Blacksmithing - Forging an axe

[@celsosepulveda3363]

Mister Torbjörn, I watch many independent blacksmiths on youtube, but your videos are by far the best ones I have came across on this site. The amount of patience and detail in your work is astounding, your workshop is really impressive and I love the small, calm and relaxing pauses with natural landscapes you use in your videos. You always make an extra effort and don't use things like saws or sandpapers machines unless it's absolutely necessary, your predilection for manual tasks shows off in the end, you put a lot of soul in your work, you won a loyal fan, greetings from Chile and keep the good work!

[@celsosepulveda3363]

I would like to know how did you learn to blacksmith like that, do you have specific education that favors you? (Like an engineering career)

[@torbjornahman]

Oh, thank you very much!!!

[@torbjornahman]

I'm mostly self taught. I have always loved to make stuff and work with my hands, and when I tried blacksmithing at a young age, that rooted something in me I guess. I have a short about text on my web page if you're interested.

[@zirakzigil18]

you have good taste Celso

[@austinm.rennie9192]

i really like the sharpening stone. interesting to see someone use just a good quality rock instead of the synthetic ones.

[@devinnelson9386]

not all stones nowadays are synthetic, just cut square.

[@ChidleyCoote]

This is one of THE most fascinating videos that I have ever seen ! You truly are a craftsman.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you very much!

[@isaclackstrom]

Torbjörn Åhman kan du göra en video där du pratar svenska och säger vad saker och ting heter

[@ThaSmitty1]

Great video to watch. no talking, no music, just work. well done!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!!

[@Shalor93]

'Why would you want to split your cutting edg- He's gonna do an insert!' Huge respect for going the extra mile.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@masemasemasie]

He’s putting carbon steel in there so the cutting edge doesn’t roll over and can hold a good edge compared to the softer steel for the main head,which is so it doesn’t crack.

[@MrHamniles]

It gives me a sense of how easy we have it these days to see all the work that went into this one beautiful hatchet. Good work, man! Making tools is so satisfying! Thanks for the lovely video.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you Ham!

[@falloutm134]

I think you nailed this one. I love the unfinished look.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@eggycat]

*axed :)

[@poundtownmetalworks6530]

the unfinished look is such a great feel when done this level. it showcased the hand forged aspect!

[@davidfraser4830]

As a fellow artisan its a pleasure to see you work. So much of what we do is so wonderfully quiet and patient and your videos ooze that wonderful world we live in. Thanks for giving us a peek

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@thehomesteadcraftsman8975]

You've got some nice videos, watched this one as well as making the drift. Really enjoyed seeing the project as well as your work space, especially your anvil, quite nice. Thank you.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@reeseclyde5907]

You probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost my login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me.

[@reignben2284]

@Reese Clyde instablaster :)

[@reeseclyde5907]

@Reign Ben I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@reeseclyde5907]

@Reign Ben it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account!

[@oneleggyboi]

your craftsmanship is impeccable. i literally can watch you work for hours.

[@oneleggyboi]

who am i kidding. i do watch your work for hours lol.

[@torbjornahman]

Ha ha. Thanks!

[@jan_bsk3087]

Awesome Job! One day i will build my very own axe too! I learned a lot from this video. Thank you for that

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@rodneydelaney9227]

Can not get enough of your videos I was never interested in Blacksmithing until watching your channel and still yet to try.

[@moet1114]

I love the simplicity and peaceful nature of ur videos. Keep it up Torbjörn🙂👍

[@DannyProton]

You know when I was 11 I wanted to be a blacksmith. This video is further proof why I should be one! You do such a good job! Keep doing what you do!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! Gather some tools and start!

[@鍾馗-z4z]

好喜歡聽到這種打鐵的聲音,懷念爸爸跟阿公做刀的樣子!我好想哭~

[@papperiposten3899]

鍾馗 i know right

[@forgelaurent9418]

Thank you for taking the time to show us the making process step by step, the final result looks truly amazing! You inspired me to forge my own, more primitive, hatchet. Nice touchmark stamp as well!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@Moonfleet41]

Love watching your videos, Greetings from England. Del.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@saxon215]

these videos represent the benchmark in educational videos. I learn something new every time I watch and I always catch myself thinking why has he done that and then in the next scene it becomes apparent. not only the content but the way that every shot is set up with real thought and care to catch the work and techniques being used. thank you for the effort you put in it really makes for great viewing.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you very much, once again! There are always things I wish I would have made differently, but all in all it came together quite ok.

