An ax is a chopping tool consisting of a wooden handle, usually short, and a blade, which is located longitudinally or perpendicular to the shaft. The latter are called Tesla . They cut out grooves during the construction of huts and ships, princely mansions and churches, hollowed out troughs, boats, cut sculptures, toys and other wooden products.
The secret of the durability of products chopped with an ax is that the fibers of the wood are crushed under the blow of an ax and do not allow moisture to pass through. This does not happen when sawing, when the pores of the wood are left open for rot to enter.
Peculiarities
Not only in the taiga you need a high-quality ax. All lovers of regular and long hikes will love this attribute. This tool is needed not only for preparing kebabs. There is a list of things that cannot do without this attribute. Namely:
- cutting down trees;
- firewood preparation;
- processing of fallen logs;
- production of bags and self-catchers;
- building a hut;
- splitting a log along the grain.
Looking at this entire list, we can safely say that the work is mostly rough and requires strong and durable equipment. The taiga ax is mainly used:
- commercial hunters;
- huntsmen;
- foresters;
- tourists;
- geologists and any other person who is going to the taiga.
Work process
All work will take place in several stages. Since the Viking ax will be made from an old axe, the essence of the whole process will be the restoration and stylization of the instrument.
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- It is necessary to separate the panel from the handle.
- If there is rust, you need to clean it with a grinder and then remove the scale.
- The blade will have to be treated with a welding machine if it is cracked.
- Give the heel a suitable shape. You can draw the drawing yourself or use a round object that fits in size as a stencil. Trace the template onto the metal and process it with a grinder.
- Then process the resulting cut on a grinding machine.
Components
It is necessary to consider what basic elements the ax consists of:
- An ax handle is different from a carpenter's tool. The taiga ax is much longer. It makes it easy to swing and hit a tree. The optimal length of the ax is approximately 50 cm, and in some cases more. It should not be heavy, otherwise it is impossible to achieve success in the taiga.
- Head. This part is also different from a carpenter's tool. The head is missing the top of the blade. If you urgently need to turn an ordinary ax into a taiga one, you can adjust it yourself.
- Blade. For efficient operation, it is specially rounded. This blade is widely used in the taiga.
- Beard. This part fixes the ax handle and the head together.
- Butt. In the taiga, it happens that you need not only an ax, but also a hammer. This part will easily replace it. Convenient, no need to carry a hammer with you, this is especially preferred by tourists.
- Eye. This part allows you to put the head on the ax handle. To ensure the reliability of the entire structure, be sure to drive a wooden wedge or an ordinary thick nail into the eyelets. This will prevent the head from coming off.
- Fungus. This part is for safe use only. It secures your hands in a comfortable position and does not slip.
Below is a taiga ax. The drawing will show where and how each part is located.
Weight parameters
The possibility of its use in wood processing depends on how heavy the tool is. The minimum value is considered to be a mass of 0.9 kg. Lighter models are used only for a limited range of household and household purposes when finishing small workpieces, for example, for sharpening wedges.
For standard work with wood, you will need a tool of 0.9-1.7 kg. It will be effective both when cutting medium-thick firewood and when carrying out construction work. Heavier splitting axes weighing 2.2-2.5 kg are used for chopping large firewood. They have a longer ax handle.
Characteristics
The taiga ax is a tool that will help you with everything. There are conditions that must be met:
- lightness (frequency of use may affect fatigue);
- the handle must be ergonomic (an ax for every man should be like an individual suit - only in size);
- the main weight should be in the metal head.
For those who like to do things with their own hands, we suggest taking advantage of our next master class.
Useful tips and tricks
Please note that the ax handle should be made so that its cross-section has a characteristic oval shape. Only by observing this condition will you be able to successfully hold it without straining your hand too much. In this case, blows with an ax will be more accurate and easier. It is recommended to make wood blanks for creating an ax handle in late autumn. It is during this period that the movement of sap is reduced to a minimum (almost stops), which means that the tree becomes, as it were, dehydrated.
Many inexperienced craftsmen neglect drying wood to build an axe. As a result, this ends up with the handle changing in size, and the metal part with the butt on it holds very poorly. It is permissible to use undried material only in special situations, when the handle needs to be built urgently, and this spare part is made as a temporary one.
When making a brand new ax handle yourself, you need to draw up a detailed drawing/template of the future tool. If you have a very convenient old ax in your arsenal, then you can remove all parameters from it. This will make it much easier and more convenient. Do not rush to turn the cutting edge of the tool. First you need to make sure the metal is sufficiently hard. If it turns out to be too soft, then it will need to be additionally hardened under the influence of high temperatures.
It is very important to use a ready-made ax (both homemade and store-bought) correctly. Experienced craftsmen strongly do not recommend trying to cut various metal parts with such a device.
Even if you plan to cut wood, it is better to make sure that there are no solid particles inside that could harm the tool.
It is strongly recommended not to throw the finished tool onto hard surfaces, especially from a great height. It is not recommended to leave the ax in the open air. Precipitation or aggressive sunlight can negatively affect the quality of the wooden part. Keep this tool in a dark and dry place. Only under this condition will the ax serve you for many years.
