My Collection Of Ax Heads: Metal Detecting

Join me as I display many of the ax heads I have found over the years while metal detecting. I'm not real knowledgeable about them, but try to give a few tidbits of knowledge that I think is probably right.
Here is the book I mention in the video: amzn.to/2kvaUwD
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About Aquachigger:
Metal detecting, treasure, history, coins, river treasure, adventure, nature, animals and MOAR! That is what my channel is about. I enjoy caving, SCUBA diving and flying my powered paraglider. I foster sick and injured pets. My channel is family friendly. My videos are meant to be fun, educational and informative.
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My Collection Of Ax Heads: Metal Detecting
• My Collection Of Ax He...
Aquachigger
/ aquachigger

[@paultroiani255]

your vids are very therapeutic for me. I suffer from PTSD due to war trauma, and watching your videos helps me focus on other things. Thanks so much.

[@downtonviewer]

Thank you, Paul, for your service. I also find the content of his videos a nice distraction from daily stress. He's so entertaining and informative. Take care!

[@paultroiani255]

downtonviewer Thanks for your support!

[@thebatzinator]

Thank you for your service and I'm sorry you suffer so.

[@eldorkpistolero1555]

Paul Troiani thank you for serving

[@paultroiani255]

Joel P First Gulf War

[@martyadams3915]

Loved this video. I come from a lumber and logging family and have really gotten into metal detecting. Finding old broke crosscut saws and axes is so cool.

[@TheMyeloman]

The largest is a "goose wing" broad axe for squaring logs into timbers. That style is rather old, and it looks to be in really good shape!

[@trailnscaleRC]

good eye. broad ax had an offset handle too

[@hansvanelderen9464]

It's a breitbeil not a goosewing that is another type of broad axe. Common mistake. The axe is probably from germany or austria.

[@JohnnyButtons]

Huh, now I see why I've never found an axe head... you've found them all lol.

[@JohnnyButtons]

I take that back! I've dug 3 axe heads since that comment lol. Pretty exciting!

[@manbunnmcfanypakjustacoolg4965]

I've never found an ax head but i have found a complete cross cut saw.

[@tjschwartz42]

I found 4 axe heads buried in my yard. Maybe they break a lot. It’s a acre in Oklahoma where no history at all took place. I wasn’t using a metal detector, this was just gardening. Also 3 shovel heads, a whole wheel and tire, a large 4’ x2’ steel grate, and about 2,000 lbs of floor tiles. Lol. I guess people just burry trash.

[@williambowen6471]

You never cease to amaze me! You have an out standing collection which every time you show them off truly blows my mind! Ive metal detected now for 25-30 years and all I ever find is coins, cans, tabs, toy cars, bottle tops, and scrap iron! Nothing to brag about to say the least. But of course Im still a slave to the work force and have limited time to explore! I love your vids and your collections. You are a metal detecting icon!!!

[@takotabyard4923]

This is by far one of my favorite videos of yours. Would love to see an updated video on axes

[@mandobird]

when the smith draws out the blade { makes it longer and wider} they use a cross pein hammer that alignes the grain .....nice collection

[@JCMakerspace]

Lizzy Borden would be impressed with that collection.

[@Mitch_B67]

I'd really like for you to take us on a tour of your entire collection. I love your videos Chigg. Keep it up.

[@marqueswilsonn]

Wranglerstar may be a person who has tool info if you need it

[@eldorkpistolero1555]

Chris Estabon I agree

[@jennifercampbell1358]

Chris Estabon Wranglerstar is the man!!

[@OutOfNamesToChoose]

Chris Estabon I love his videos, but I had to unsub when he started using clickbait, on principle. Every time I clicked on a video, it felt as though it'd make him feel it was the clickbait and not the content that made me watch. That made me feel like I'd fallen for a trick.

[@bhick3572]

So does the book he showed us

[@SpiritBear12]

That really big axe in the middle is a Hewing axe. They are used to flatten out a log to make straight sides on them.

[@curtbevington77]

Found my first Ax head and found this video... didn't see an exact match but gives me an idea of styles... thanks!

[@verdatum]

As a blacksmith & a fan of tool restoration, that tableau makes me drool. Like 80% of these could be brought back to perfect working condition. And screw people who hate the idea of "ruining the patina" (But that's just my opinion). I really really enjoyed this vid.

