Stone Axe Head

[Majorjoel]

This last summer while combing a nearby beach on lake Michigan I ran across an interesting celt axe head.  I would like to make a handle for it but haven't a clue as to what may be the correct way to go about attaching the stone to it.  Any help appreciated.       

[Jim W]

Go to your local pet store, or "Wally World" and get a large rawhide dog 'chew bone'. Get the largest you can, look at the end of the roll, and try to find one made of a single square of hide.
 Soak this overnight in water, then unroll it.
Cutting in a circular pattern, (might want to use a dinner plate etc. as a pattern) begin cutting around the circle, making a +/- 1/2 inch strip of hide. Wrap the head with the wet hide, and tuck the end under a prior wrap. Let it dry for a few days and it will hold like it was epoxy.
 Might want to look on-line or museum etc to get some basic idea how to shape the head of the handle. Some had a "U" shape cut out, others had one side thinner than the other, and was pulled completely over the top to the base of the 'notch'.
I hope this is not to jumbled to understand.' After midnight here, and cound't sleep...altho it may seem I wrote this in my sleep!

[Robby]

Captjoel, Find a good hardwood sapling, white ash, maple, etc., without limbs, three quarters of an inch to inch and a half diameter, split the living tree just enough to pound your stone axe head into the split, bind it tightly above and below the head, careful not to bruise or damage the outer layer of wood and bark, wait a few years, depending on the tree and growing conditions, global warming might help you out with this one. Come back when it is firmly set, using your best judgement, cut above and below the head for your handle length, wrap with chew toy. Patience is a virtue
Robby

[Majorjoel]

Thanks fella's for all of your helpful information. I know this rock is more of a club than an axe and could just be one of natures formations, but it will look kind of nice hanging on the shop wall. Could come in handy to drive off unwanted salesman, tenderize tough salami, or just spark conversations.  All the best.....Joel

[jr]

It looks like a natural stone, instead of a celt, at least in the photo. Here's a link though, with an original handle to one found in Michigan.
http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:7m_lPGufvVwJ:anthropology.si.edu/cm/krakker_celt_handle.htm+michigan+celt+handle&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

[Robby]

jr, That handle looks as though it may been done in the split and wait method.
Robby

[art riser]

very possibly a geologic anomaly...

[bigbat]

From Left To Right
1.Groved Michigan Axe- Found Colfax Twp Oceana County Michigan
2.Celt Found Manistee County Michigan
3.Trade Axe Found Lansing Michigan
4.Trade Axe Found Oceana County Michigan
5.Bottom "Stuff" Found In Wyoming

[The other DWS]

JR, that peat pit find is incredible.  It must have been carved and bored out and the stone inserted perhaps with a pine pitch binder or small wedges. I'd love to read a much more detailed analysis of the artifact.   One always wonder if such items were actually functional tools or ceremonial/symbolic.

I have a hard time assuming anything other than the latter since any real impact on anything harder than a human body would probably split the wood grain out unless it was rawhide wrapped---which the peat would have preserved as well or better than the wood (ref: european bog burials)