Blacksmithing - Forging an axe drift

In this video I make a drift which is used to form the eye of an axe. It's a bit of an experiment since I have no previous experience with making axes.
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/ torbjornahman

[@wolfhawaii1]

It is obvious that you know what you are doing.....no wasted motion, precise technique....great video!

[@alfonsos1387]

there is something relaxing about seeing your videos

[@0num4]

Excellent. Thank you for sharing! I used to think that craftsmanship was on the decline, but channels such as yours prove to me that it is merely harder to find through all of the riff-raff and cat videos.

[@leedale5393]

Onuma was thinking of filming my cat finishing forging his own bowl but you have ruined it for him.Will have to post his alien abduction vid.

[@patrickellis3205]

Lee Dale not again? I wish they would just leave your poor cat alone, last time it took him 3 light years to recover and feel sure he will never be the same again poor little lad!

[@garonjohnson5922]

That's because the galaxy is on Orion's belt.

[@bradymcphail9690]

Man, I'm so glad when I see a new video from you come in. I think I've saved just about every video you've made. if you haven't already, please make a video of all of the tools on your wall. I want to make everything you have for both the power hammer side and the manual hammer side. I know your busy with regular work and family, that's why it's a special day when a new video comes from you. Cheers, friend.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@InsideAlan]

+Torbjörn Åhman is there any chance I could buy your "imperfect" test piece? I love the idea of progression and while I could never afford an actual hand made axehead due to the hours that go into them I'd know I held the first step down that path. I hope that makes sense.

[@torbjornahman]

***** Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I want to sell a piece like that. I do understand your thinking though.

+ 1

[@marty01957]

Another Great video! I always enjoy watching your stuff.

[@grizzly22485]

Great project! I thoroughly enjoy your approach to a project and the systematic follow through to completion. your work just flows so neatly toward the finish. Thank you for your effort to educate us.................Ross

[@lookcreations]

Lovely work. Thanks for sharing. All the best Mat

[@miguelfdez712]

Experience is the mother of science. Nice video; ty Sir for sharing

[@wannabee9356]

Fantastic. Respect from Italy!!!

[@olechuga2]

Sir, excellent video. Thank you.

[@estebancanizales3303]

Such a beautiful forge

[@alokkumaranand4324]

He is a excellent craftsman, very experienced

[@jonduffer4340]

Good Job - darn nice shop!

[@kitgarvin9253]

Love the videos please keep them coming

[@ToddAndelin]

Everything you do just feels like all the proportions and the process is weighed with judgement but calm artistry. Love all your videos!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!!

[@morisarzensek]

Oooo maybe an Viking axe is coming hahaha great project torbjörn

[@CustomBuiltFurn]

Thank for another great video!

[@olekluften9776]

Great video. All respect to your skills.

[@oisinmcdaid]

Love your videos. I know nothing about blacksmithing, and probably never will know much, but your videos are kind of relaxing, and cool to see how things are made by hand. Your videos are similar to Primitive Technologies, but with metal.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thanks.

[@Mrx9999999]

You do a great job! If I could do half as good I would be very happy.

[@xmaswitguns]

Your lawn is immaculate. It looks like you mowed, vacuumed, starched, pressed, and buffed it before you made that can of vermiculite outside. :)

[@loul7239]

Check out his video about building his greenhouse. You'll get to see his robotic lawn mower. Yes, he has a lawn Roomba! Heck, just look at how organized his shop is. I'm pretty certain he is a meticulous guy. His "proof of concept" would be a personal triumph for me.

[@torbjornahman]

Ha ha... Yes, the robot mower does a good job! Organized? I keep looking for things all the time.... :)

[@waldtricki]

I love the last sentence in your comment Louis! Beautifully articulated and a sentiment I share. Keep up setting the bar higher for us Torbjorn, our wives don't thank you =)

[@prlekurpejovic7331]

xmaswitguns

[@johnjude2677]

@@torbjornahman Thanks great to learn. Surprized no test fit into standard axe handle at end of video. Great video Thank you Sir

[@vegoil]

This is great! I've been trying to make one out of 4140 and it is hard work!

[@69adrummer]

I LOVE my Granfors Brux! What a piece of gear!! Love your work too man! You inspire me. ...although I do NOT have any experience lol

[@gabrielsturdevant9700]

6:30 now THAT'S an anvil!

[@Barfotadan]

I thoroughly enjoy both the content and quality of your production. I'll be keeping an eye on your channel ;). Tack!

