forging a viking style axe.

This is how I made the axes, all scrap steel given another use. / lharropknives

[@andrewg9987]

Beautiful work! Thanks for taking the time to video this.

[@LozHarrop]

+Andrew G No problem glad you enjoyed the process.

[@rcwarship]

They're real beauties, pieces of art. Thanks for sharing, Jon

[@pooperdrop]

Absolutely fantasic. I love the layering of different steel!

[@LozHarrop]

+pooperdrop Thankyou.

[@JorgeOrman]

Thank you Sir . I'm making my first steps in forging axes and it was very very educational for me. Thanks again.

[@stevesyncox9893]

Great stuff man! Beauty little axe. Campfire handy or carving. Always inspiring good Sir. Thank You!

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks for watching steve !

[@mattissarcastic3403]

That's some beautiful work, mate. Keep 'em coming!

[@LozHarrop]

+Kcin tnoM Cheers Bud.

[@scottmccarroll2618]

I'm always impressed with your final product and these axes are really good looking thanks for sharing

[@NimaKDavani]

Excellent work, very smart way of making a quality axe, well done mate!

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks mate, glad you like.

[@michaelmarrett6423]

Nice work! Was hoping to see you do an acid etch on the blade. That would really show off those layers.

[@nobilismaximus]

When you started I thought that's not how to do it! Then, I watched it through. I was wrong, you made a great looking axe and put this know nothing in his place. Great video.

[@ianfoster9333]

Love the way you made these axes. I want one now

[@LozHarrop]

Ian Foster thanks Ian.

[@dirtygorilla5508]

The nicest axe head construction I have seen. Makes me wanna give it a go. I think I have some of the same kind of steels around, but I am very green on forging still. Thank you for sharing.

[@LozHarrop]

+Jeff Deriso Thanks Jeff, Give it a go mate, i just did a video on forge welding steel should help you out in making an axe head. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKrPfqVsfaqBorM Cheers.

[@dirtygorilla5508]

I watched that one right after the first one and it is very informative. I hope to get one done, and show it off.

[@makooma]

I am blown away man, good work.

[@LozHarrop]

makooma Cheers mate.

[@MartinTraXAA]

While not viking, it is certainly cool. Nice project!

[@LozHarrop]

Cheers.

[@mi5veezee]

Totally awesome...

[@Andy-Gibb]

Awesome work mate from the colonies, Townsville Australia

[@LozHarrop]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kbbacon]

Very nicely done!

[@LozHarrop]

kbbacon Thanks Kevin.

[@19Dad84bod]

Dude what a great job! I wish I had talent like you and some of these other guys I watch. ... I'll just leave it to the experts and I'll just sit back and enjoy watching you forge a piece of metal into something brilliant

[@LozHarrop]

+Fearless Talas Hey thanks for the comment, stick around I have plenty of things in the pipeline..cheers.

[@johnowens132]

Great work thanks

[@Seraphic85]

You sir, have yourself another subscriber. Awesome work!

[@LozHarrop]

+Ricardo M Thanks for the sub Ricardo glad you enjoy the vids.

[@777fuzzypeach]

I like your anvil and hammer! Really excellent work!

[@daki222000]

That was a mysterious forge weld! it looked way to cold, and yet came out perfect!? Please show that again one time! cheers.

[@LozHarrop]

+Flip de boer My forge area has a clear plastic roof and wall which lets plenty of sunlight in, the sunlight makes the steel colour look cooler than it actually is. cheers.

[@ShaDOWDoG667]

+ppotty1 Which is the same reason that low number Springfield M1903 rifles are considered dangerous to fire.

[@MrBucidart]

First class all the way, she's a beauty .... job well done!

[@LozHarrop]

Joe Bucci thanks Joe.

[@thornwarbler]

terrific work thanks putting it up

[@LozHarrop]

thornwarbler cheers mate.

[@13bravoredleg18]

Great work!!!!

[@LozHarrop]

Philip Lobrano thanks Philip

[@inkedskindeep9941]

that turned out really good!! keep the videos coming

[@LozHarrop]

+Damen Kemper Cheers Damen.

[@MrKardukas]

Lovely axe! Share more of your great work

[@LozHarrop]

MrKardukas Thanks I will.

[@darkyounglink101]

Nice work. A tip for axes down the road is using a differential hardening, by quenching just the blade, and holding it for a few seconds before doing a fast quench on the rest of the axe. it hardens the blade to hold an edge, but leaves the body and the eye soft enough to soak up the blow from cutting.

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks for that, The main reason I do a full quench is to check the strength of the welds, if they are going to fail or are not quite right the quench will find faults, so far everything has been good so maybe i can now be confident enough to just quench the edge. Cheers.

