Brush Axe Restored With Melted Aluminum Cans

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I have an old brush axe with a broken handle. Rather than just making a regular wooden handle, I decide to triple my work by melting aluminum cans and casting a new aluminum handle. Will it work?
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0:00 Intro
0:57 Disassembly
1:37 Making pattern
8:51 Draftkings
10:06 Melting cans into ingots
19:49 Cleaning axe head
20:14 Mold preparation
29:38 Melting ingots
32:59 Pouring
34:25 Opening mold
36:34 Finishing handle
40:13 Mount axe head
43:25 Sharpening
44:23 Testing it out
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[@FarmCraft101]

Don’t miss out on all the action this week at DraftKings! Download the DraftKings app today! Sign-up using dkng.co/farmcraft or through my promo code FARMCRAFT. Have an awesome weekend everybody!!

[@psywiped]

Did your account get hacked? Did you get hacked? Are you being held captive? Should we send help?

[@basecom70]

@@psywiped No need to send help, it is just another "creator" cashing in. Pretty soon we will see commercials in our dreams unless we pay for dreams+. Even with the commercial the content is worth it.

[@basecom70]

Oh and I pay $19 for KZbin Premium so I don't have to watch the added commercials, maybe another revenue stream to remove commercials for inside content, $29 or $39 maybe?

[@spik330]

Just as a heads up, I'm not a fan of watching or encourage gambling. DraftKings gambling and I would appreciate it if you didn't take sponsors that are actively trying to take peoples money.

[@6Diego1Diego9]

I can't believe you took money from a sleazy gambling company. And you are encouraging kids to gamble.

[@SupremeRuleroftheWorld]

the motto i learned from my grandfather: "We do this not because it was easy but because we thought it was easy"

[@mwilliamshs]

Do + was? No. Did + was or do + is

[@Moonsauc3]

@@mwilliamshs your math is horrible.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@mwilliamshs okay Grammer Nazi

[@mwilliamshs]

grammar doesn't have an e and nazi is discriminatory

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@mwilliamshs your still proving my point keyboard Warrior

[@jughead8988]

This video brought to mind, a long long time ago there was a cool channel that melted down a bunch of aluminum cans and made a AR-15 lower! That guy was cool!

[@PaulRansonArt]

Hi John - now I recognise that as a billhook here in the UK. Our one is sharpened on the inner curved edge so it creates a curved cut into brush and branches. The inward curve helps stop the cutting edge sliding off the branch and chopping your leg off! Just sayin' - great video as always 😃😃

[@harbl99]

Wonderfully versatile tool. Historically used for lopping branches, harvesting fruit, coppicing, cutting hedgerows, and shortening Frenchmen.

[@rubenlewis5488]

I'm in Ireland and I would have called that a hedge knife, and I would know a billhook as a similar blade, sharp on the inside, but with a short handle. All very useful tools!

FYI, it's call "serpe" in France, lots of fond memory of my late grandfather using one when doing forestry jobs.

[@TIMMEH19991]

Round here in North Staffs, referred to as a woodhook, or with accent wood-oook LOL

[@Stephen-ou4sy]

Some people here in Australia call them snake charmers

[@brannonwhite3036]

NEW Brush Axe at Lowe’s: $53.98 Fuel to get there: : $3.19 Getting to show off using your $200k worth of machining tools, your forge and molding artistry while avoiding untold hours of farm chores all in the name of KZbin content: PRICELESS!

[@tinydancer7426]

Sling Blade, mm-hm. 😆 That was one hell of a movie. I had never never seen Billy Bob Thornton in anything before seeing that movie. That was one doozy of a role and he played it so, so well. Mm-hm. Now that you have rebuilt your brush axe, now all you need is a small sized motorized mulcher grinder to walk behind you as you clear/clean up the paths, mulch/grind the debris and blow it into the wooded areas off the paths.

[@Wakeywhodat]

I didn’t know him until that role, either. You wouldn’t recognize him but he also played the cheating farrow dealer in Tombstone. “Why Johnny Tyler, where you going with that shotgun?”

[@Wakeywhodat]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJnHd2qjfZeBq80

[@dave1135]

That was billy bob Thornton's very first role, plus he wrote the screenplay for it. He's very versatile in many things

[@tinydancer7426]

@@dave1135 Didn't know it was his first.