[@torbjornahman]

Tack! :)

[@kagapeme]

Love your videos!

[@brandonm.9505]

I absolutely love watching your channel, you make the coolest stuff ever. Would love to learn how to be a blacksmith from you

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks!

[@NearlyNativeNursery]

I made my wood burning forge from my bored well water tank i cut in half, bolted on 4 metal legs. It now appears as a DIY barbecue grill in the making. Its all I had in scrap to get started. Hopefully by the end of Jan I will have it completed and up and running:) Torbjorn, hanks for you inspiration.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Good luck!!

[@bokinsmud]

Gorgeous!

[@robertv8851]

Awesome work ,great tool

[@c0nnys1]

Good job as usual

[@TheOldaz1]

The precision of your work never fails to impress, nice job.

[@jukeboxhero1649]

That's cool. Angle grinder is the way to go on that task.

[@TheDrumminjay]

That really is a tough steel, seems to stay hotter, longer from friction alone! I know this is an older video, but I still enjoy it all the same!

[@eastexas9793]

Which do you prefer to make more Torbjorn? Art or tools? In many ways, it's all art really! Have a blessed day!

[@torbjornahman]

Not sure, tools I guess...

[@foggy7595]

Holy crap that steel is tough.

[@earllorange7418]

You can tell the H3 steel was hard as even the power hammer was sweating 😂 👍

[@viking8809]

Каждый уважающий себя кузнец делает свой инструмент сам. Классная работа. Молодец 👍👍

[@viking8809]

@ASPIRINKA Rin да , сморозил , но , тем не менее , парень молодец . И ему за это 👍. А вот что ты сделал ?

[@TheBoer1987]

love your powerhamer

[@Woody-zp5ox]

Beautiful video

[@cutelariamacedo7188]

amazing bruther

[@rasmis]

I didn't now what a “drift” was, and I didn't want to look it up before watching the video. I like the challenge of working it out as it comes along :-) First I thought “axe head”, then “a knife” and finally aaaaah! That makes perfect sense.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! :)

[@wcweaverjr]

Wonderful job!! I wish that I had the chance to learn blacksmithing when I was younger. Now all I can do is watch videos of men like yourself doing the things that I wish I could do.

[@torbjornahman]

It's never too late!

[@faisalfaixal2376]

the learning has no age so do u u can learn anything u want it just requires practice and determination

[@Kenjinn13]

you videos are top notch. :D

[@NearlyNativeNursery]

Beautiful Hatchet and axe drift. Thanks for sharing knowledge. I too want to start smithing axe, hatchet wood splitting muals. I guess the first thing is to learn smithing by making ones own tools? All the Very Best!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!! Yes, it's a good start to start with your own tools, but it takes a while to reach the goal.

[@dcgud]

Beautiful

[@MarkAspery]

Nice video, Torbjorn - as usual. Cheers, Mark

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Mark!!

[@DougyFreedom]

Your yard looks like golf course quality 👍🏼

[@Rmillerb1]

Man, that stuff is tough!

[@torbjornahman]

It is... I was forging some mild steel afterwards and it was like butter compared to this. Had to throttle down a bit :)

[@dominiccox7534]

great vid

[@faisalfaixal2376]

i dont know y but i love this video watching it again man😀

[@jeremiahhuson8458]

Excellent work as usual sir.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks

[@jeremiahhuson8458]

Have you studied Brian Brazeal's work or worked with Alfred Habberman?

[@torbjornahman]

Brian's work has inspired me allot, yes!

[@jakepogg2733]

Torbjorn,hi.Competent forging,thank you for filming and posting this. If i may,when you'll be forging an axe that you'll be finishing,i'd suggest using stock not so square(before slitting). As a general rule,the poll of an axe gives one a good idea of the starting stock's dimentions. Most commonly the Thickness would not exceed 3/4"(with the height of stock 2"+) That assures that the finished head of the tool does not loosen on the haft easily. Many of the axes(and other tools)where this,the Height of an eye is insufficient(relative the mass of head),have a tendency to loosen on their haft,as they exert the undue pressure on the wood fibers. Hope that you won't mind this gratuitous,unsolicited advice!Much respect,and the very best of forging to you!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! No problem! The last part was only a test to see the shape

[@juanrivero8]

I could certainly make a wooden handle fit that eye. Concept proved. Well done, and well done indeed. Yes, maybe it should be a little fatter but that depends on whether you are forging a hatchet or a full-size axe. I can hardly wait to see you forge at least a hatchet.