If the ax handle fits into the eye too easily, this may indicate that during the work the master made a serious mistake somewhere (most likely in the calculations). An incorrectly prepared template often leads to this problem. In such a situation, even one more installed wedge will not change anything
This is why it is so important to take your time to do all the calculations and make the template correctly
Do not forget to process the wooden ax handle at the end of all work. Please note that processing of this part must be carried out in several approaches. Each new protective layer should be applied only after the previous one has been completely absorbed. This is the only way to reliably protect wood from rotting and destruction. Stock up on enough wood to make an axe. You don’t need to make just one piece - it’s better to build several pieces. This is necessary because during the work some of them may not work out and be rejected. There should always be at least one more blank in stock.
To make an ax handle, you cannot use a wooden block that has a large number of knots. Because of them, noticeable cracks may form on the material. Over time, the branches begin to dry out, and the entire material loses its strength. Making an ax handle yourself is not at all difficult. If you doubt your abilities, are afraid of making a mistake and translating natural material, then it is better to refuse experiments. Buy a ready-made model or contact an experienced craftsman who will make a good tool for you.
To learn how to make an ax handle with your own hands, see the following video.
Independent production
We suggest supplementing your camping kit with a tool such as a taiga axe. With our own hands we will make a real masterpiece from a carpenter’s tool blank. Before starting work, we will prepare everything you need. This includes:
- carpenter's ax head;
- wooden butt;
- Bulgarian;
- metal wedges.
We present a step-by-step lesson:
- Using a grinder you need to shape the ax. It should look like a taiga specimen. If there is rust, it must be removed. To do this we use a petal disk.
- If corrosion has damaged the metal from the inside, then soak the head in vinegar for a day. We clean off the remains with a brush.
- We are preparing the ax handle. In our case, we suggest taking beech. The tree is considered strong and hard.
- Fasten the head and butt together with epoxy resin. Additionally reinforced with a bandage, drive in beech wedges.
- Cut off all excess and be sure to sand it.
- Sharpen your axe.
Since the butt is primarily a tree that is susceptible to dampness, it is worth treating it. Impregnate with special oil in several layers. Additionally, the product will receive strength and water resistance.
You can also make your own protective case for the ax. It will protect you from unwanted injuries.
How to make a taiga ax
Unfortunately, not everyone can forge a new ax from steel. But if the desire to own a real taiga ax is great, and the prices in stores seem too high, you can try making it from ordinary carpentry tools.
Making the tool head
Before you start working with the metal head of a conventional axe, it should be inspected for corrosion. If it is available, then it is better to soak this part of the tool in a container with vinegar. This will take at least a day. Remaining substances are removed using a regular brush.
A semicircle is cut out on the inside of the metal head, this allows you to make the girth comfortable
The rest of the procedure proceeds as follows:
- The front protrusion of the metal part is cut off. This must be done flush with the butt. If there is a protrusion of 5-7 degrees left, then it’s okay, but ideally it’s better to remove it;
- Using a Bulgarian saw or an emery wheel, cut off the back of the blade, giving it a rounded shape;
- A semicircle is cut out on the inner or, one might say, lower part of the head. This will not only make the grip of the instrument comfortable, but also significantly reduce its initial weight;
- You can skip this step, but if you want to comply with all the conditions for the construction of a taiga ax, then it is better to comply with it. Both corners of the butt are cut off. This step increases the maneuverability of the gun;
Manual method
This method will require a lot of free time, since the matter is quite troublesome. If you approach it with special trepidation, then before sharpening you need to make a special template. To do this you need:
- find a piece of tin;
- choose the optimal and correct sharpening angle;
- make a cutout.
When the template is ready, move on to the main action:
- apply the template to the ax blade;
- see if there is a deviation angle;
- make marks using a marker;
- processing.
If you choose a manual sharpening method, it is better to do it with a medium-grained stone. The final touch can be done in the smallest way. The timber also has its own nuances:
- round shape is preferred;
- material – fine sandstone.
Professionals advise sharpening with the blade facing away from you. It is also noted that if amateurs get down to business, the blade becomes dull, and in some cases the “sharpeners” break.
Etching is the most important stage in hatchet making
For etching, it is best to use an inverter welding machine at a minimum current (30 A). As an electrolyte, a solution of water (3.5 l) and salt (700-750 g). Before starting work, it is better to check the intensity of etching on any piece of metal.
PHOTO: YouTube.com The electrolyte is ready, the welder is in place, you can start
Connecting elements to welding wires
First of all, a hatchet is attached to the positive cable, which is completely immersed in the electrolyte. But the negative contact needs some work. To increase the area immersed in the electrolyte, you can use a mounting plate for a metal profile. It should be curved so that the contacts are on both sides of the hatchet.
PHOTO: YouTube.com The mounting plate is perfect for etching
Etching procedure, inspection, protection of the welding machine
Having lowered the negative plate into the electrolyte, you need to make sure that both its sides are equidistant from the hatchet. Only after this can the welding machine be turned on. A violent reaction will begin almost instantly. It looks as if the electrolyte is boiling. In fact, this is not far from the truth; electrolysis does its job. Unpainted metal is etched away. No harm is caused to the painted surface; it remains untouched.
