Carving an axe handle. Part 1.

This is few photos when I make a traditional axe handle. I use my old mobile phones camera, so photos is not very good.

I found a suitable shaped birch.

First I made rustic design with an axe.

It's very important that birch have curves naturally.

And then carving and carving...next I put glue at the ends and oil to the surface. So it is allowed to dry indoor...

Continued next issue.

Forging a traditional firesteel

This time I forging a firesteel with camera. It's very difficult to forge and photogaph at the same time...First I forge truly and then steel must heating again and stage the forging situation. Each operation I will do the same double heating.

Old file is very good material for firesteel. It's important that steel have enough carbon. The carbon content of a file is over 1%.

When steel is hot, it can be filed easily. I removed most patterns.

Then forging a tang.

Cutting.

Forging a little loop.

Design of the firesteel is ready, but it doesn't work yet...

Forging my stamp. I have designed new logo.

And then the most important thing: HARDENING. When steel is little more than 800 degrees, it is cooled quickly in water. Top of the firesteel is above the water.

Finally the whole firesteel cooled in oil. Not tempering!

Firesteel is ready and this is three different stones you can use with firesteel when making fire. Left is flint stone, which is the best and most hardest stone. In the middle is finnish quartz, which works well. Right is quartzite, which work also but it is more challenging than flint stone or quartz.

This is piece of chaga and tinder. Both works when making fire.

 My little daughter help me in photography.

I used for kindling dry leaves and grass this time.

Blowing....

and fire.


FOR SALE (when I do leather capsules which can be put on a belt):

-Few sets of firesteel with flint stone, piece of tinder and birchpark reel filled kindling.

-Price 60e+shipping, paypal is alright for me.

If you are interested, please mail: korteniemijuho@gmail.com

Next post you can see photos where I will make a traditional axe handle.