[@torbjornahman]

It will most probably be a hatchet, yes... I don't quite know were the line is drawn between a hatchet and an axe?

[@juanrivero8]

Typically the hatchet is used with one hand; the axe is used with two hands. But there are "axes" out there I could use one-handed, also very large hatchets:)

[@torbjornahman]

Juan Rivero ok! Here we don't make that distinction really... they are all axes more or less.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

thx for this

[@messerist]

May we expect an axe-making video in the near future? Great videos!

[@torbjornahman]

I hope so :) I'm new to this, so it's all a bit of trial and error right now.

[@AAAn7298]

todo lo que haces parece fácil pero la experiencia que tiene usted así lo hace ver

[@pjhalchemy]

Thanks, Great Video! Learned a lot about that H13. Noticed you brushing the slag a lot but didn't see much coming off? That hex handle seemed almost perfect like you started with hex. Beautiful test run with it!! Look forward to seeing you work on some axes. Thanks Much! ~PJ

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! I'm learning as I go :) The handle is actually octagon (4 sides + 4 corners forged down), but it doesn't matter :) Hex is cool too, but harder to forge, then you have to turn 30 degrees, and judging that by eye needs some training.

[@pjhalchemy]

Didn't see it well but Thanks I get it about hex vs oct from square stock being much harder to forge. Never actually thought about that...old guy learning too. ~¿@ Thanks Torbjorn! ~PJ

[@saxon215]

very enjoyable as always, making a hest treating oven is actually fairly simple and cheap if one would be useful for you

[@torbjornahman]

Hello! Well, both yes and no... The hardest question is what size do I need? Ha ha.. then you need a PID controller for temperature ramping up and down and some good durable insulation + this and that... I have thought about it :)

[@themadsmith857]

Love the channel ,nice lawn keep up the good work , i justed subbed

[@darkpassenger01]

My grandfather was a blacksmith,he was the last blacksmith for Camden County New Jersey, I always found working with metal a lot of fun I can stick weld pretty good but always found working with metal a lot of fun maybe it's in the genes

[@torbjornahman]

It probably is! Do you own any old tools left by your grandfather?

[@darkpassenger01]

unfortunately not

[@messerist]

may we look forward to a axe forging video?

[@EddSjo]

messerist Just in case you missed it, he has done a couple of axes by now.

[@stevesyncox9893]

Thank you.

[@passarinheipassarinheiro4068]

Ótimo trabalho parabéns

[@69adrummer]

I love my GB hatchet and my SA Wetterlings axe!!

[@torbjornahman]

ok, good!

[@gavinsutherland7226]

Subscribed. Nice work!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@nickolascouture1282]

At 7:22 I though he was mocking the power hammer lol

[@petegalvs]

Another awesome video! Does it change the hardness of the tool over time to be used against the hot iron? Does the tool eventually "anneal" and does it ever need rehardening?

[@torbjornahman]

It shouldn't change much. It will never anneal. It will always stay hardened.

[@no_ribspunk4048]

Dude, I love your channel. I actually want to star forging and I´m only 15

[@torbjornahman]

Great. Thanks!

[@jowanmay6358]

hard work pays off

[@Cenzi70]

Thanks Torbjörn for your wonderful works. I ask you please to put a protective filter from the welding lights because they are also very bad for the eyes for those who stare at them on the PC screen.

[@torbjornahman]

:) Why?? A screen can't produce any harmful light.

[@ricardogava1604]

I liked before watch

[@jowanmay6358]

or overwatch

[@NearlyNativeNursery]

Thanks for videoing this necessary tool for wood splitting heads. I been looking for how to make this axe drift. Your video are so helpful. How how do you charge for a Scandinavian Forest Axe head type? Keep up the great videos Trobjorn.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks. I don't sell any axe heads. Not yet at least... I have far too little experience with axe designs.

[@NearlyNativeNursery]

Thanks for your reply. keep up the great work.

[@mikeblair2594]

I've had good experience annealing h13 just putting is back in the fire and letting it go out. going home for the night and I usually draw file as I have more files and time than belt grinders.thanx, -mike from Kalapooia forge-

[@torbjornahman]

ok! I wouldn't risk my lathe or milling machine or shop saw for that matter using this method though. It's a tricky alloy!

[@kylongrifle]

We always do a spheroid anneal for H13. from about 1600° with a 40° per hour decrease in temp. Its tough stuff.before we had a kiln we would heat another piece of metal to put in the ashes or vermiculite with it to hold temp a little longer.

