Axe

[James-G]

I worked on this one at the end of summer and fall. I finished it up about xmas , I want to do a bead drop on the handle but I have not found anything  I like ,So I am going to let it set for awhile.The cap is german silver that I silver solder the first time so I am realy proud of that.
Blade- Wrought iron.Bit 1095
Handle- Exrta curly maple
Handle finish. tru oil, With a rawhide handle grip with copper tacks





This is the edge after I choppes on a chinas Elm tree.

[maarty]

I LIKE IT!!!

Nothing too fancy but still functional and beautiful.


If you ever get tired of carting it round I'd be happy to hold it for ya. 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

How do ya get the dark colors and rings on the wood to show that well?

[James-G]

Steel horse I toasted the handle with a propane torch sanded it back down to get the white back then I put some danish walnut oil on it , Then finished it with couple coats of tru oil.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

OK - I've seen the torch method employed on large expanses of Pine plywood.  When we were patrolling the East-West German border from OP Alpha (near Rasdorf, Germany) we did a remodel of the OP-Center.  One of the guys  "decorated" the wood with a torch.

I wasn't sure if a torch got used on those handles or not, 'cause the lines are so fine.  Thanks for the info, James-G.

[Skyrider]

I use a piece of wire cable or and wrap it while very hot! I also use piece of steel to burn in certain shapes of marks etc. I too have several times used a small torch on certain projects. My grandfather was a blacksmith way back when and I love forging iron, making rakes, hoes etc.