[@MikeZMonroe]

Just started your videos maybe six months now. Not knowing technical background but you have a very high knowledgeable metallurgical background, plus mechanical expertise. I work 37 yrs with highly experienced tech guys; metallurgists, design engineers, mechanical engineers list goes on. Some had no common sense but were super intelligent. Wish I had worked with guys like you over the years. Smart practical, humorous with practical common sense.

[@azuthal]

as smartereveryday has been saying for years. farmers are the smartest people around

[@FishFind3000]

@@azuthal not sure if there the smartest but the have to be very creative.

[@joedowling5452]

Thanks Jon. Just what I needed. Another “hobby”.

[@williamgilmore7453]

That's a lot of work for a $25.00 tool. I like your videos. I am a retired toolmaker and Rocket test Engineer, and I recognise a kindred spirit in you. I do wonder when you have time to farm though. keep the videos coming. John.

[@andrewhall2554]

For what it's worth, where I am from in Northeastern Minnesota (USA) this tool was called a brush hook. As a young man in the 1960's, I spent hours (and not particularly happy ones, by the way) swinging one of these while clearing brush with my Boy Scout troop. I had nearly forgotten about this form of torture from my childhood...😕

[@lvance3236]

My guess is a wooden handle would be superior. Wood absorbs vibration better, has the ability to flex a bit (on impact), and is likely lighter than the aluminum handle. On a hot day, that aluminum handle might be uncomfortably warm. Either way, wood is certainly a LOT less work to make than aluminum. It will be interesting to see what your perspective down the road is - especially if you compare it to one with a wood handle.

[@bf760]

not to mention you can buy a wooden handle at a hardware store in under 5 minutes.

[@2990rick]

@@bf760 🤔🤔🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Noplacetobe]

@@bf760Not to mention that he made a wooden handle in the first place 😂

[@alandwells]

@@bf760 Where's the fun in that!?

[@tommoores1531]

It will make your hands really cold in cold weather

[@kevinromania]

The variety and honesty of your content keeps me watching. And on top of this you run a farm with lovely cows. We need to see more cows :) Thank you from me in Wintery England and Summers in Romania.

[@nightshadetea7180]

ok as someone who just found your channel, i was taken by suprise by the intro voice so hard but i kinda quickly acclimated it, and then you hit me with the double whammy. well played.

[@johncourtneidge]

Thank-you. Here in England it is called 'a slasher'. Mine, bought in, has a wooden (ash?) handle. I had imagined that it would be used with an upward stroke. Time, on that will tell. Again, thank-you!

[@jasongarland3165]

John, if you're going to melt cans to make ingots, get some 1.5" or 2" angle iron and weld up some ingot trays. Once they're put together, get then rusty. The aluminum won't stick to iron oxide. Three or four pieces of 2"x12" angle iron with angle iron ends makes nice convenient ingot trays and they last longer than a muffin tray.

[@miningsimple1924]

Great video!! Like always. I know I will throughly enjoy any video you put out. Keep it up !! I can't speak for everyone. But I really enjoy a longer video like this, although the KZbin algorithm might not 🤷‍♂️

[@gregwitkamp5583]

Looks like a High School metal working class from way back in the 60’s Very nice to see that all of your hard tedious work paid off, very nice project to share with of all. I would still use my one handed Echo chain saw , I’m 73 and I’m all about making it easy now

[@TCW-hw6iw]

I got introduced to one of these things while fighting a bush fire. It didn't take long to wear a man down. In Canada they are also called 'bill hooks' and come in two sizes, long handle and short handle. We renamed them kill hooks as they were darn dangerous in close quarters. From observation only, you could throw a short handle one farther into a swamp!

[@ducktapepilot]

They call them kaiser blades where I'm from. I have one my grandpa gave me years ago. They are very handy when clearing out bushy etc.

[@baconatordoom]

Some folks call it a sling blade, mhmm.

[@mschmitz57]

This is easily my favorite channel now.

[@vonpoop1102]

Gets a like from a passer-by for that chisel split. Unnerving, but perfect. Very nice.