[@torbjornahman]

That's a nice trick which also came to my mind when I started grinding... The impression I got was that the thinner sections was harder. Laminating the drift side between two other pieces of hot steel during cooling may work better!

[@ticklemaster6257]

TORBJORN READY TO WORK! (I just had to do it.)

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@deandibling6720]

@torbjornahman Thanks for this great video! One question, though. Why do you preheat the metal before welding?

[@torbjornahman]

Tool steel really don't like to be welded, with local heat.

[@vl_hantverk]

hej Torbjörn , long time,no see. kul att se en ny video, mitt Facebook konto blev hackat så har inte hängt med på dina projekt riktigt, kul med yxor dessutom :-) du får höra av dig när yxorna börjar ta form, jag skulle gladeligen betala stort för ett utav ditt hantverk! Ha det fint!

[@torbjornahman]

Hej. Japp, vi får väl se hur det går... :)

[@davidkungen10]

Håller med Victor, så fort det finns ett pris så kan jag börja spara..

[@AaronLiaxyl]

where do you get stock that large?

[@torbjornahman]

Bought from a friendly blacksmith!

[@Rmillerb1]

What is the size of the power hammer used for the forging of the H13? Fortunately for me, I have the choice of a 50 or a 90 pound self contained hammer to purchase in the next month or 2. I'm having a hard time choosing.Any thoughts Torbjorn?

[@torbjornahman]

It's a 75kg hammer. In my mind you will always look for a bigger hammer :) I would go for the big one, but it depends on what you do! I'm a hobbyist and like to have all options available, but if you're into something specific you might choose after your needs.

[@Rmillerb1]

You mentioned that the profile was a little smaller than expected. Would you increase the size of parent stock if you were doing another? How about 38mm or 1-1/2?Thank you for a great video. As I have mentioned before, there are many of us that appreciate your efforts and learn by watching you do your thing. Hope to meet you one day.Ron

[@torbjornahman]

I don't think I need bigger parent stock... instead of setting it down on the diagonal, I would keep it on the flats and use a fullering tool to spread it sideways. This will of cause result in a rectangular shape and since it's so hard to grind I would figure out a way to forge the round/oval/tear drop shape.... not sure how that is done best though.

[@falloutm134]

Is it just me or that power hammer sounds amazing.

[@torbjornahman]

:) It's better in real life !!

[@falloutm134]

Yeah I bet. You have a wonderful job.

[@doc7615]

Просто музыка для ушей и глаз!!! Мастер!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!!

[@Nebelwerfer210cm]

I see you wear a respirator when welding. I strongly recommend you also wear it when handling vermiculite, that is almost as bad as asbestos in regards to irritating particulates.

[@torbjornahman]

Really? To my knowledge the vermiculite itself is not harmful in that way... but the product can be contaminated with asbestos... that said, you really should avoid all dust if possible, respirator is on!

[@Nebelwerfer210cm]

I use it occasionally at work, and the dust is very hard on your throat and lungs if you work with it for a long time. It may not be cancerous, but it does make you uncomfortable.

[@jakehedge6288]

Hi, Really lovely work. I'd be interested in buying one of these, Is that a possibility? Thanks and great video.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! Not right now... it's not that easy to get hold of large stock H13... maybe in the future.

[@jeremyhamilton3106]

I was curious what the weight of your anvil is? Also I Love watching your content!! ✊⚒️

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! Here is some info - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4ingpWZpLmshNk

[@philipreimers1502]

är det uddeholmsstål? vad kan du rekommendera för stål som är lätt att få tag i till att göra vanliga hammare, jag har hört att drivaxlar till lastbilar och bilar ska kunna funka? Mvh

[@torbjornahman]

Jepp, uddehom ORVAR. Lättast är nog om du får tag i lite 1650 / 1672 (brukar heta C45 nuförtiden), det är förhållandevis lättsmitt och härdas i vatten. Axlar är bra också, men de kan vara av annan kvalitet (kan vara C45) men de flesta är nog i stil med 2244, som härdas i olja. Om du använder okänt material så provhärda någon mindre bit först i olja, och blir det inte hårt så testa vatten.

[@ladedk]

Great!! So will you be selling axe heads any time soon? By the way, thumbs up for using protective gear.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! He he... not any time soon I think... I have way too little axe knowledge at the moment.

[@LinusGustafsson]

Trevlig sida! Gör du slagsidan mjukare för att den inte ska spricka?