[@sethjones5078]

verdatum I agree I'm drooling over some of those axe heads

[@fiddykooro3541]

Same. Looking at this table i just want all of them to restore and polish them up

[@RM-ed1if]

My drool is drooling drool.

[@carmineredd1198]

they cannae be restored , because they are archaeology ,

[@thatsmallrockshop]

absolutely beautiful collection worthy of many museums. the steel axe allowed for the making of many things that advanced our civilization very fast.

[@maryhelen1011]

I would love to see your war outfit doodats, like the belt buckles, buttons and anything else they wore on their clothes as a part of their uniform! Thanks so much, I love all your videos!

[@Katenpie]

This is off the subject.... but here goes. Feb 14th my mother suffered a stroke during a medical procedure. The Dr had a MRI, a CT scan and a imaging contrast with dye done yesterday, They showed that she had had multiple small strokes in the last week. I know many of you don't believe in a higher power, but those of you who do please consider adding my mom, Dolores, in your prayers. We are praying as hard as we can and a few more voices praying on her behalf couldn't hurt. Thank you she means the world to me and my brothers and sisters.

[@pigeonfish1725]

Awesome video, Please do a coin collection video! and or a American Indian artifact collection. Also civil war tokens and counterstamps haha.

[@jollywingo4271]

Had to share this with my brother, he's an avid axe collector. He'll be stoked to see this.

[@rodneywroten2994]

very nice collection. would love to hear the conversations wile they were being used

[@frankiecowsert9364]

I love the big ax....how awesome. All your videos are so informative and I really enjoy them. Can't wait for you to get out in the water again.....

[@kadenh3747]

This is one of my favorite channels ever and I've been with you for the journey a while now and I just want to say thank you for entertaining me all this time

[@yepyep248]

Me too he is good company and the scenery is also wonderful :)

[@WayneTheSeine]

Beautiful collection. I love ax heads. They have hard work written all over them. There is something very satisfying about splitting wood.

[@clockguy2]

I love the broad axe at 4:09. It is the German version or goose wing broad axe. The blades are sharpened on only one side and is used along the grain to square timber after notches have been chopped to depth every foot or so with a regular axe. The broad axe to the left, is the more modern version of it . The handles are usually shorter and curved so you can get next to the log without hitting your knuckles. Early hand forged axes tend to not have much of a poll or weighted part on the backside of the handle. The axes where the polls are rolled over are resulting from misuse where the axe was used to drive an iron wedge in splitting rails. Usually, wooden mauls are used to drive iron wedges where axes can be used to drive wooden wedges. The hatchets with the notches are shingling hatchets. the notch is for pulling nails, I would suggest suggest the book, "A Museum of Early American Tools" by Eric Sloan as an aternative identification book. www.addall.com/New/submitNew.cgi?query=a+museum+of+early+american+tools&type=Title&location=&state=AK&dispCurr=USD Dictionary of American Hand Tools: www.alibris.com/booksearch.detail?invId=13815566469&P5Nuw5q6fc&siteID=oP5Nuw5q6fc-ylc_.TE8jbg0dfRkt9wm3A

[@jeanlucchasse3571]

I like the comment about iron turning to graphite. ..just found a 1755 French Canon ball (24 so far ). I can scrape the iron off, and really look like graphite, also, magnet barely stick to the cannon ball.. if you move the ball slightly, the magnet fall. I have one broken, magnet work well on the core..but not on the edge. Have a good week.

[@stoneblue1795]

Good one. Enjoyed the history and goodies.

[@sergehorion7155]

Finally someone who does not consider big iron targets as trash! Beautiful collection. Thank you for sharing.

[@stantilton3339]

Hey there, love the axe video. That's quite a collection. One thing I thought might be of interest. When you find a piece of iron and it shows the wood grain like lines in it. There's a good chance it's wrought iron. Which is bloomer iron made in a big smelting furnace somewhere. They build a fire and add iron ore, more wood, more ore and so on. As the iron melts out of the ore it strings down toward the bottom, picture candle wax effect. Then when the firing is done it's pulled out and broke up and hammered into rods for the blacksmith. That is where the grain like structure comes in. Blah, blah kind of long winded I know. Thanks for sharing

[@jonlennon3348]

I would love to see the guns and the coins all laid out! Now that would be awesome,hold your breath, LOL.

[@Spacecase40]

thanks for sharing your collection. Very cool finds. I check your channel every day for a new video. Thanks Bo

[@grahamwagner1880]

Not boring sir... absolutely interesting and unique. Cheers brother!