[@saxon215]

+Torbjörn Åhman there's always number 3, perfection is impossible to achieve which is why it's a good challenge

[@Kuba-nf5vx]

Perfection itself... I wish I had one ;-) Handmade tools are tools with spirit. Good luck, greetings from the Czech Republic.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@damionlowther78]

I sure hope you know how inspirational your work is to us amateurs. Your videos have been a great help in my learning of new skills and techniques. Thank you for taking the time to share.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you, that's great to hear!

[@ZHFabrications]

Great work!

[@pjhalchemy]

Poetry in motion, Celestial symmetry, Mind of a Mentat, with the heart and soul of an artisan. Salute to you Torbjorn! So Inspiring! Gratefully ~PJ

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks again PJ

[@hermannstraub3743]

Wonderful piece! Very well done, congratulations. And good video as well.

[@torbjornahman]

Danke!

[@loul7239]

That bottle of boiled linseed oil is the only dirty, unkempt or otherwise "messy" thing I have ever seen in your otherwise beautifully well kept shop. Thanks for having an imperfection! Amazing work, you make it look easy

[@torbjornahman]

Oh you haven't seen it all :) I could spend days cleaning and organizing.... Thanks!!

[@Castle6064]

a thing of beauty, congradulations

[@stickycasket2914]

From Russia with love! It's nice to watch. Great work! From subscriber Yuri The Professional.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!!

[@TehMaticus]

Oh man, the ring of that anvil. That's a good anvil... So many blacksmiths I've seen on youtube are using old dead or cheap anvils. An anvil like this is worth its weight in gold to a craftsman.

[@alanpartridge2140]

Swedish steel

[@alanpartridge2140]

None of that Chinese crap

[@mountaingoat4124]

Very Impressive work, I enjoyed the video during our crazy times. I never thought of laminated axe before, very clever skills. I bought many hand-forged blades from Sweden, Finland and Norway based blacksmiths and I have to say it must be in your DNA, well done from Australia.

[@jmsmith1767]

That ax is pretty magical

[@poundtownmetalworks6530]

i love how refined his finish is just with hand tools and skill

[@hoburga8]

Love your videos, great watching a craftsman plying his skills. Well done.

[@goof2118]

I wish I had half of the equipment and skill this guy has.

[@spoookey7132]

Samuel Pippin a good blacksmith only buys powertools and misc and make the rest them selves

[@spoookey7132]

Samuel Pippin or at least they are able to :x, my blacksmith teacher started with a hairdrier a hacksaw a forginghammer, he bought some other later, but he forged knifeblades and sold them to earn every tool he needed

[@bibbabibba1975]

Im sorta in the same boat right now, I have a steel bucket and a hairdryer, right now im trying to make tongs so I can put small objects in and out of the forge.

[@NKG416]

Eric Kelly we are on the same boat,i'm still struggling with tongs so i bought that locking pliers haha

[@arkadijskulackovskis839]

I'm Bored im in the same situation right now to,im using a steel bucket of cement with a hole in midle and im grinding with a belt sander thats ment to sand floors and thet thing doesnt eaven make sparks.

[@dougsmith548]

As always another excellent video. That is a beautiful. Axe. Stay safe and God bless.🇨🇦✌️

[@knivesstuff]

Love this! great work :) Simple but traditional design.

[@RickRabjohn]

What a terrific video - I love making axes, and it was nice watching your process. Your shop also looks great and thanks for sharing.

[@torbjornahman]

Great. Thanks!

[@michaelgierusz5754]

Your layout of your workbench and your equipment makes me so jealous haha

[@Vivungisport]

Same here .. i want this stuff too :))

[@adrianlouviere7650]

beautiful work. I loved your process. Thanks for sharing.

