Hunting or Bag Axes: What would your design look like?

[Rasch Chronicles]

Hello fellows!

After looking at Barts well executed, I-was-just-fooling-around axe, I got to thinking. What would I want in a hunting/bag axe?

I like the overall length of Bart'a Axe. I also like the hammer poll, I think that's a practical idea. I would prefer a shorter head, more blade, and bearded so I could choke up on the handle and use the blade as a knife.

What do you guys think you would prefer?

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch In Afghanistan™
Scouting for Hogs, Chronicles Style!

[Curt Lyles]

Hello Albert,

Looks like Bart's making some pretty nice axes there.  Here's some that I've made over the years.  I forge mine out of L6 steel, or mild steel with a steel bit welded in, or gun barrel steel with a welded in bit.  I like the L6 best of all, but it's a lot harder to work.   I use the axes mainly for splitting kindling, working up a deer, squirrels and groundhogs.  I've found that any of them will do the job equally well ... except for the little tiny one.  I carry that one in my hunting pouch whenever I'm out hunting. 

Thanks for what you're doing there in Afghanistan. 

Curt

[Curt Lyles]

Curly ash and hickory are my favorite woods for handles.  Locust makes a good handle, also.  I do a scraped finish stained with nitric acid and a linseed oil / beeswax  finish. 

[B.Barker]

Here is one style I make. I'm like you, I like shorter blades. The shorter ones seem better balanced to me.

[BrownBear]

I've been totally frustrated carrying larger axes or hawks in the field.  They look cool and may be more "correct" to some folks, but they're just not practical because they're too big for convenient carry.  I'm not going to need one in a brawl or cut a cord of wood, much less build a cabin with any of them.  I need it for moose or elk, cutting a little brush for a quickie duck blind, or splitting kindling.

I got one of Bart's bag axes, and feel like I finally got what I need.  I've used it just enough to say it does the job, even if I got it too late for elk or moose dressing.  I can split the pelvis and rib cage of a deer with a pocket knife, so that's not a fair test of the axe.

I'll say one thing about a small axe.  It better be sharper than sharp if it's going to do the job.  I'd probably put more emphasis on the steel used, how it's sharpened, and carrying a small stone for touch up than I would any other design features.  Bart's sharpened up really well and is holding a great edge.  After that, shape and features are drawn from the hearts of the builder and user.

[B.Barker]

When having a axe made you need to let the maker know what you are planing to use it on. An ax is not sharpened or hardened the same as a knife generally. Most people want an axe blade soft enough to sharpen with a file and the cutting edge is slightly rounded for chopping. If you plan on using it for  jobs other than chopping and splitting let the maker know so they can deliver what you are looking for. Many times clients think builders read minds. They end up dissapointed sometimes with what the builder thinks the client wanted. What I want in an axe is not what every one else wants. I always try to find out what the person will be doing with an axe or knife before I make it.

[David Rase]

Hello Albert,

 I use the axes mainly for splitting kindling, working up a deer, squirrels and groundhogs.  I carry that one in my hunting pouch whenever I'm out hunting. 

Thanks for what you're doing there in Afghanistan. 

Curt

Curt, them must be some big squirrels in your neck of the woods if you be using a belt axe on um.
Dave

[hoochiepapa]

Just had this made for Christmas. Great for elk hunting. file for edge, forged in.

[Artificer]

When having a axe made you need to let the maker know what you are planing to use it on. An ax is not sharpened or hardened the same as a knife generally. Most people want an axe blade soft enough to sharpen with a file and the cutting edge is slightly rounded for chopping. If you plan on using it for  jobs other than chopping and splitting let the maker know so they can deliver what you are looking for. Many times clients think builders read minds. They end up dissapointed sometimes with what the builder thinks the client wanted. What I want in an axe is not what every one else wants. I always try to find out what the person will be doing with an axe or knife before I make it.

Excellent advice.  This is what is so great about "bespoke work" with someone who knows what he/she is doing.  Love your design.

Gus

[Rasch Chronicles]

Hey, Wow, thanks guys!

I had forgotten about this post and I'm really pleased to see so many folks thought about it!

Bart, thanks for the input, it makes perfect sense.

And thanks to everyone else that added their pictures and thoughts on the matter!

Best Regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
Scouting for Hogs, Chronicles Style!