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and you should see the beastly hunk of steel I've got standing in my garage for re-handling, forged by one smid in the dorp of Drenthe in the years when things were going less well for the nation on the world scene.Dutch axes in general are not the prettiest axes but strictly functional
But over time small blows still became a lot of impact. Although I cant say this theory is sound.
Most steels nowadays like 4130 of 4140 are steel in name only, not because of carbon content. Because that would make them fall in the mild steel category
When you want a good documentation on these axes and other tools the book from H. Janse, Van Asks tot Zwei, has got much in it and of course van der Sterre's book on Dutch planes.
The original handle as shown is a beauty, still your cherry is made above all respecting the wood you have on hand rather than reproducing what you had and may have wanted from material not suitable. It's a fools game to try and impose your will. We can see the value in a good handle, one that feels good in the hands, and gain some appreciation for the never ending search.
Do those markings on the blade represent 2 swords by any chance? If so so I might know the maker....
This is surely the conventional understanding of having a handle sweeping out like that. It's a possible reason in some situations where it gets done like that, the question being is it the most likely, I rather doubt it is a universal explanation for a sweeping handle, there are others as well.and my knuckles will be away from harm
This is surely the conventional understanding of having a handle sweeping out like that. It's a possible reason in some situations where it gets done like that, the question being is it the most likely, I rather doubt it is a universal explanation for a sweeping handle, there are others as well.
Having barked my knuckles a few times with non-offest handles I've become keen on using offset handles for hewing work. But I'm interested to hear what other advantages offset handles offer, Ernest.
One drawback to the offset handle is that the axe wants to twist in your hand. You have to continually apply force to counteract this. That's why I prefer offset handles to be less round, more elongated ovals or octagons.