[@watcherguy6537]

Chigg you have such a smooth voice, we could hear you talk all day

[@joshuagaines9297]

I'm not the average viewer. therefore I'm really excited.

[@jimnorthland2903]

As someone that cut wood for eight wood stoves while growing up, I am always amused at how little Hollywood knows about axes. A double bit axe is used as a falling axe...to cut trees down. You have two sharp blades available. A single bit is versitile, it can be for limbing, light woodswork, light splitting and so on. A maul is for splitting heavy rounds of firewood. A hatchet is a real handy tool. You can cut kindling, do some light limbing, even cut meat up and use as a knife blade. Plumb hatchets (with a hammer on the back and a nail notch under the blade) is used in many trades. There used to be many more specific types of axes when things were done by hand. But they have faded away like my youth.

[@yellowboy1866]

Great axe head collection. Thanks for showing them

[@smithk6977]

Wow, very cool. a lot of intersting history on that table. Thanks for sharing👍

[@forterierocks]

I love this kind of stuff, I live in a small town called Fort Erie, Ontario Canada along the shores of the Niagara River at the end of Lake Erie. Over the years I have found many many Indian Arrowheads, 1 8kg Cannon ball, a few small round I guess musket balls all about marble size. I found all of these by eye, I'm actually looking to buy my first detector this spring and have some fun hunting.

[@cellerfeller1474]

The bit slides into a wedge shaped opening that is then heated and hammered down by the smith or "forge welded". The grain is from very old wrought iron - very different from modern iron bars. Wrought nails could not be bent or clinched over because the grain ran staight across so they would break off - good way to id colonial hand wrought nails if you can't see the rose head.

[@bronzemouthwarrior4049]

The big one is a hewing axe. The handle is offset to allow the beard to stay flat on the wood rather than digging deeper.

[@blondzruleall5443]

I watch your videos and I was looking at old vids to see what I missed before I subscribed and I about died seeing this vid, my fiancé started restoring axes, he has become fascinated and has also started building with wood, he also collects old tools and wants to save old tools and axes. He is loving your vids now!

[@CHAD-RYAN]

Can you ask him what kind of axe head that is at 6:04

[@BigEyeTuna]

Thanks for sharing your collection. I for one find it interesting and hope to see more collections in future videos.

[@ogpk3]

Hope you do MOAR videos like this

[@martysmith3793]

The notches are for pulling nails , that style are for roofing a Shake hatchet & hammer

[@erichaskell]

Some were dun wored out and they gots throwed away. Made a good splash they did!

[@cbow6609]

Nice video....I'd like to see a tour of your relic room and all of your finds worth putting on display.

[@richardbaumeister466]

Some of the older axe heads were forged as a single blade and folded over a form where the handle will be. Then the two halves of the blade were welded together by the blacksmith . This may be what you are seeing as a hardened steel extension at the blade. Also those that were collapsed at the handle hole were probably used as a splitting wedge after they were worn out.

[@thomaswilliams6155]

chug you are one decent human being. your a giant dork, or geek, I'm not sure but it's meant to be a term of affection. I am amazed at how cool it is to listen to you.

[@Lukas.Chludzinski]

We are a special breed of people who get pumped when we see he uploaded something like this thanks for the uploads. Ps don't get all the treasure before I get down there and find some huge fan

[@BiltmoreGhost]

man alive! The Smithsonian should be so lucky to even LOOK at your collection! That is fantastic!

[@CHAD-RYAN]

The axe at 6:05 is a william mann edge tool co If you sand it lightly to the metal it will say "superior cast steel" From around 1890s. I only know of 2 others besides the one in this video.

[@MrKmoconne]

The large goose-wing broad axe in the center is as you say, for finishing a squared log. It's a very Germanic design. The socket is offset so the knuckles didn't scrape the log on the down stroke. The wide axe to the left of it is also a broad axe, probably hand made. In this axe, the offset was created by steaming and bending the handle. These axes were used to make square beams out of round logs. You can tell a beam in an old barn or log cabin was hand hewn because you can still see the chop marks from the axe. I was hoping to see the head of the holy grail of cool hatchets, the belt axe or the Tomahawk in your collection: carried by both American Indians and 18th century long hunters. They are so small, not much would be left of them if they had been dropped in a creek. Maybe you will find one next to that cannon you keep hoping to find....... Maybe Ricky has one in his hand and is sneaking up behind you!!!

