Henry Rifle Forums

Last August I posted a thread showing the long-bearded, hand-forged Siberian / Slavic / Viking axe I wanted to get.

"The someday Siberian hand-forged Axe"
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5019

It was definitely a "someday" axe since I didn't have the funds then. And now that axe has been sold. Since the forger only creates originals, I wondered if I'd find one again that I liked.

Recently I received one of his marketing emails, which had some of his axes and knives listed at a reduced, sale price. Found another axe I liked, which is the same configuration as my first choice. However, there is one difference. The August axe had a 12" hickory handle (small version), and this axe has a 16" hickory handle (medium version). Ah, a larger-handled long beard with a 15% reduced price tag. It didn't take me too long to decide on getting it.

I've been gathering pennies since last summer (an axe fund), and as a December birthday gift to myself, I ordered this larger model. The axe arrived today, and I'm again impressed at this forger's skill building quality traditional tools; both his axes and knives. He didn't provide any specs other than the 16" handle length, and the steel blade measurement of 6-1/5". Definitely a very solid heft to it; I weighed it at 2-1/2 lbs. First use may be to chop up some small logs for a wood-burning firepit I'd like to get. That hopefully will happen late winter/early spring. Love to handle wood, and the warmth and smell of a wood fire is something I really enjoy in cool weather.

How many ways are there to photograph an axe? Not sure, but here are some amateur photos.
PT7

very nice .... I'm pretty sure that any Viking would be pleased with it .. .. it has the look of a throwing axe but I don't think I could bring myself to do so .... my major use for a hatchet is to split hickory chunks down to a size I like to use in our smoker .... yours would be great for that

Beautiful piece of work, heirloom quality.

Beautiful axe, PT7. It will be put to good use, I'm certain of it. Thanks for the great photos.

Thanks, Jim. Not quite sure what the "look of a throwing axe" is; could you explain? And did you ever throw axes? Hard to imagine what it would feel like to throw this heavy axe...

The only sharp "tool" I've ever thrown is a shuriken. It was really fun reading about them, and trying to master the throw. Actually used for a "target" the broad side of an old wooden barn at my son's-in-law property. And I never missed!

Almost forgot about this. When I was a kid, we threw knifes when we played the backyard game called "Stretch." So I guess that is kind of knife-throwing.

PT7

JEBar wrote:very nice .... I'm pretty sure that any Viking would be pleased with it .. .. it has the look of a throwing axe but I don't think I could bring myself to do so .... my major use for a hatchet is to split hickory chunks down to a size I like to use in our smoker .... yours would be great for that

we used to be members of a Black Powder Club that had as a side activity axe, knife, and hatchet throwing .... the looks of throwing hatchets varies widely .... as with so many things, it often boils down to a matter or personal preference

Beautiful piece, PT! Look forward to your throwing reports!

Thanks, ESquared. Yes, I like how sharp-looking this handmade axe is.

Nope, I'll definitely NOT throw this new axe. Just got into an interesting side chat with JEBar.
Best that I stick with chopping/splitting up small logs for a wood fire in a pit. Much safer for me and anyone standing near any throwing zone!!

ESquared wrote:Beautiful piece, PT! Look forward to your throwing reports!

Sweet looking axe. Looking forward to a report on how well it swings.

I remember playing stretched in Boy Scouts, with our pocket knifes, in tennis shoes. If you played that game, you know the consequences of missing your throw. Never happen in today's Scouts.