Arvika 5 Star High Performance Modification Tutorial

Step by step tutorial on a high-performance mod on an Hults Bruk Arvika 5-Star felling axe. How to put a aggressive full convex grind on the bevel, improve the satin finish on the cheeks, slim the handle for better feel, and the use of Swedish Tar and linseed oil paint for some bling.

[@larrikinaxe3424]

In Australia we run a 14 to 16 degree chisel for optimal performance in our hardwoods, this grind is a result of decades of professional axe racing on our mainland and Tasmania. If you're interested, you can look up Tuatahi Racing Axes and view their 'Axe filing jig' this is a purpose built jig for creating a perfect chisel. As for your Hultafors axe, they are supplied as a blank for the end user to file/grind/profile for certain types of use or wood. When I sharpen my axes, I take them to 600grit, then file off the burr before polishing them with a buffing wheel and compound, I finish with a leather strop which leaves them sharp enough to shave a sleeping mouse. That basically means bloody sharp ☺

[@zombiefighterof1987]

Well it does say "sharpen before use" right on the sticker, i can't imagine somebody complaining about the sharpness out of the box.

[@BOOSTEDLASER]

I knew he was Non American and from a 3rd world country when he said : we run a 14 to 16 degree chisel Competed 100+ times, NEVER seen ANYONE run a chisel Re sharpen a factory GB or Halta? lol He must be trolling Semper FI Gunny

[@SupermanBB]

BOOSTEDLASER lol I thought the same thing. But more than likely being from Australia his reference to the word “chisel” isn’t the same literal chisel grind we picture when he says that. I think he’s referring to 16 degree grind on each side of a V grind

[@michaelcroft2245]

16 Degree chisel edge 1/2” width with a 14 degree hollow behind is considered close, give or take a degree for racing axes in hardwood.

[@TaralgaBushAdventure]

As an Aussie, I'd say you've done a fantastic job. I have a HB axe exactly like this, but from the '50's. The types of wood this was designed for are Australian eucalypt hardwood gum trees as you say, which is why this has a wide slim wedge shape backed by heavy weight of 2kg / 4½lbs. Personally I like the slimmed handle, but over time it will flex with that much swinging momentum, so we'd leave it a little thicker. Also would suggest adding a neck guard. Everything you did was great, keep up the great work! 👍

[@simjai1000]

Wow awesome job! Have noticed with linseed oil if you oil the afternoon before, in the morning it can still feel a bit damp, if you chuck it in the rack in the back of the ute then drive, even a couple km up the road at only 60ks a hour it seemed to dry it out a little

[@seff2318]

Lane I had no Idea you had a youtube channel! I was researching tasmanian patterns and recognized a couple axes you had posted. You have a loyal subscriber! Your videos are great! Super impressed :)

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Welcome, sir! I'm just trying to have a good time. Got to get some Tuatahi vids up there soon ;)

[@phogelbice]

I use a linseed oil, pine tar, bee wax mix for treating my axe/hammer handles that i put on after i give the handle a light burn so it really gets soaked in. Gives it a really nice feeling in my opinion. Thanks for the video!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Beautiful axe! When working a convex on a belt sander slack grinding is the way to go. Even on a bench grinder like yours there is a small space between the platen and the wheel that is slack. You can also use the bottom of the belt, although you’re relying on feel much more than sight when using the under side of the belt. Mine has a cabinet and flips up vertical so it’s not a problem, but give it a try on an old head. Also, I’m sure you’ve gotten a Shinto Rasp since this project, but it makes the thinning process a lot faster. And to stop bleeding through the tape, take some clear paintable caulking and seal the tape edge with the caulking and wipe it away. Remove the tape while the paint is wet. Laser straight line!

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Yes the Shinto Rasp is the greatest of all the Rasp Kind.

[@nate7843]

This axe is insane! You did a great job on that one! Loved seeing the process. 👍

[@chriswallace1526]

Great job mate,very cool looking axe Nice tutorial on how to get it done

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

^^^You can run my fan club, Wallace! hahahah XD

[@stighaugen1415]

Very nice tutorial! Love your channel, nice content. I have purchased an arvika and plan to use it for splitting. Do you recommend the same tune-up if the purpose is splitting? Kind regards from Norway.

[@clarencerswann1360]

Great video! I just subbed to your channel, very good comment from the videos I've seen so far. what a coincidence, I just made a video of myself of a custom tuning my RV car that I've been working on for several months now. I agree, it is such a great Axe, a beast of an axe! Looking forward to seeing more content from you, cheers!

[@280AI]

I am currently redoing a Swedish double bit axe. Please direct me to the video you have made that will give me the most information on my project. The head is stripped and the haft installed.

[@theaxeman4035]

Nice axes, and great description of the Arvika!

[@SupermanBB]

Beautiful work on that axe. I have this axe and I love it (after a bit of reprofiling)! If anyone is considering this axe... BUY IT! After a bit of refining, it’s incredible!

[@greekveteran2715]

Please, do you own the Hultafors HY 10-1,5 ? It's the same size like Arvika just a little lighter head. On videos on KZbin, it looks it performs better than Arvika. I want to buy a good axe for bigger trees, if by any chance you own both, which one would you suggest? Thanks in advance

[@johnnystiltner258]

I just bought my first Arvika, actually it is my first axe of such quality. Is it possible for me to send you my Arvika for you to tune it up for me, I am 63 years old, and never had any real experience in sharpening of an axe like this, especially a quality axe as this. I bought this axe, and also a Agdor. I want to use them for the cardio exercise it would give me. Not ready to be old and weak...lol.