[@KanonKongenKarl]

A video about all your unidentified oddities would be really cool.

[@gregarusbiloxicus]

I don't know if this was already said. The grain in the iron is characteristic of wrought iron. The blacksmith doesn't put that in there by hammering but through the process of the making of the iron. That type of iron has to be worked according to the grain just like wood so as to take advantage of the strength. Be on the look out for the junk iron you find. Many blacksmiths today are looking for true wrought iron for their own projects. You might be able to sell these pieces on your website.

[@candaceneff6796]

that huge is in the middle is amazing!!

[@yepyep248]

I think they are great ! i have also found a couple, to think of all the people who used them is amazing and all the important purposes back in a time when fire wood was essential. Nothing like finding a big hunk of metal you can easily recognize either. Wonderful collection i enjoyed the share also :)

[@ikhs-tutorialsmore8495]

Who else want Chig to do a House Tour? Would love see his collections especially the guns. lol

[@tomcarlson3244]

Ikhs - Tutorials & More I love the civil war stuff. I am dabbling in Blacksmithing. I have around 20 axes but they are really not real old. 20: years maybe.

[@tomcarlson3244]

I also would love to see your whole collection

[@ferrousunderground712]

nice job sir.... have a few myself...all found in fields....definitely going to pick up a copy of that book...

[@ianlane7026]

Fascinating video. That big axe looks almost exactly like the sort used in Medieval executions here in the UK. I'd like to see the range of more mundane items such as keys or ice skates like those on the wall behind you. Thanks for allowing us all to see your items but that must be a seriously strong table you have there.

[@NZSUMMERLADY]

that was cool I've never really thought much about axes before now, thanks for that!

[@usakindatheartflower6229]

I see people in other country videos in Europe metal detecting in frozen or snow covered ground.. it's amazing their dedication

[@ericday604]

Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful collection. That big one is a german goosewing axe, pretty old. Im just up the road in gburg if you ever want to pour over those in more detail. Also might be interested in a few if you ever want to unload them. Thank you so so so very much for taking the time to share them with us!! This will not be a popular comment but this might be one of my favorite videos you have done!!! Take care my friend!!

[@colliedogjoy]

Super cool - thanks for the upload. I love a nice axe - some of the double bits are nice, and the hatchets.

[@continentalmilitaria]

At 0:40 or so. To make holes for fishing on the ice an axe is the most common hand tool used unless you have an auger.

[@nathankim7664]

Here's CHIGGY!

[@stxrynn]

You have more axes than Sears and Roebuck! WOW.

[@beepseatsfindingfoodtreasu8756]

Love the goose wing hueing axe. would have a hickory handle on that one and work out some beautiful beams. I have found a left and right set of hueing axes with forge welded bits. after electrolysis I steam bent new handles for them and after sharpening make beams quite often for fireplace mantle's.

[@ColinHarperSummerson]

Interesting recording Chigg, always wondered about all the ax heads you collect, thanks 👍🙂

[@jeanetteswalberg6166]

I forgot to say just how beautiful the axe heads are! Thanks for sharing.

[@quamenmike2]

your videos are really informative aquachigger, thanks.

[@eldorkpistolero1555]

I love antique axe heads and saws more then civilwar stuff.

[@jayammons3834]

If you have some time Jimmy Diresta has some vids of restoring old axe heads to like new that are really fun. Might be sacrilegious with some of those you have there but seeing a 200 year old tool being put back into use is a beautiful experience.

[@rickjones6736]

That is an awesome collection you got there Beau. I have found pieces of axes but not a single whole one. I did find today a piece to one of mine that makes it whole it's just in 2 pieces. I think finding old tools is great. I'm near some woods I can hunt one day so who knows maybe i'll get lucky and find a whole one! Keep up the great video's!

[@ryanwhiteneck5887]

thanks for showing us your collections. it would be great to see a video of your belt buckles you found.

[@BB_46]

Awesome chig, now that's a cool video those axes helped built American.

[@jwl329]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing your collection with us.

[@sandraclaassen8943]

That was fascinating. You wouldn't think that there would be so many variations for such a utilitarian tool. Thank you

[@mikeblair2594]

That's a touch mark on the goose wing axe you were touching. The design comes from Germany, Pennsylvania Dutch and all. The small one that still has a remnant of a handle is a Hudson's bay company style belt axe. I don't know who made it but that's the style. It's also my favorite axe to forge though not the easiest.