[@Flightfirewithfire]

stunning sir, I envy your skill

[@deckiedeckie]

The big companies swindle folks into buying the inferior product they put out....but the truth is, to most people ,the stuff like you make, is not avaiable. or one doesn't know how to find it....Beautiful and practical stuff...reminds me of my childhood in NW Spain where the town smith fixed all the agricultural implements, the plows....shoed the cows and the horses/donkies......another universe altogether.....Thank k you for the video sir!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@RonRay]

Only one thing I see wrong with this axe... It's not here with me!

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks

[@stephensullivan201]

+Torbjörn Åhman g

[@superviggobros7606]

haha funny not funny

[@superviggobros7606]

it is no wrong with this axe

[@Slappos]

super viggo bros but fnaf sister location game plays are?

[@coreyshier7526]

Very Nice !! Love the natural finish on it.

[@mistervelvetshoes]

finally the one I've been waiting for!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Ha ha, thanks.

[@markwilson3941]

I like watching this guy work! Nice to see stuff done right with pride in his workmanship also. Very nice. Thankyou sir

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you Mark!

[@陈伊-x3c]

Love it, Great job! ! Thanks!

[@jojomama4787]

looking forward to the day I get a power hammer,the neighbourhood kids who used to help as strikers now flee when they smell the forge starting...such a useful tool,oh,and congratulations on your 60,000,I think that heart you forged touch us all

[@torbjornahman]

Keep your eyes open! Some day you will find one.... Thanks!

[@Juju_Miner]

This is true art! not that junk you see in art galleries.

[@jackcarter6629]

What are you talking about? Have you been in an art gallery before? Seen the sculptures? What about 7'x9' paintings? Go look at them then compare this axe to them. o_O

[@Juju_Miner]

I have seen been to art galleries before some are amazing some not so much and you damn well know which ones i was talking about so stop trying to start something out of nothing.

[@sockhead579]

um if anyone here started something out of nothing its you

[@Fratananical]

It is very good but it is craft not art, because it is primarily concerned with technique as opposed to ideas.

[@natanielbarbosa8820]

juju miner

[@mistersmith3986]

Of all the axe videos on KZbin, this one is my favorite. Thank you.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@dixonqwerty]

Ååååå, den här karamellen skall jag suga på en stund! Perfekt video när jag går och lägger mig ikväll. Kan knappt vänta!! Det är så grymma videos du gör Torbjörn så man blir mållös. :)

[@torbjornahman]

Nu får jag nästan ångest. Hoppas du inte blir besviken. Tack!

[@dixonqwerty]

Jag blir aldrig besviken. Det här var din bästa video hittills. Det var kul att se lite av omgivningarna också. Fantastiskt vackert, och en fin yxa du fick gjort med. Lösningen med "korvbrännarn" såg lite säkrare ut i den här videon. ;)

[@torbjornahman]

Tack. Jo, ugnen står lite bättre såhär... får fundera över en mer permanent lösning....

[@thornwarbler]

great accomplishment making your own tools .............Superb ,thanks for filming it all

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks.

[@piercer4882]

awesome job!

[@bretthannan5127]

Nice job,very well done,great to watch

[@gary3353]

No dancing no singing no X factor nonsense true real mans craftsmanship men were respected for having these skills at one time quality craftsmanship 👍

[@TheWoodsman661]

Some people still have respect for a man/woman that can do this.

[@RonRay]

Great little axe! I can tell that not only your steel, but your "mind and personality" is strongly tempered as well. Your tools and your surroundings all speak of quality and perfection. 😀👍

[@torbjornahman]

:) It does? Thank you!!

[@RonRay]

Yes sir, it does.

[@Iceman-go1gs]

that's a big ass anvil

[@alaskanalain]

I mindlessly watched the whole video. It is strangely soothing and relaxing, informative too. Thank you

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! :)

[@Snib1]

Queue techno music 1:41

[@kmnmalaska]

Excellent work, excellent video! I'm a carpenter, and I could watch videos like this all day.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@olechuga2]

Great video, Sir.

[@tropifiori]

Very nice. New forge is working nicely.

[@TheSmartodd]

Well worth watching - something to be proud of !!

[@Ttamlin]

That is one beautiful hatchet. Well done, and very interesting to watch, as always.

[@benm5913]

That is one serious swage block.

