Poll Axes...Tomahawks?...who...?

[J1776]

Looking for a well made, historically accurate, hand forged and well priced poll axe and tomahawk.

I've seen DeLeronde Forge,...Beaver Trading Company,...Old Dominion forge as well as others.  Prices vary all over the board. 

How do they stack up against each other?... are DeLeronde's axe's good?....etc. etc.

What about craftsman on the forum that are lurking but making axes fitting the criteria I've requested?
I'm looking for a well made COMPLETELY USABLE axe, hand forged.

Thanks in advance.

[rich pierce]

There are great makers; it comes down to preference. It can give sticker shock but I try to ask myselfd what 10 hours (minimum) of my best work is worth.  Another good guy for edged tools is Ken Hamilton but he doesn't seem to do fancy.

[smokinbuck]

Jship,
Look into H&B Forge.
Mark

[Ahtuwisae]

H&B forge, RE Davis, and Reaves Goehring all have nice Histoical pieces.

[J1776]

I really want something hand forged rather than pumped out in mass quantities.  $70-$125?...
Nothing cast,...

I'll check them out...

[Ahtuwisae]

Hand forged may be a challenge in that price range.  You could check with Todd Bitler.  he does some really nice pieces.  here is his site

http://www.nativeworkshop.com/tomahawks.htm

this page has a real nice Silver Inlaid Poll Ax he did on a commission and I am sure he can work in different price ranges.  Contact info:

Todd Bitler, Living Historian and Artist
PO Box 59 Amanda, OH 43102
toddbitler@yahoo.com

[J1776]

Well,... here's what I found personally..

http://www.delarondeforge.com/axes_and_tomahawks.htm


and...

http://www.beaverbill.com/pollshawks&axes.htm

both people seem to be hand forging their wares?

[Chuck Burrows]

Check out Stuart Willis's work at http://www.swillisforge.com/
He's who makes the heads for my work and they are top rate yet very affordable.

Joe Delaronde's work is also good but he can be slow due to his work with the military

The above two folks work I can attest to personally - Beaver Bill is also good but I know his work only through reputation.

[dannybb55]

 How large is the poll ax that you want. and how complicated is the tomahawk?
Forging out a small belt with a sound weld and a nice piece of carbon steel in her in the manner that 99 % were made for the trade is not a real problem, Making a polished presentation job that you would be afraid to use is expensive. A simple Biscay hatchet, which is what round eyed tomahawks are, are very simple to do and require few tools and materials. A felling ax is just a matter of scale, An American pattern is a fair bit of work.
 I would be interested to do the small one as a test article for further work on the larger. Maybe we could trade for some surplus goods that you may have? Coin is short in the colonies. Send me a message.
                                                        Danny

[Kelhammer]

Here is a pic of my "Beaver Bill Hammer Poll."
It is a work horse to say the least.
I do as much of my spring tree trimming with it as possible.
I smile every time I swing it.  


Andrew

[J1776]

Andrew,.. is the knife also a Beaver Bill piece?  Very nice whomever it is that crafted it.

[smylee grouch]

I just got a small pole ax from Bart who advertised in this forum just a couple of weeks ago. I like the ax I got alot.

[David Rase]

I can personally attest to the quality of Joe DeLaronde's work.  I have had one of his spike tomahawks for about 10 years and use it for any job from limbing trees to killing chickens.  It just feels right in my hand.
DMR

[G-Man]

There are a lot of good ones - anohter one you might want to check is Nathan Allen of Noblesville Indiana - often has nice pieces for sale on the CLA site and I think he gives a lot of quality for the money.

Guy

[Kelhammer]

The knife is by "Beaver Bill" as well.  I like them both, but still need to get them into some leather.  
You can see his mark on both pieces in the picture.

Andrew

[Capt Mike]

All my edge weapons are from Kyle Willyard of Old Dominion Forge. The lad knows steel.

Capt Mike

[Luke MacGillie]

All my edge weapons are from Kyle Willyard of Old Dominion Forge. The lad knows steel.

Capt Mike

Indeed!  The only blades I carry are Glen McClain or Kyle's, or on a rare occasion a Sid Birt. 

I guess im just a "Regionalist" who prefers blades made in Brown or Greene Counties

[jr]

Every now and then, for inspiration, i go to his (Kyle's)website to the "shop tour " section to stare at his forge constructed of brick.

[cmac]

Mold and Gun Shop: Larry Zorne has some nice polled hawks. They are actually cast and forged but I know several people that have em and like em and price is good

[dannybb55]

Brick forges are nice but a wooden forge really impresses the public.

[Collector]

Tim Ridge (Swamp Fox Knives) is my favorite guy working steel and currently (as in this minute) has a few tomahawks and hand axes for sale and of course some knives. 

Go this link and "Currently for sale... Pg. 4"

http://www.swampfoxknives.com/

Tim is a straight-up guy to deal with and his products, of which I own a few, are first quality.  Can't praise his work enough. 

Good luck!!

[J1776]

Picked up a wonderful poll axe from Beaver Bill,...what a great fellow and a well crafted piece!   

A new axe, some brain tanned hide, and two new linen shirts,... a good weekend was had.