[@mikeblair2594]

Come to think of it, the Hudson's bay co. Axe is a form much older than the the trade. The design itself is from the late iron age. They were first made in the eibar region of spain. Pourtogese fishermen were the first to trade them to native Americans and by the time the English started trading that was the preferred design. In fact the English first got their trade stock from the Spanish because they were the people making the preferred product.

[@crazyman5307]

I think your channel is great. Positive and clean. You make me feel proud know I was born in the USA.

[@IanHannaBlacksmith]

that's a really nice collection historically speaking. those ones with the eye toward the back are very early. late 1700s turn of the century and likely English made. almost all of the other single bits are quite old as well. mid 1800s to 1920s american by the looks of them. the huge one is called a goose wing axe and it is for finishing when hewing. of the single bits though there are some nice examples of rare American patterns that I noticed. the bodies of all the axes with welded steel edges are going to be wrought iron. those vertical lines you see are silica inclusions in the iron, which were all aligned when the original piece of iron was made. I didn't request the video but I really appreciate it!

[@markrush5013]

very interesting vid....old worn out tools are indeed beautiful pieces

[@summerland6397]

A prosperous trader in an earlier century.

[@thebatzinator]

OMG!!! I love love love the huge one in the middle (reminds me of an executioners ax) and the other large one to the left!!! Very impressive collection!! I LOVE old tools of any kind.

[@MiltonTucker]

The ax head that you pointed out how far back the eye was, had been forged from flat plate folded and forge welded, with a steel cutting edge. The ax head that you pointed out the grain in the iron, was made of wrought iron, with a steel cutting edge forge welded in.

[@CHAD-RYAN]

Any idea what the axe is at 6:04

[@mininggeology1528]

Great video!! I just found my first axe head and this video was very educational.

[@rachelthompson9324]

some nice ones, some made for milling logs and debarking are cool

[@aclawrence]

Thanks for doing this video. I love old axes. Some of those look pretty dang old!

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

Love to see a tour of your relics room; although, I understand if you don't want to, etc.

[@1946seaweed]

Aquachigger, could you show us your entire collection? That might take many videos but I think many of your subscribers would like to see everything. Thanks.

[@sammarcum4931]

awesome video, very cool!!! Thank you, Beau.

[@DesertZo6]

Beau I've got an idea for upcoming video/s if you haven't done it all ready. Maybe you can talk about what got you into metal detecting and treasure hunting, what year you started? first major find? Scariest thing ever found? Q and A maybe? Etc. maybe you could even talk about those topics Over some old detecting videos you're not sure what to do with??

[@johnwilson007]

At Red Top Mountain Pioneer Days you can see interesting things like these. It is in Cartersville Georgia but don't know when it is this year.

[@WeDigAntiquities]

Cool video, I love the huge axe!

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

I love that you found a 1760 Goose Wing Germanic Northern Pennsylvania axe head that Eric Sloane had in his book. What a story it must have and where you found it. That axe is a work of art in my book. I think of the man who used it and how he used it. I can only imagine that he died and it fell out of his hand. It is too special too leave his side. Each of these heads have a story. I am glad they are in your hands. Hold the axe and think of the man or woman who used it. Thanks for sharing! RWB

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

craftsofnj.org/images/sitemedia/toolshed/issue-170/toolshed-170.pdf

[@brianpedziwol3226]

Did I see several 1860"s Quartermaster Axes. They are cool looking. Nice video.

[@aongusaongus4371]

Nice finds.

[@jessereiter328]

Thank you I did find that interesting I worked out the oilfield and did a lot of digging and pipeline repair and I found very interesting stuff to numerous to talk about

[@bootyfull7368]

Went to Gettysburg last week. The tour guid and my friends on the museum tour were very surprised with all of the knowledge I had about the artillery. I told them they have to checkout your videos. Thanks for the knowledge!

[@michaelcarter3448]

Best show ever find MOAR

[@nickyb369]

Thanks for sharing my friend. Next time you find yourself along the oregon coast, Port Orford to be precise, let me know. Great metal detecting sites. I'd love to learn from a true Jedi.

[@johnmutton799]

I would be using some of them if I had them! Nice collection sir !

[@TheJoeyboots]

Wonderful collection. I watched a TV show about a man who puts them back in service. I found one of those hatchet types like a hammer nail puller. I cleaned and put a handle on it. I call it my Lizzie Borden axe. LOL