[@stargatefred]

Ben M o

[@ferencdrobina899]

aBen M

[@Chris-sv7xq]

i just started forging and enjoy watching your videos . very professional.i hope to learn more and more.my kids want to learn also which has me excited. like your work.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you! That's great to hear. I wish you all good luck on your journey. Promise to be careful!

[@Codethe_Road]

Watched a guy do all of this manually and it took him like an hour to do what you did in a less than a minute. Haha.

[@alkane2561]

There's a lot of editing and time lapsing

[@haroldbalzac6336]

Ali Loominaty Khan no shit

[@Remowylliams]

Always enjoy watching your videos. Besides the craftsmanship you display, the quality is always to be admired. Your video work is easily as good. Lighting, angle and the care you take to find places where speeding things up is very conscientious of your viewers. Thank you for sharing. Remo

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@ImperialStormtrooper-66]

С таким топором не страшно в лес ходить!)))

[@alejandrosandoval2824]

Excelentes todos tus trabajos!!!! Saludos desde Argentina, La Plata!!!!

[@АлексейАлександров-и2о]

Вот такой топорик в хозяйство,весьма приятно иметь.

[@uncut_cowboy]

Thank you so much for sharing Torbjorn, I live in urban California, USA and without videos like these, I doubt I would ever be able to have such an experience.

[@torbjornahman]

Great, thanks!

[@ogpk3]

i want to start blacksmithing but my mum won't let me :(

[@torbjornahman]

How old are you? Sure you need to be careful but I believe driving a car is way more dangerous.

[@ogpk3]

Torbjörn Åhman thank you for the reply i am currently 12 but in a week i will turn 13 :D i am still trying to convince her.

[@alecjohnson5043]

Honestly that sounds young to start something like this. These guys make it seem "kinda" easy and safe but it is very dangerous and difficult to do. Maybe start working with metals like aluminum and mess around with it. its a soft metal and has low melting temperature so it doesnt really require a blast furnace

[@torbjornahman]

Alec Johnson It's not "very dangerous" at all and we don't use blast furnaces... If you think trough what you do and use whatever PPE you think is necessary, there shouldn't be a problem. I would recommend to try and get in touch with some local blacksmith who can teach the basics though.

[@alecjohnson5043]

12 year old playing with extremely hot metal sounds dangerous to me. When it's someone who knows what they're doing no not dangerous at all really. But someone who doesn't really know what their doing or have proper safety equipment, sounds like a bad idea.

[@killerkane1957]

Excellent work Torbjorn! Typical for you! Love your work and video presentation. Thank you for taking the time to share with us! Su Amigo Siempre.

[@monicaturner5984]

This is one of THE most fascinating videos that I have ever seen ! You truly are a craftsman.

[@Madnessofmusic]

What's with the respirator? Love the axe by the way!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks. I like to protect my lungs from all the dust floating around in the shop. That's all.

[@kilorethiw]

+Torbjörn Åhman what is the liquid you put on it?

[@torbjornahman]

Dennis W At the end? Linseed oil

[@kilorethiw]

When you were putting the blade into the head

[@torbjornahman]

Dennis W Ah, no liquid, powder. It's flux to keep the weld clean.

[@raymondchu8781]

a good weapon, an even better tool. an axe worthy of the name. Good job man.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@timbirch4999]

Love your power hammer! Want!

[@ericbolstad3555]

A power hammer would bee sweeeeet!!

[@Frankallen12]

You Sir are an Artist!This is like a Painting but you have a different Canvas! Thank You so much for uploading this! You are a Master!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@gettinwithit9275]

After all of that work I would be afraid to use it!

[@pauldrowns7270]

After all that work, it is to be used! I have, and use several handmade tools that date back to the mid-1800s, and they work just fine. Better than new! Replace handles as needed...

[@poundtownmetalworks6530]

kinda feel the same way lol

[@DisembodiedSouthernVoice]

After all that work it's a shame not to use it...

[@SugarcreekForge]

Beautifully done! I am inspired. I have always wanted to forge a hatchet.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! Yes, it has been a long time "goal" for me as well !

[@lorraineadormonicus]

I think my screen is broken because I tried to punch my hand through the screen and get the axe and uuhhhh..you know...