[@looklookerlooking]

Make a duster bag out of an old sock to dust the mold and add more water to your greensand . Dust the part/mold a little heavier and pound out harder ,that will virtually eliminate breakout or to need to screw on that wood backer. When I was casting years ago, I always cut the vents and pours channels after the mold was pounded out. I appreciate your videos, keep'em coming👍

[@KerboOnYT]

I would prefer a wood handle but hey, good excuse to melt and cast 😊 Nice to see an old tool get a new life

[@phazephusion]

Kudos to what I guess is one of your daughters for operating the camera in several shots. It's nice to have another person track the action. Thank you Jon for another great video.

[@tutekohe1361]

Here in New Zealand that tool would be called a Long-handled Slasher. Great video.

[@zenjon7892]

The entertainment value of this channel is top notch! Want to learn how to use a chainsaw? You have it. Casting? You also have that. Blacksmithing? Yes. Fixing old equipment? Yup. It's a good blend. The editing and use of music are also high-quality

[@victor58010]

Perfect weapon for the zombie apocalypse! Club on one end ,and axe on the other,awesome! Lots of work on your part,and very entertaining. Well done ,and thanks for all the hard work ,not to mention all the filming and editing.

[@TheWibbo]

That's some jedi level of making a simple task (wooden handle) complicated, loved it.. my hats off to you.

[@WatchWesWork]

I remember doing some amateur casting with cans. It never seemed to work very well. You might try remelting some higher silica cast aluminum from an engine block or something.

[@FarmCraft101]

Yeah, I know cans don't make the best castings, but it's fun turning common trash into something useful. I might actually try adding 10% silicon in the future to see how much that improves the result.

[@stanleykeith6969]

I Hear your Wife as the Camera Person, 🥰 she does Great work too ! Great Job John, your video's are always good.

[@GOGS-zg7rd]

Good to see the foundry reopened. Great stuff as always. Thank you!

[@joec880]

These kinds of videos are definitely my favorite. Melts are really cool.

[@davidjondoh8671]

hot 😉

[@jamescole1786]

2/10/23; John. Excellent retro on your 'swing blade'/brush axe handle. Melting old Aluminun soda cans in proper mini furnice/kiln complete with pouring tongs & silver gloves was very attention getting! Start of video implied replacing wooden swing blade handle with another wood handle...but slowly, we all watched you cast a long *Aluminum* handle. Always impressed with high quality multi-trade/skills & machine shop tools you have. Great job! 👍👍👍🛠😊

[@pedalpetter5865]

Dear John, as a professional carpenter I can give you an important tip. 08:25 never work towards your body always away from the body. Especially with sharp tools. Best wishes from 🇩🇪

[@deadwood3764]

agreed!

[@brucepickess8097]

Agree, using a saw like that can make you very SORE.😩🇬🇧

[@watcherofwatchers]

This takes me back to when you were casting cannons. It doesn't seem so long ago, yet it does seem an eternity ago at the same time! Good stuff, John!

[@goldielocks2621]

Really interesting! In the north of Ireland this is referred to as a "Slap Stick" unfortunately it's more a museum piece these days. Tractors with hydraulic cutting tools now destroy the hedge rows and trees tearing open the branches leaving them more susceptible to disease. The Brush Axe, Bill Hook, Slap Stick wasn't only better for the hedges and trees but better for us also, you got a good workout and were much more healthier.

[@johndowe7003]

You go cut 5miles of hedge by hand 😂

[@richxts1357]

If that was "Wifey" behind the camera, I think you should commit John to a "Nervous Hospital", he needs help, at least for a few weeks to get his mind back on track after all the work on the "Sling Blade" handle. I give him all the credit in the world for his knowledge and work energy! The man is a genius! Tks for the video.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Awesome restoration on the brush Axe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jasonstadnyk2348]

Your cannon replica was what brought me to your channel, doing this does bring back memories of those early days :) Thank you!

[@erikjoven2388]

very cool - did not realize you had such a well equipped wood shop. That jointer is a dream machine for me! looks like such a great machine

[@thomaslemay8817]

I used a similar tool fighting forest fire for the USFS. Those were sharp on the inside curve only, with the handle mounted to the back edge of the blade, the blade was a lot heavier, an extremely effective tool . In the U.S. Forest Service Safety manual they were called them Brush Hooks. I have seen a 4-inch pine tree cut down with a single swing. The ones we had the blade Wade about three-and-a-half 4 lb ,blade was 11 in Long. Larger heavier branded Plum, True Temper, and a couple of other brands I don't recall. U.S. Forest Service being largest firefighting agency in the world bought and an enormous number of hand tools.