[@stevesyncox9893]

@@LozHarrop you sir, should be in the Diplomatic corps..... incredible restraint.

[@TietLung]

Been wanting to forge an Axe and wasn't sure how I'd go about it. Everyone I saw always either split the back or punched a hole through it for the eye. It was kinda intimidating so I have made one yet. I like the method you used and will for sure try making one now. It's a beautiful Axe and you do great work. I will be sure to watch more of your videos.

[@LozHarrop]

TietLung Thank you Tiet, Over time there have been many different ways of making an axe, I like this method because I too did not like the idea of punching a hole through the steel to form the eye I think this gets the axe shape formed faster because I prefer stock removal to create a sanded finish rather than a forged hammered look. Cheers.

[@blakedennis588]

awesome looking axe as well. great work good sir

[@LozHarrop]

+Blake Dennis Thanks Blake.

[@marty01957]

Good Job! Beautiful Work!

[@LozHarrop]

+Martin Elam Thanks mate.

[@mountnman100]

Great work! Love all your vids. Keep up the good work.

[@LozHarrop]

mountnman100 cheers mate.

[@FUGYOO]

Good job. Hard core

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks

[@billynightmare]

Amazing work, your very skilled.

[@LozHarrop]

billynightmare Cheers billy

[@mikerogers5666]

Hello Mate, Damn good video, and even better looking axe! Well done!

[@LozHarrop]

+Mike Rogers Cheers Mike glad you enjoyed it.

[@RickRabjohn]

terrific video and thanks

[@LozHarrop]

Rick Rabjohn Cheers Rick

[@robviolin1]

Good job.

[@LozHarrop]

+robviolin1 Cheers.

[@cjrayscorpian91]

Such a beautiful looking axe blade if I may say so my friend! Looked like you had fun with this axe blade. I think you did a wonderful job ppotty1! I enjoy watching your videos so please keep up the good work you are awesome!

[@LozHarrop]

cjrayscorpian91 Glad you enjoyed it, I made this one as a last axe as I want to try some engraving on it and maybe some copper inlay work too. Cheers.

[@cjrayscorpian91]

That would be cool! I hope you film it.

[@ConchoPearl]

I would love to get hold of one of those :)

[@LozHarrop]

DL Spamalot Hey ask father christmas ;-)

[@MrKirby2367]

Good work

[@LozHarrop]

Bloodaxetheirritable cheers

[@warrenbuitendag5286]

Nice anvil, looks almost new!

[@LozHarrop]

+Warren Buitendag Yes warren it was a good find it had hardly been used.

[@wevikings1790]

nice job man a good made axe

[@LozHarrop]

CodeRex Cheers Mate.

[@jordanmahara7513]

Was hoping to see the forge welding, do you start your weld at the edge or the socket?

[@paulgregory1896]

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen on KZbin. I stumbled across this by complete accident and was mesmerized. Do you sell these?

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks Paul yes i do i make them to order though now.

[@daveadams7763]

Really nice job there, its good to see a fellow Brit managing without a £2K to £5K power hammer. Do you but borax on-line? Great Video

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks Dave, yes bought a bug tub some years ago off ebay.

[@evandaloamaral6434]

You Very good

[@patreganauthor]

Nice one mate...

[@LozHarrop]

Thanks again Pat

[@patreganauthor]

Great videos - really enjoyed them too.

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Nice !!

[@LozHarrop]

+keifer225948 glad you like'

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

***** someday maybe i will try to make one

[@LozHarrop]

Have a go mate just get the steel hot enough to stick together and away you go.

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

***** did you use flux??

[@SantoMuerte187]

A very nice axe you made there, Can you make a mammom axe? I would love to see a video on that

[@LozHarrop]

Armando Mota Yes I dont see why not It might be an interesting project sometime..Cheers.

[@n00bman100]

Looks nice, the only complaint I have is the square-like shape of the eye as i like the eye of my axes to be shaped like a waterdrop or oval. :)

[@LozHarrop]

+Adam Lundmark Thanks Adam, difficult to achieve that shape when just bending steel like this, but it was an actual method used by smiths back in the day along with others that form the teardrop shape to the eye. These axe heads are a bit crude but very functional and strong I was just looking for a more simple and easy method to forge together an axe, I might get around to doing it the hard way one day by beating out the eye through a solid piece of steel, i will need to make a few tools first though. Cheers.

[@n00bman100]

***** You are for sure a much better blacksmith than me, I've only been doing blacksmithing for about 6 months and the only axe I've made was from a old hammer so the eye only needed to be made a bit wider. And most of the things make is also a bit "crude" as I'm only a novice blacksmith and I don't even polish most of my things as I like the a bit more rough, black finish you get after forging it. :)

[@MrRayqwik]

When you were layering the metal and about to forge weld them I thought they were going to be shit. I was way wrong they looked great.

