Brass / Bronze / Copper Axe ?

[Truelove]

Another one of my screwy ideas: has anyone any experience or pics with an ax with a brass, bronze, or copper head with a steel bit? What are the downsides, besides the relative softness of the body? Could you just heat the "lips" of the brass to braze the bit on? Bladeforums, once again, put me in my place!

 

[Robert Dark]

If you are just wanting something for looks, it might work. I wouldn't want to go into the firewood business with that combination.

In my experience, (and I have had my fair share when it comes to brazing with bronze rods and flux on steel to steel and steel to some non-ferrous materials) brazing is pretty much a method of "Super-Gluing" materials. The strength of the joint is only as strong as the weakest component.

You might be enlightened by doing a Google search on the differences between welding and brazing.

Robert

 

[Storm Crow]

There are a number of historical tomahawks with either completely brass heads or brass with a steel bit. All of the ones with steel bits I've seen have been dovetailed in like this one:

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=6932.0