[@SDSBBQs]

I am digging the new camera and new camera person helping! Great job.

[@drakegreen6939]

Yes! Just what I needed, 49minutes of mechanical serenity. Thank you. :)

[@mdlanor5414]

Been watching your videos for quite some time. Whenever you make or repair anything. You go all in. Excellent job and great video.

[@tomoaktree4951]

Nice work on the replacement handle! Should last forever! To prevent the corrosion, there is a chemical used in electric connections that would work. It comes in a tube. Unfortunately it would require disassembly.

[@arqchunk]

It’s not a FarmCarft video if it doesn’t start with the ”Hey, welcome to FarmCraft”, great videos!! Keep up the good work!!! 🍻

[@carnaud]

Where I am from, we call that a brush “hook”. A brush “axe” has a much thicker blade and is only sharpened on the hooked side. I used to work as a land surveyor and swing one of those things all summer clearing line (of sight) for the instrument. Fun times. Nice work on the handle!

[@Adam_Lynn]

👍

[@megapint1626]

I have always known them as a kaiser blade, but you’re spot on with what I knew growing up in the south with the brush axe. Similar shape but much thicker, inside blade only, and offset handle.

[@carnaud]

@@megapint1626 yeah…forgot the offset handle element of it

[@howarddodson3510]

“Takes a bit longer and cost a tad more than hickory” 😂. Loved watching this intense handle replacement. Looking @ the forms and lots of additional off camera work, it’s easy to see this was quite an investment of your time. I truly enjoyed watching. Keep up the good work.

[@davidtyers4903]

Here in the UK that's a Billhook and is a primary tool for hedge laying. That's a quality tool you have there.

[@Debbiebabe69]

We have a full set of hedgelaying tools in the toolshed of our cricket club - probably untouched for 40+ years until someone curious (ie me) found them stored in the roof lats... Had to engoogle them to find out what they were as they just looked like a set of medieval weapons...... Had some REALLY strange looks from some of our players when we lost a ball in the beck and someone wanted a 'stick' to retrieve it, so as a joke I fished out one of these tools......

[@davidplante9106]

Life isn't always about doing things the easy way. Sometimes you do things the hard way because of what you can learn in the process and because you can. Great video about casting aluminum.

[@jumpleadsx2]

I have a short handled bill hook. Sharp only on the inside. Much easier to handle and much more versatile than the long handled version. You can take it on a walk quite easily, not like the thing you got there!

[@samuelhart9087]

Been binging this content the last couple of days. Looking forward to watching this one.

[@meisterrumspuckl3965]

That´s what we want to see: John at his finest, with hot metal making tools!!!

[@joetucker879]

HaHa! I am in the US and I spent my entire childhood wielding this awesome tool. I still use it at 56. Proper name is a Kaiser Blade. Common slang names are Joe Blade (because any Joe can use it!) and Ditch Blade. The inside curve is what you want to utilize when swinging on limbs in the air and be careful because it is deadly. The outside curve is used at the ground level to sever roots in order to remove saplings and small trees so the do not come back. I have cleared many acres of woods and reclaimed overgrown pastures in my lifetime so I am not guessing about this! LoL. It was fun to watch the pour but I would have to try an aluminum Handle before I switched from a good Hickory one! Nice video!👍

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very effective Sling Blade Aka Brush Axe what a awesome video John @FarmCraft101

[@stevebulach5198]

Great job & very interesting on the casting side of things, it will never rot or split! I keep a similar knife with me on the tractor & for walks for the same purpose. They call it a cane knife here in Australia. Very handy tool!!

[@rayclark8920]

Oh, my I think the mini excavator down that path pull them Russian olives up by the roots taking them branches off would be far more efficient than what you just went through. Great video. Thanks for making.😊

[@ericwanner7966]

I have a brush axe. I bought one because my uncle had one when I was a kid and I thought it was pretty cool. Ordered it from a forestry supply catalog several years ago. It's in good shape. Still use it occasionally. I'm guessing not all farmers have the resources and know-how that you seem to have but probably more do than I would expect. I'm just a guy with a wooded lot, a small tractor, an ATV, assorted tools and chainsaws, and a little bit of knowledge and can-do spirit. So, what do I know? Not enough, I'll tell you that much. I guess that's why I watch this sort of content.