[@torbjornahman]

Tack. Japp, det är tanken.

[@quadreye]

I've worked with metal before at my university, with the milling machine and all that stuff, as well as the general sawing, welding, etc. Meanwhile this looks far more fun with more artistic freedom, so I'm really interested to try this someday, but power hammer aside, does it need A LOT of strength to shape the steel with the hammer? I wonder if us ladies can do blacksmithing too...

[@torbjornahman]

Ok, cool. Sure you can, the smaller stuff is no problem. Larger forgings are heavy work for anyone :) Try get in contact with a local blacksmith or group, to try it out!

[@michaelm3732]

Hello. Merci. Enrichissant. Se passer des postes à souder est un chemin nouveau à explorer ? Les maîtres sans passent volontier pour l âme d'un sabre... Merci encore pour votre partage.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks. Yes you can do a lot of work without a welder, but it's a good thing to have.

[@tonho3794]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@Granite]

Aardvark Pays off.

[@jowanmay6358]

overwatch lol

[@paranoy69]

super good video. The steel *H13* it is like what kind of Hardox steel. Hardox100, -200-, -300-, -400-, -500-? do you use H13 when you do the cutting part of an axe?

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks. H13 is not related to the hardox designation at all. H stands for "Hot working steel". I think it has allot more chromium content. It is no good for an edge..

[@paranoy69]

Thanks, i will ask to the owner of the place that i bought my pieces of steel. May be i will know. Because from different place in the world, the same material does not name by the same name. Have a good day.

[@rickhardin2275]

Did you choose the H13 for a reason? Or was it something you had around the shop?Love your videos, keep them coming!!!

[@torbjornahman]

He he, wouldn't choose that for no reason :) It's a hot working steel and keeps its shape and hardness even at a red heat. This means that I can forge on the axe with the drift in place and not deform it.

[@rickhardin2275]

Thanks! I've never worked with H13 before sounds like the perfect metal for the job.

[@ahorseman4ever1]

You said that the H13 steel was hard to work. What kind of steel would you use if you were to hand forge it. Would spring steel from a coil spring work? I always enjoy your videos

[@torbjornahman]

I would probably go for something like 4140 or 4340. Spring steel would probably work too.

[@ahorseman4ever1]

@@torbjornahman thank you, I've been a farrier for 30 years but I'm just venturing into black smithing. I always appreciate your videos.

[@kensmith8832]

H13 is also very difficult to harden in a blacksmith shop. All the data I can find shows using a computer controlled furnace. I know some would see a video of the process as boring, but it would be nice to see. I have machined H13 extrusion dies, but never thought of using it in a blacksmith shop.

[@torbjornahman]

Correct! Almost all steel is impossible to heat treat to spec in a simple forge. For this application I'm not after the properties that heat treatment gives. For a drift like this the important part is the H13 steels ability to withstand high heat without deforming (too much)....

[@kensmith8832]

So you don't temper the H13, just air hardening. Back in the 1980's there was a sister alloy to H13 called I12. I have been doing research and can find no trace of the data on I12. We used it on 1" thick extrusion dies when the H13 order had been delayed. I have watched this video at least 3 times and each time I am amazed at how little the H13 is displaced with each strike of the hammer. Other blacksmiths use 4340 for drifts as it is easier to form. Do you have any thoughts of 4340?

[@torbjornahman]

Yes air hardened or as forged... A drift will often heat up beyond tempering temperatures anyway, so you will loose whatever properties you have there. I haven't used 4340 that much, but many smiths seems to like it. It also air hardens somewhat.

[@MakeChips69]

nice video. ;) your big power hammer has a bad oil seal? i noticed oil drops caching fire on the hot tool.

[@torbjornahman]

I don't think it's bad... but I feed it quite allot of oil.

[@sayyang767]

Do you still doing this time? If I need one or two still available?

[@jeremynading2006]

Not that I'm claiming to know everything about crafting of the metallurgical arts, but the only thing I saw wrong with your test piece was it's a little off kilter. By that I mean in the process of working it, it turned. Not enough to really notice unless you have a perfectionists eye, which I do do to my OCD. Other than that I think it looks pretty good in all reality.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@savagelands7340]

h13 is really good to use with hot steel but really expensive right? how much cost your billet and where can i take, thank you

[@torbjornahman]

It's hard to come by in smaller quantities. Bought mine from another blacksmith. The billet probably will cost you $60 or so from a supplier.

[@savagelands7340]

mm okok, thank you, i searched online but nothing, will see in future