[@kanejaywolf94]

Me too

[@timjames-hammond6643]

great craftsmanship. nicely done.

[@trentjames3355]

I never understood why u need to split the axe and heat weld the piece in between

[@torbjornahman]

The body is made from mild steel which cant be hardened and wont hold an edge. You need proper steel for the edge. You could make the whole axe from steel, but it's harder to work and a bit more expensive to "waste" steel where it's not needed.

[@WilEFowler3]

Thanks! I was wondering about that, too.

[@paradisefalls37]

Your axe looks amazing. Great craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing.

[@remo3689]

Build em up up, break em down

[@einzigkeit7216]

Beautiful work and craftsmanship.

[@TASMAN-1]

This is not art, it's a trade that represents a bygone era, a valuable trade & life skill. I see true craftsmanship here, not "art". It's skills like this you want when the oil industry fades away.

[@Vivungisport]

Tasman . Yes!! This is true knowledge !

[@felixhaimson8921]

Tasman it's not so much a piece of art as there is an art to making it. There is a functional beauty to it that may seem artful to some

[@arkadijskulackovskis839]

Tasman in my opinion it is art,so id dont care waht other think, it is art.

[@alkane2561]

Arkādijs Kulačkovskis cthe difference between a skill and art is that with skill you can do something, but art is when you do it beautifully. This is the prime example of something being a work of art and a skill at the same time

[@mattmelton8136]

You can't buy that kind of beauty. That is far better than grandfors. You really have talent.

[@joseppik8514]

COME GET YER ARMOR

[@kavwolf82]

Potato Human overwatch

[@standemlgboieeey6366]

Kill Me Now HARD WORK PAYS OFF

[@thenextlevel2225]

I knew i was not the only one

[@Nebulax123]

Very nice work! I never use metal cross wedges when hafting a tool. They split the wood as it did in this case and allow water and moisture to enter. When properly fit and yours was there is no need for them the wooden wedge will never move if kept oiled.

[@torbjornahman]

I think you're right!

[@davesmith5656]

I'd put two 3mm pins through the head and the handle, a couple of inches apart north-south, hammer them flat and grind a bit for finish if you want. A bit of added work for anyone to restore 100 years from now, but the only way the head leaves the handle is rot and rust. Puzzles me why people don't do that.

[@bouncyybear1860]

ardvark pays off

[@sarahanncatania4617]

Very nice work. Wonderful video.

[@diecast_5913]

that auto hammer is bad.

[@hiddokramer]

Mike Dale how?, its quality

[@torbjornahman]

I'm pretty sure Mike's comment is a bit ironic...

[@diecast_5913]

Hiddo kramer 😁😁 bad as in BADASS! I love it...

[@puppets1979]

Torbjörn Åhman, your video was absolutely breathtaking. As a fellow follower of the craft, I stand in awe of your dedication to it, and the fact that your hatchet was forged using a tool (the drift) you also forged shows your passion for it as well. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you very much!!

[@ea_x_ea]

Another excellent video. Great stuff.

[@severoromo640]

You inspire and amaze. Keep sharing your great work.

[@torbjornahman]

Great! Thank you!

[@charlesissleepy]

beautiful work, beautiful tool

[@keghinian]

why would anyone give thumbs down to this great video...excellent job, thank you for sharing this wonderful work.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@james5553]

Thank you for taking the time to film this.

[@stevemackelprang8472]

I've been following along since you installed the power hammer... and now I understand better! The initial piercing of the blank was incredible!! Great work as always.

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@shenron4]

Thats a nice pattern on the head of the hatchet. Oh and good job doing that door

[@HudsonLobo-007]

Trabalho incrível. Assisto várias vezes cada vídeo e não me canso. Parabéns e obrigado por mostrar!

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you!

[@HaLo2FrEeEk]

This is probably one of my new favorite videos from you. I love watching the whole process, especially the part about attaching the handle. I can't stand watching a video about making an axe and at the end it's just the axe head. Very well done, and the finished product looks, and seemed to perform, beautifully!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!!

[@RovingPunster]

25:13 Wow, an old fashioned natural whetstone. Old school rox ! 😍 Finished axe is a beaut ... seems right up there with Hoffman axes in appearance.