[@SneakyFishy]

Cool project. I see the casting experience gained with previous large casts is paying off! At first I thought you were going to put a plate of steel down the middle of the wooden handle, to strengthen it in the direction that matters most. Regarding galvanic corrosion, I'm curious if the Al will prevent the steel from rusting. and regarding "whats the worst that could happen" I think the head coming off mid swing is what could happen, but staying out of the firing line of any axe tool is just generally a good idea, so its probably not worse than rotting wood. I guess if anything happens to the new handle, you could use the pattern as a handle as well..

[@PickinwithPickle]

Wow! this is the coolest handle ever! Great job. Would love to get into forging at some point! Also, what brand is your lathe?

[@MRrwmac]

John, Yea the sling blade grunt was perfect. Oh, and nice work on the forges and forging!!

[@maker_jds7672]

Now I want one. I tend to avoid hand work but it has a little evil in it's appearance. It needs black and yellow tape on the grip with a big Bee stenciled on the blade.

[@bobhenry6159]

Once again, nice work. You should consider doing one of these hand tool restores while dressed up like Charlie Chaplin and do a 'silent' video with bad timing sound effects added in later.

[@johnnybgoode6466]

Hi John, great video of your abundant skills, we call these tools slashers here in New Zealand - slightly different blade angle but essentially for the same job / purpose.

[@tuju-]

It’s called Vesuri in Finnish.

[@wxfield]

I make at least 100 handles and gun stocks a year, and can tell you a spoke shave is the tool of choice here..not a rasp. Dave's Shaves makes probably the best shaves I've ever seen if interested.

[@user-sq5zg3ys5k]

I don't know when I first came across your videos but have enjoyed all of them.

[@_aullik]

How heavy is the final cast? Wouldn't you normally have a hollow alluminium handle?

[@odiesclips7621]

Brush ax. For the man who has everything, including a lot of energy.

[@erikcourtney1834]

It’s a shame how much time and effort go into making these videos. I could watch John everyday. You can only watch a video so many times 🤣

[@Colorado-Tinkering]

Sports betting as your sponsor? 🤔😔 PLEASE reconsider this choice. Those gambling sites may be legal but they hurt families and are generally a really bad thing for all but the people running them. Thank you.

[@Steve_Just_Steve]

This isn't a children's channel. Why are you watching ads anyway? Use SponsorBlock.

[@Colorado-Tinkering]

@@Steve_Just_Steve how do I block his sponsor talk?

[@Steve_Just_Steve]

@@Colorado-Tinkering Use SponsorBlock

[@lifeonmttammanyridge2565]

Man that casting project you did brought me right back to high school boy I miss those days shop class was the best.

[@Wiscotac]

Great vid! We learn, never take a machete to a brush axe fight. Also, on the golf course, a determined player might substitute a brush axe for a 9-iron, nobody is going to argue. Post-game at the clubhouse for some grub, refreshments, and comparing scorecards nobody can split open a bag of marshmallows faster than the guy with a sharp brush axe.

[@deadmeatpuppet666]

Nice refurb of a brush axe. As a land surveyor I have used them for over 30 years. We call them Jo Blades , or Bank Blades. Just the term used in my profession. Nice use of the AL cans.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Ein sehr schönes Video. Mit viel Aufwand und Können ein Werkzeug wieder zum Leben erweckt. Sehr gut. PS jetzt aber mal ernsthaft ein Stiel aus Holz hätte es auch getan. 😉😉

[@csehszlovakze]

I recently saw someone making an electric guitar out of melted aluminium! it sounded good, too!

[@pizzalord3n]

Man, during woodworking class we all feared the bandsaw, and I still do. Teacher had like 4 out of 10 fingers left.

[@denisethompson3819]

Yes , I do enjoy watching you work. Working out the different matters and possible problems. Measure twice, cut once. I learnt do it well the first time and we'll all be home on time for tea. As a woman I hate to see things incorrectly used, never put away properly and not in correct place. Time doesn't run smoothly if someone else's tardiness gets in the way. Thanks for some interesting tip reminders. My next job is rescuing a large pair of rusty scissors/shears. They are good to have in shed. Their age is about 85. Stay safe and thanks for your information input. ACT, Australia

[@zfolwick]

I have one like that that I bought off of amazon. It's cleared at least 3,000 square feet of blackberries. I would use it as you are to get the limbs down, then I'd use it like a scythe, but with much more power- a bit like a slap-shot with a hockey puck.

