Low cost Viking style axe???

W

Wiz

Joined
Dec 8, 2002
Messages
11
Hi, all,

I'm attracted to the looks and shape of the Viking yxor. Not that I need one, I must have a dozen kent axes, a half dozen camp axes, and a bunch of long ones, including broadaxes. Still, both the bearded type and the double wing type look so good, I feel that if I had one, I'd come up with *something* to do with it.

Looking over the offerings on the web, I find that most are too expensive for my cheap tastes:-) However, I've seen s couple from Pakistan or India that are under $40 and look pretty good. Can anyone relate experiences with these budget offerings?

Cheers/Don Carron
 
When they get back up to speed at www.hbforge.com , they should be producing a nice hand-forged Viking or Medieval-style axe at a reasonable cost. Mine is a couple years old. It took a little sharpening when I first got it, and the steel is hardened to only a moderate level to withstand throwing, but I still like it a lot. Pretty authentic look and feel. Mine even chops relatively well.

Edited to say that I initially didn't notice that you are new to the Forums and wish to extend a warm welcome. Please come back often!
 
Dances,

thanks for the tip. That is a site I hadn't seen; I'll keep it in mind. The Viking axe is very pretty, longer, more graceful wings than most.

Cheers/Don
 
I would also highly recommend H&B Forge. I have 2 of their hawks, a Seneca and a spike hawk built on their Squaw design, they are a steal for the money and they can take some serious abuse.

Ryan
 
Whoooeeee, boys!!! you hawk fellows are a breed apart. Up until this very minute, I hadn't considered abusing an axe. However, if that is the required ceremony, maybe I could get into it, but I'd need some more information.

Is this something you ahve to confess? Like "Hey boss, we caught Pokey behind the shed abusing his hawk. Wanna string him up?"

Or is it just part of the workday, like "OK buckaroos, I've had enough of this slacking off. I want to see some hawk abuse going on today or there'll be hell ta pay in this outfit come nightfall."

Need to know which way to go here :-)

Cheers/Carron
 
No funny business! ;) The abuse that I was talking about consisted of using the hawk in it's normal role not some perverse manor like a fella named Pokey might consider. Seriously, I have used my H&B forge hawks to split small logs, chop up downed trees for firewood, and a lot of other chores. H&B forge hawks IMHO are much better than Cold Steel hawks and they are in the same price range. I have a Cold Steel Norse hawk and it's not even in the same league as my H&B hawks. The head of the Norse hawk is constantly coming loose from the handle and the Norse hawk does not throw as accurately as my H&B's. If you only want to spend around $50 for a hawk than H&B is the place to go IMHO.

Ryan
 
Ryan Sez:>>I have used my H&B forge hawks to split small logs, chop up downed trees for firewood, and a lot of other chores.>>

That is about the list of uses that I had in mind for a Viking yxor. I like the wing style, but really like the bearded type better, as it is a better "carving tool" and I do a bit of boatbuilding. I want to look around for a bearded style first, but if I can't find that sort at a decent price, I'll go for the double wing axe.

Cheers/Don
 
On the Ragweed Forge website, http://www.ragweedforge.com/ThrowingCatalog.html

Under Allen Foundry, there is a bearded axe in the right size range and the right price range; #A23L. ANyone have any experience with this brand?

There may be a 6150 carbon steel version of it, #AH-G, listed a bit further down. I have a query into Ragnar about that one.

Cheers/Don
 
I have heard from other forum members that Allan foundry makes nice hawks for the money but I have no personal experience with them. I just might have to give them a try, thanks for the link.

Ryan
 
Ragnar responded; the Viking belt axe is a smaller 6150 version of the double wing Viking Axe.

He has in plans two other viking axes, both bearded and both smaller than the 23L. One is of a similar shape and the other is more skeletal. This latter one will likely be available first. It seems that he said around 1 lb., but maybe I'm getting that by extension from some comment he made.

Anyway, fans of the Viking style should give him a shout at Ragweed Forge and tell him that you're panting with anticipation for these new products :-)

Cheers/Carron
decided to go ahead and buy the double wing belt axe and get the bearded version later.
 
Wiz,

Thanks for the info on the new Viking Axes at Ragweed Forge.

More good news: HB forge is back in operation. I got an email awhile back from Mary and she says that Will is mending and that their son is forging now! Give 'em an email...

-SB
 
Sharp,

thanks quite a lot for that URL. I like that axe. Stylistically, I'd prefer a slightly broader blade (not longer on the edge), but that will do just fine.

I am assuming that it is carbon steel and hardened for cutting rather than for throwing??? Know anything about the Albion product's quality?

On your custom H&B, what is the weight? Care to mention the cost of a custom?

Cheers/Don
 
It weighs about 2lbs I guess, and cost $70. Ok so $70 ain't exactly cheap, but for a custom handforged piece it IS.
 
Hop,

I contacted Albion Armourers about their Small Viking Skeggox, manufactured by International Steelcrafts in India. They were unable to provide any information about the steel composition nor any about the hardness.

Does anyone here have any wisdom? I'd like to at least know whether it is carbon or stainless (yes, I know, sigh!. Wish there were some other common terms to differentiate the steel types)??? Also, if these axes are commonly used for throwing, and if they never, or seldom, break in that use, then they'd likely be too soft to really hold an edge in woodworking.

TIA/Carron
 
International Steel Crafts does carbon steel stuff mostly. Usually 5160 spring steel. Albion has a good reputation.
My recommendation is, of course, go with something from H&B.
1)All of H&B's stuff is 1095 (What Ka-Bars are made out of)
2)It is made in America
3)It is guaranteed. Period.
 
HB forge does do special orders. Send them the pic and see if this is something thay can make.

-SB
 
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