[@connervickrage2742]

Excellent video! thoroughly enjoyed watching. I really want to buy the Arvika and seeing what you've accomplished with yours it looks well worth buying it, how did you get it that sharp very impressed.. great content thanks

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

With some practice, sharpening stones can achieve knife-level sharpness just like they can with axes. Hoping to post some tutorials on sharpening soon. There are so many techniques, but in the end, it's very much a matter of "feel."

[@silverback4434]

Wow you are a pro ! I don't know how you make that but good job !

[@fuelediowa]

Good video. And some good info. I have never used pine tar. Would you mind educating me a bit one it. I have always used blo with turpintine. Or teak oil

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Iowa! Hawkeyes or Cyclones? lol So, there are two kinds. One you can get at any farm supply store simply called "Pine Tar." It has a veterinary use with horses, so that's why it's usually in the vet supplies aisles. The other is called Swedish Tar and is widely used by guys who have wooden boats. They like it for it's waterproofing properties but it's pretty expensive. But it's REALLY nice. Awesome color with just one coat and it dries up nice. I could only find it online at a boat supply website.

[@sawyersmith6923]

Love all of the content and practical axe tests Sisyphus. I have a few restorations I'm working on and I was wondering what brand the linseed oil paint is and where you get it from? Keep axing on.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

I have a new source that is very good www.earthandflax.com

[@jeffreyrubish347]

I very much like the final result!

[@MartyInTheWoods]

6:04 best would be, the belt of the sander would be slacking. Maybe you can modify the sander in a way, that you take away the belt support. The result would be better...

[@jopsball-turret6969]

Love your videos Lane. Total fan boy. Any ideas when Lamaca gonna have handles available, lol. Is the arvika handle worth $50 to hang a hytest Tasmanian 4.5?

[@DoctorGibbon]

a perfect video, something rarely seen, only improvedment i would say is cut the noise of the grinder and do voice over on the text if possible 10/10 five stars

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

I thank you very much, sir. I agree. Grinding sounds are kind of...grinding! lol 😖 My vids are too long period. Trying to work on that.

[@kurts64]

@@BushcraftSisyphus no need to shorten the vids

[@iam-mp1pe]

What brand of Swedish pine tar did you use? & great video brother the axe looks so good

[@stevelawrence7588]

Wicked Lane. Loved it.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Dude, do a video!

[@stevelawrence7588]

like this one? ;-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6DFepmrmbJmd5I

[@lino5167]

13:40 "A morakniv makes a great scraper". I'm betting this is more than a feeling. (get it????????????) Great work man.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

lol Yes. That's Mora in a nutshell lol

[@climbe4422]

Nice carefull work sir ! And good video making too .l like your choppers chioce shirt too.

[@elemental4rce]

been on the verge of buying one of these and putting it on a much better handle at around 30" but can't help but feel that they should be 5lb+ instead of 4.5

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Ask around amongst the Australians and they might be able to find one of the old 5lbers for you. HUGE.

[@elemental4rce]

@@BushcraftSisyphus I actually finally ordered an Arvika. I'll be sure to record what I do to it. Definitely won't be keeping the stock handle and obviously will be grinding it back nice and thin.

[@justinwilson8669]

A 2x72 grinder with rotor platen makes the convex grinding easier. Looks great lane.

[@MikeRyu2]

Growing up I spent summers in Port Austin, whats up with the Bad Axe shirt? Just a great axe shirt or is there something I should know about you and that town?

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

I think it's the high school shirt from Bad Axe, MI! It's their mascot I think.

[@gasportsman90]

So which do you prefer; the Helko or Arvika? Both seem to be fine axes. I'm torn between the two.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

I would say the Helko needs more work to be a high-performing axe, as much because of the handle as the head, but they both need some work to be really high-performing. Now, in their defense "vintage" Tasmanian patterns were made in similar ways and also needed a lot of work to get into shape, so both Hults Bruk and Helko are staying true to original designs, but still! lol

[@tango165]

Looks great!!! 😎👍🏼

[@Channel1rm]

This technique with the tongue and turpentine. Would it work with raw linseed oil?

[@willybreen7950]

Awesome lane! Great video bud! Glad I found you on here! Best. Willy b

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Willy B! My man. Enjoy lol

[@willybreen7950]

Bushcraft Sisyphus I thought I was only one that used a morakniv as a scraper! Must be in Idaho thing!

[@davidhaines4927]

Where can I get that paint

[@tbrown91241]

where are you finding the felling axe all I ever see are the racing axes?

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Ah do you mean in the product descriptions for the axe? Yes, the Arvika ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ is often advertised as a racing axe, but it's not a true specialized racing axe per se. So there aren't actually racing and felling versions, there's just the Arvika. Does that make sense?

[@MountainManThan]

I want an Arvika so bad 😅

[@wolverinebear5357]

You can dang near get spokeshave shavings with a good card scraper done correctly when sharpened, cheap to, try 2cherries, good quality not overpriced clones

[@marioburgos6508]

Nice 👍 yob

[@Steve_G88]

The fit and finish on my Arvika was the worst ive ever seen on any axe.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Needs some TLC for sure.

[@ariclange7051]

Cant help but say what the hell did u do to that dang handle like leve it the way it was. Sticky handle! U make me cry axe goodness 😤 u should get reported under axe Abuse