[@2tana22]

Cool video, your right! Lots of work, thanks for the effort in Showing us the process

[@mike2690]

Enjoyed the video. I'm a land surveyor and sometimes use a bush axe all day long, Once I replaced a broken handle with one that wasn't sanded and very rough. I thought the same thing - rough texture better grip. Within 30 minutes that day may hands were reduced to raw meat. If you plan on any serious work with that tool, better sand it down.

[@donstelfox6921]

Looks great, must be a good feeling to have the ability to have done that. Also, you're set for a zombie apocalypse, should one arise, lol. Cheers 🙂

[@djmips]

Hello, I am your host. The FarmCrafsMan. Just because you're doing something different, don't mean you're doing it wrong, just means you're doing it your way.

[@KallePihlajasaari]

There is a plus point to using aluminium for the handle. The blade will be offered cathodic protection from rust if the aluminium is in contact with the same moist surfaces.

[@alandjbaker]

Was watching Clarkson’s Farm when I got the notification this episode just aired, got to make time for FarmCraft101!

[@Rickbearcat]

Looks like you had some pretty days out while you were melting and having some fun with the wife. Pretty cool project.

[@hrg5010]

Nice work. "Down Under" it's called a slasher or scrub cutter. Handy tool which is very effective when I use mine.

[@carmium]

Your Sling Blade intro was excellent! 😄

[@CobetcknnKolowski]

Huh, that backwards on the band saw as a sander was a neat trick! Love me some *Forbidden Muffins* . Dang, that Billhook axe came out pretty nice!

[@lawrencepevitts2434]

In the upper midwest, that is what they call a corn knife. Before corn pickers, the used to cut the corn stalks by hand with the corn knife, and stack the corn stalks in vertical piles known as shocks for drying.

[@lawrencepevitts2434]

I've always heard of them as corn knives. Before combines, they used to cut the corn stalks by hand and pile them up in vertical piles to dry in the field.

[@paulnewman2115]

In Ireland we call it a hedge-knife and we have a thing like a sickle with a long handle we call a slash-hook, both are great tools

[@markbement2508]

I'm impressed that you still get the comics in color!!

[@Sa1985Mr]

"Ah John needed a relaxed project after all these epic projects recently.. this will be pleasant half an hour, maybe see the saw mill again.. watch..." Then the realisation "John is smelting 6 kilos of aluminium".. I believe the youth say "mad lad". Great as ever

[@drewwagner7985]

Great video as always. Not sure if you left the bandsaw top guide high for video purposes, but lowering that closer to the work will yield less blade deflection. Not super critical here but when you are doing other pieces, it will help. Cheers!

[@rationalist47]

What a great idea. This is one of those things that when you see it it seems so obvious you wonder why you never thought of it.

[@bobkonigsberg6907]

I'm glad to see you enjoying some free time.

[@user-zq6pj5jo8j]

Man you swinging that thing on those little trees, makes me think or a new Serial Killer Movie franchise..Brutal..:)

[@nelsongraves9599]

I really enjoyed watching the process, you are a very versatile craftsman. However, I too am somewhat skeptical of the comfort of that aluminum handle. Probably fine for a little trail clearing. Beyond that, god bless the inventor of the powered brush saw! Thanks for sharing.

[@Deck1ngUK]

Called a ‘Billhook’ here in UK. Many Counties have their own design and real old timers will tell you exactly where it comes from purely by the design.

[@alexparadi522]

I've seen others use double-sided tape where you used hot glue. Seemed to come apart a little easier. Thanks for the vid!

[@richardbinell2053]

My grandfather had one, I remember. Shorter handle. Probably from the old country-Austria. In his dialect, it was called a coltelach. Certainly a derivation of the Latin word cultro, or the Italian coltello, mixed with the Germanic word for axe-axt. He fought for the Kaiser Wilhelm II in World War I (for the German-Austro-Hungarian Empire) on the Russian front, where they defeated the Russians but ultimately lost the war. He emigrated to Boston, where he began a successful knife sharpening business, and probably where he obtained the kaiser blade. I wonder whatever happened to it.. Ah well. Thanks for reminding me of something I'd thought I'd forgotten long ago. Fine, painstaking work. And thank you for sharing your passions.