[@LozHarrop]

MrRayqwik Cheers, I since put this in a weak solution to etch for 24 hours and it came out really nice showing all the different steels.

[@joarflesja1516]

very nice, looks like a good size for many uses. my i ask way did you put the saw blad in? Some say that the leafspring cant be forgeweld but i cant see you got proplems whit it. thanks for shearing this good video.

[@LozHarrop]

+Joar Flesjå Hi Joar, and thanks. I put the sawblade in to make the axe thicker at the top, have had no real problems welding leaf spring so far.

[@OrionsAnvil]

Great video!@1:10 what was that about a size 10 "vise" ;) Thought it was funny, I've done that too. Seriously though great looking axes, nice setup you have too. Thanks for posting.

[@LozHarrop]

OrionsAnvil hi orions, yea bang on mate size 10 soft grip vise ;-) Id like a bigger set up with more gear but at the moment space wont allow, thanks for the comment. Cheers.

[@jameslamb4573]

Once again, I wish I had your patience. Nice work! Have you considered etching an axe head to emphasise the pattern?

[@LozHarrop]

James Lamb Hi James i did try a little etching but the spring steel was not really effected, so i plan on some engraving....cheers.

[@rjp985]

ppotty1,why not give a circular saw blade that cuts metal a try.They cut really well not to mention saves on grinder wheels.I have one on my chopsaw that goes through steel like a hot knife through warm butter.Love your videos also.

[@LozHarrop]

+richardpinell Ive recently bought a plasma cutter richard going to give that a try when i get time. Cheers.

[@rjp985]

+ppotty1 That's a piece of equipment that'll make your pockets a bit lighter.Good deal,I just wanted to pass on some information you might not have realized was out there regarding the latest metal cutting blades.I pick up my saw first now instead of the gas torch lately.Where it really shines is on the chopsaw,no grinding and perfect cuts.It sure speeds the welding process and time.PeaceOut

[@crackawooody]

good sruff

[@LozHarrop]

crackawooody cheers

[@s0thrnc0mfrt26]

nice build.. that sure is a pretty anvil!.. one suggestion.. get a heavier hammer..

[@LozHarrop]

+David Gardner Hi David, got a 4 lb'er now mate much easier for the heavy work, Cheers.

[@shortbuspimp]

Could this be made with a flat slight/short hammer back?

[@LozHarrop]

Yes it could be would need the hammer section forging on before its wrapped.

[@billyicon13]

I have that same vise, (the foot vice)

[@larrypalacios4533]

Beautiful work, did you use borax? Didn't see it, I'm going to try that soon. Beautiful work. 👍💪👏🎯

[@LozHarrop]

+Larry Palacios Thanks and Yes Larry i did use borax in the early welding stages sticking it all together. Cheers.

[@dylanlewis9349]

If you leave the axe in vinegar over night, the patern will show up a bit better

[@LozHarrop]

Dylan Lewis Hi Dylan I will try that out cheers.

[@dylanlewis9349]

***** actually, after seeing the Damascus knife, just stick the heads in the jar of ferric

[@c0nnys1]

Nice job you done their ! Where did you get your anvil from ?

[@LozHarrop]

c0nnys1 Hi and thanks, I bought the anvil from a guy who sells on ebay lives in Rossendale he usually has a few for sale along with leg vices and ex army files and tools.

[@varun009]

I thought 5160 was hard to forge weld. Could that leaf have been 1090?

[@thejackofalldans786]

+varun009 it's mostly hard to weld to itself, if there is another steel then it can weld to that steel

[@varun009]

Dan Luevano Ah, I see.

[@TheDrunkenGuineaPig]

Where's the link? Great video, thanks mate :)

[@LozHarrop]

TheDrunkenGuineaPig Thanks the link is here if you missed it bud.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpbNfoN9mcaIpbs

[@MrPrimax0]

Thats one very good looking axe ! How much time did you temper it and on what tempetature ? :)

[@LozHarrop]

Boncho Mangala Thanks, I tempered at 200c for one hour then I put the blow torch on the thicker section until the colour ran slightly above straw, I had the cutting edge stood in an inch of water while I did this so as to not overheat it. The cutting edge turned out good not chippy but holds good sharpness. Cheers.

[@MrPrimax0]

***** Thanks for the fast and well explained answer friend . Greeting from a bulgarian knifemaker and good luck forging . :)

[@-Honeybee]

what kind of anvil is that? It looks quite clean and new

[@LozHarrop]

+Sitric Brave Its an English Brooks bought second hand but it was in great condition.

