Fire Ax

[scottg]

I just finished this for my local fire dept. Well I might do more work on it yet.
  We have basically nothing on the walls to be proud of, except some old awards and crap nobody looks at.



Its a big sumbitch


   yours Scott

[keykeeper]

Nice work, Scott. Would love to know how you went about making it. I like the way the head forms integral "straps" to secure the handle.

Is it based on a historical piece, or of your own design.

Being an ex-fireman, you have really piqued my curiousity.

[Mel Larsen]

Nice piece Scott,  have you any photos of it in the making?  I really like it.
Mel

[scottg]

Thanks Guys
No I didn't take any process pix. I started it about 3 years ago, or so.
I worked on it here and there, until the very end, when it got some hard work.

I always cut out straps from large pipe. Or rather pipe the right curve to fit the handles. 2" standard steel pipe fits a lot of them though.
  All of my splitting mauls and heavy sledge hammers get strapped.
It makes the handles last 10 times longer!   I think all large hammers should be strapped!
Anyway I made a master pattern for straps and what do you recon?  I have never used it!
Nearly every hammer wants a different shape and a different curve.

  The spike used to be a chisel from a pneumatic drill. The head was a Swedish ax head from the 60-70's.

The handle is Ipe wood.  One of the hardest heaviest woods in the world. The strap used to be a belt that I split and braided.  The braids don't come all the way to the end. You are basically braiding a solid piece with smooth ends.  Something I learned how to do when I was just a kid.
  yours Scott

[Nolatoolguy]

That is amazing, very well made. Looks like it would just fit great in the hand.

Great job :)

[fflintstone]

sweet!