it comes to medieval warfare and Germanic tribes, I could talk for hours and hours about it all. If I had the money, my bedroom walls would be lined with different swords, axes, armors, etc. Lately, my time at DMS has been much more plentiful. I’m up at the Space pretty often, even if just for a few minutes.

Now, I really need help. I know the task is simple in theory, but I have no idea where to begin, and I’d really love to learn.
The task in mind is a nice axe. While I would -love- for it to be a bearded axe, but I want to use it, so even if it ends up being used for splitting wood, I don’t mind.

I know it’s possible, but I wonder how one could make a design to be engraved into the metal axe-head, and the wood could be burned into the axe handle/grip. A prime example of what I want would look like this:

Beautiful, huh? Yeah. I’ve got thousands of photos like this lying around. Anyway, what I really need, is someone that knows how to do this. I figured DMS has to have at least ONE person that knows how. I understand that money spent in materials and time wouldn’t be too terribly small, but I figured having one very nice, personal axe hanging up on my wall, would be a gem of my collection.

If anyone here has ideas on how to design, engrave, burn, etc…Please let me know! The biggest challenge that I see about the whole project, would probably be in the actual axe head. Would we need to break out the blacksmithing equipment to get it done? Would it be better to find a rusty old axe head on Ebay or Craigslist, and clean/sharpen it? Whatever the challenge is, I’m willing to face, but this would be a dream come true.

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Hmm. The relief carvings in the flatish haft of the handle look suspiciously like vBit cuts to me, and it would be possible using a jig to do those on the CNC router. The metal… looks deep. Not sure about that.

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Here is an idea for your Axe Head.

Not as deep but would probably give you enough of a relief to fill with paint and sand the top back to bare metal.

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I reckon the heads are cast.

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Or route the desired pattern(s) into the wood and then cut and shape into handle.

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Here is one way…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBnRpc-4Mnc&sns=em

You could also use a Dremel tool to engrave the metal axe.

Would be a cool project to forge.

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If you want to get an old axe head and pound it out on the forge, count me in. I’ll build one too!

I think the handle could be hand carved and burned, wrapped and stitched in leather

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Honestly, I’d love it! My experience with the forge, dremel, laser cutters, and that kind of woodworking is a little lackluster. I’ve made simple furniture, spice racks, etc, but that’s about it. That’s why I need so much help. I’d be more than willing to pick up an extra axe head or two. They don’t seem to be super expensive. I’m eager to learn, I just don’t know how to get started. Cool video, by the way!

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Get ahold of Mitch and @Team_Blacksmithing and see if we can get the forge going or they would be willing to hold a class. They have an introductory blacksmihing class they might be doing again. You could take that and get some experience. I’m guessing a tank of propane and the forge could shape an old axe head. I’ve never done it before either, but I know I could do it. It would make a cool class too. Best way to learn is to do it.

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Yeah. I took the class a few weeks ago when they opened it back up. Still, the less than shoddy ‘S hook’ I made isn’t nearly as ambitious as this project. I’ll definitely look out for an open-forge day, and make sure to bring a couple of axe heads. After forging, I’m pretty sure things get easier. Laser-engraving a design into the metal, and burning the handle should be pretty easy. In theory.

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I agree, the forging will be the toughest portion to shape the axe the way you want it and then heat treating to get the cutting portion hard. From there, your design and engraving is up to your imagination. The handle would be awesome too. If it happens, I’ll do one for sure.

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I want to weigh in on this… but I have no clue how to accomplish that without engraving, and I couldn’t draw a stick.

When you figure it out, please teach me! I know a few folks that need one.

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Hi Justin,

In reading the above posts I’m not clear about what you really want. Do you care if the ax is hand forged or are you primarily interested in the Celtic patterning on the blade and handle? Do you want to make this yourself, or would you be willing to purchase one? There are many different ways to accomplish any or all of these things it just depends on what you want and have time to do.

Hi JRay, you are correct, you cannot get those deep embellishments without removing metal. In the case of the pictured pieces, it would really be more “carving” than “engraving.” I can tell you that carving metal by hand is not a particularly easy or fast process, so if you want to do that, be prepared to spend some time. It’s probably helpful to have some wood carving experience before trying it on metal, but not necessary.

Regards,
Sarah - the other Smith

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