- Joined
- Dec 13, 2015
- Messages
- 537
Is there a benefit to Delta 3V in an axe head? Does an axe head benefit from an abrasion resistant high hardness steel?
I would say yes but I think it would depend on geographic location.
For daily blazing and chopping I use an Iltis OxHead which is pretty thin and definitely a harder steel than normal (this is true for older Plumb axes which are my favourite).
This being said I am in the north which is predominately softwood forest vs. the hardwoods out east.
I would say the best bet would be make a softwood and a hardwood version with different steel-property objectives. This is all depending on whether you are making the heads and going with a wood handle (the only way to go for a large axe) or a full tang.
Full tang I have had great luck using a Wenger Beohawk in 80CrV2 @ 59rc. Not sure if this is the best steel option or not but it has a great forward can’t and a convex profile on the blade which I think is essential for non-binding while chopping.
Nathan the Machinist dude if you are making a go at this I need to start saving because I literally chop with an axe at least 150-200 times a day if not more and an optimized steel axe would be perfect.