[@trevorlawrence4553]

awesome work mate, do you sell your axes

[@LozHarrop]

+trevor lawrence Thanks Trevor, yes I sold all the ones ive made and a couple I have not made yet.

[@TheMongo1357]

what type of steel did you use for the outside wrap of this hatchet head??

[@LozHarrop]

It was mild steel

[@Satelish]

good work!! you did not use borax?Okay to not use?

[@LozHarrop]

+Marcos Satel Hi Marcos, yes I did use borax when i was welding the steels together maybe just didnt show when i applied it. Cheers.

[@ThePizzaGoblin]

Question, Instead of tac welding the bits together, could you tie them together with some heavy gauge wire?

[@LozHarrop]

+DesertFoxCXVII Yes you could do it that way I know that method is still used, leave big enough spaces in the wire to hammer between so you dont forge weld the wire into the steel maybe not so important on something like this but with damascus pattern welding the wire would show up in the finished piece if it was welded in.

[@ThePizzaGoblin]

***** Sweet! thanks for the tip. Although I can Imagine if you arrange the wire in an artistic fashion, they can add to the existing pattern of the damascus billet. Especially if using nice wire.

[@LozHarrop]

+DesertFoxCXVII yea true mate.

[@joshuagador5578]

What is the liquid you dip the axe in after heating it up ? Is it just water ?

[@LozHarrop]

+joshua gador it is vegetable oil.

[@DYLANTRIES]

Looks a bit too long but not every axe should be the same so it is perfect and good choices of steel!

[@LozHarrop]

Dylan Hardin Thanks Dylan.

[@flamingzombie1]

Where did you get your anvil from? I'm from the UK and was wondering. Cheers

[@LozHarrop]

+tim Rayner Hi Tim, I got it from a guy over in Rosendale Robin Sharpels he's a collector and usually has a few for sale, this one was near mint condition, one of his videos here... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJKWfYKYd9GNh68

[@flamingzombie1]

+ppotty1 Thanks for the reply, I'll have a look soon!

[@jimmywalker8013]

how much to buy a ax

[@dionatanost]

what is the brand of your anvil ?

[@LozHarrop]

Dionatan Miguel Its a Brooks made in england.

[@wulfarrow2849]

is this harder to do without borax?

[@LozHarrop]

yes its more difficult some guys use diesel or wd40 but if the welding faces get alot of oxygen the steel will start to scale and then you wont get clean welds.

[@MarkHinchey1]

is that a wood floor in your shop? have you had any issues with fire or smoldering? I have a wood floor in my shop and wonder if I'm being really dumb by forging in there.

[@he-mansuncle7661]

That's what fire extinguishers are made for! :)

[@LozHarrop]

No all concrete Mark, but my forge is in the wood store if that makes you feel any better. lol I got a hosepipe nearby in case. ;-)

[@tsfcancerman]

you should make the tongs yourself since you got the equipment 4 it.

[@LozHarrop]

Hi Yes ive since made a couple of sets for different jobs.

[@antonioeustaquiolara]

Nice You can sold it?

[@LozHarrop]

+antonio lara Thanks... Yes sold all of them so far.

[@antonioeustaquiolara]

+ppotty1 goog, please how can i find it to sold out from youtube?

[@GunsWatchesCO]

What make is your anvil?

[@LozHarrop]

+Brent Foster Its a Brooks.

[@GunsWatchesCO]

+ppotty1 Thanks.

[@YabeValo]

how much does your hammer weigh?

[@LozHarrop]

+Jay Wai Ming The ball pane in the vid is 3 lbs.

[@bearforge2346]

i see you have a harbor freight anvil. how is it working for you?

[@LozHarrop]

Its a Brooks Anvil, made in England for many years.

[@cjm9860]

ppotty1 harbor freight has an anvil that looks alot like that. i had it its terrible.

[@tofanedward9049]

Ieah it's cheap but if you are on budget and want a good anvil you could buy a HF one and go to a smith/metal fab shop and forge a plate from rr track cut the hardie hole and weld that plate on your anvil. It might cost about 50$ but js the best anvil on that price!

[@123174scratch]

do you have a site where you sell your stuff?

[@LozHarrop]

+cuthborth Hi Sorry not as yet, i will have, just want to build up some stock first rather than have people waiting for things to be made. I will keep my channel here updated when the site goes up. Cheers.

[@123174scratch]

thanks

[@MrJozhik]

You spoiled metal. Very bad work!

[@LozHarrop]

+MrJozhik How did I spoil it?

[@damionlowther1474]

+ppotty1 I didn't see anything that would have spoiled it. Likely someone doesn't know as much about heat treatment as they think they do.