The subject came up about a CPK axe. Honestly, it sounds like fun.
Would some of you guys educate me on the subject matter and perhaps point me in the right direction? What makes a good axe? What makes a bad axe? What kind or kinds should I make?
I dont really think that you will make big axe like Tuatahi Work Axe or their Camp Axe.
Because piece of 3V steel in those dimensions would be crazy hard to get and expensive, also milling it would be problematic (but not a challange for you). +making only Axe head and then fitting wooden handles wouldnt suit your style. Thats why I think when you talk about Axe you consider, hatchet, not big damn felling axe right?
So when it comes to hatchet and CPK, I think it wont be axe head either, you will make whole axe from one piece of D3V and fit scales (something what RMJ does and other people out there)
I wanted to write all this but was lazy and tired, so copied my friends text about small hatchet and edited it just a little bit:
The basic brief would be:
A light, accurate tool with the emphasis on balance rather than heavy chopping power.
Uses: cutting dead wood (ie manuka, pine etc) for making fires.
Splitting small wood for fire making.
Felling small live trees less than about 6" diameter
Cutting saplings for trail clearing, campsite clearing, limbing branches from larger dead trees for firewood, making stakes to be used in shelter building.
This axe would be of interest to people who take a day pack for hunting, fishing or tramping, but the weather closes in and it's necessary to quickly make camp. It's light and handy enough to carry in a day pack, and means a large knife does not need to be carried also.
In this "survival" scenario it is used to cut small trees and branches to make shelter, split firewood etc. With the bearded shape you can hold it behind the head and use it like a big knife to cut rope or large flax etc for shelter building.
Skinning and game processing:
For small game it can be used to cut off rabbits' feet and head before skinning etc.
Could also be used for helping to skin larger game like deer and goats, breaking bones, cartilage, sinews etc, and those heavier jobs normally done with a large knife.
Axe head:
The head has a bearded shape, deep notched to allow the axe to be held right behind the head and used for smaller tasks such as whittling points on stakes, small carving jobs, stripping bark off stakes etc.
Cutting edge approx 5"
This axe can double up and take over some of the duties of a large knife when held right behind the head.
The poll is squared off for small hammering duties, like knocking in tent pegs or small stakes for shelter building.
handle length 14", as a hatchet, for people who really want to keep it light and portable. (I would also suggest offering this same axe head witg a longer (19") handle (mainly for single handed use, but long enough for two handed use occasionally for felling a larger tree or cutting firewood) This length allows it to be put into a day pack, or strapped to the outside. Light enough to carry tramping, hunting, fishing etc.
Handle has a prominent end knob for good grip.
Handle just below head has enough thickness to provide strength against twisting (ie when splitting tough wood you can twist and wiggle the head and it won't snap)
But not so thick you can't wrap your hand around it, for using when doing finer work holding the axe right behind the head.
Some subtle knurling just behind the head to improve grip when hands are wet and slippery.
Handle is fairly straight (or with little curvature) for more accurate cutting.
Instead of using my amazing drawing skills (jokes, I suck at it) I found style of head which I was thinking about, done by RMJ, attaching picture for showing style.
That axe head has almost everything Ive mentioned up in description. Just its butt (poll) should be flat and squared off for hammering (thickness of steel should be around .285" or bit more and with that thickness it wont be hard to hammer). and one more thing I would change in its design, on top, where usually is axe "eye" it has some weird bump (maybe for resting your thumb when holding the axe right behid the head?)
Love those wings ground out on it, gives amazing look (Tuatahi axe vibes).
Well thats all I can suggest about CPK Axe (max I can do is to make some small sketches of axe head and also whole axe (with handle as it would be one solid piece of D3V) but as Im not really good at drawing I would leave it up for Lorien to do + he has done some axes(hatches) before if I remember right. and of course CPK crew would do it perfectly without my sketches lol
, and from my side best I can do is to provied some information, hope I succedded at it).
Sorry it came out long post but wanted to fully write my thoughts about it and hope it helps at some point.
Looking forward to see CPK Axe prototype and handle one in (hopefully) near future
❤
(swords are cool & fun and all...if I run out of bullets
)
Lol