Etching is carried out in 5 passes. The welder turns off every 2 minutes to allow it to rest. It turns out that the total etching time is about 10 minutes. After this, the ax can be removed from the electrolyte.
PHOTO: YouTube.comThe electrolyte first boils and then turns dark
After the required time has passed, the hatchet can be removed from the container and the result can be assessed. If the etching depth seems shallow, you can continue. If everything is in order, then it’s time to remove the paint.
PHOTO: YouTube.comIf the etching depth is satisfactory, you can move on to the next stage
The final part of working with metal
The ax needs to be washed off the salt under running water and dried, then remove the paint from it. This can be done with fine sandpaper or acetone. Next, the entire surface must be polished. A felt circle mounted on an emery board or drill is perfect for this purpose. Only after polishing can you fully evaluate what the result of the work done is.
PHOTO: YouTube.com We can say that it turned out very well
Mechanical method
If you have a sharpening machine at hand, you can use it. To carry out the procedure, you will need the following:
- the device itself;
- ax with blade;
- sharpening stone with two working surfaces;
- finishing paste;
- marker;
- goniometer;
- personal protective equipment for eyes and hands.
The procedure is carried out as follows:
- The machine must be placed on a flat and hard surface.
- The working surface must be free of defects.
- If you need to update the sharpening at an existing angle, mark the desired area with a marker.
- Sharpen with the blade facing away from you.
- If the angle is suitable, fix the result using finishing paste. Lubricate the grinding wheel with it and polish the ax.
- Be sure to apply a product that protects against corrosion.
Metal hardening
This process consists of three stages, let’s look at each of them:
- Annealing. First, blunt the tip to 1 mm. To do this, the panel should be heated to a red-burgundy color (about 760°C), and cooled slowly. Removes scale from metal.
- Hardening. It is necessary to heat the metal to a temperature of 830°C. This can be done in any available way, in an oven or even over a fire. Next, you need to prepare two containers: a bucket with warm water and a metal container with oil. You only need to lower the ax blade up to 4 cm into the water for a few seconds. The ax is completely immersed in oil. In case of fire, you should have a thick cloth on hand to cover the container. Remember fire safety rules!
- Vacation. Necessary to reduce the brittleness of steel. The metal must first be cleaned to reveal the tarnish color. You can spend the holiday in a conventional oven at a temperature of 200-300°C for 60 minutes.
Tip: You can check the temperature of the metal by color or using a magnet. Metal stops being magnetic at temperatures above 768C.
Video: how to harden metal.
Purchase
If you like constant hiking or hunt, then you need equipment such as a taiga ax. The vacha is the most common model among this family of instruments. Use it to quickly and easily chop and process wood.
If you want to purchase a forged taiga ax, make sure that the kit includes a protective case. A distinctive feature of this brand of tools is the handle. It is made from strong varieties of birch. The wood is impregnated and processed.
We looked at how to make a taiga ax with your own hands. If you can’t make it yourself, you can always find the product in the store.
Compliance with safety regulations
- do not leave the ax on the ground so that the tool does not rust and the ax handle does not become damp;
- the head of the product should not dangle on the handle;
- when cutting logs, place wood underneath so as not to damage the blade on stone or metal;
- Make sure you have enough space to swing the ax freely.
Taiga ax
Work process
All work will take place in several stages. Since the Viking ax will be made from an old axe, the essence of the whole process will be the restoration and stylization of the instrument.
cloth
- It is necessary to separate the panel from the handle.
- If there is rust, you need to clean it with a grinder and then remove the scale.
- The blade will have to be treated with a welding machine if it is cracked.
- Give the heel a suitable shape. You can draw the drawing yourself or use a round object that fits in size as a stencil. Trace the template onto the metal and process it with a grinder.
- Then process the resulting cut on a grinding machine.
Final word
There is hardly a man who will not be happy with such a gift. But that's not even the main thing. If a home craftsman once makes such beauty with his own hands, then he will definitely be captivated by the activity, and he won’t be able to stop after that. And with the experience that comes, everything will turn out better and better. For example, you can master the technique of gilding (brass plating). After all, there is no limit to perfection. And if learning brings pleasure, then it will be doubly effective. And regarding such products, it’s not for nothing that experienced blacksmiths say that a beautiful knife or ax is music enclosed in steel...
The Homius editors invite home craftsmen and craftsmen to become co-authors of the “Stories” section. Useful first-person stories will be published on the pages of our online magazine.
Previous STORIES A “floating” heart as a gift to a loved one - original and insanely simple Next STORIES Sleight of hand and a couple of minutes of work: practical ideas for using packaging
Final word
There is hardly a man who will not be happy with such a gift. But that's not even the main thing. If a home craftsman once makes such beauty with his own hands, then he will definitely be captivated by the activity, and he won’t be able to stop after that. And with the experience that comes, everything will turn out better and better. For example, you can master the technique of gilding (brass plating). After all, there is no limit to perfection. And if learning brings pleasure, then it will be doubly effective. And regarding such products, it’s not for nothing that experienced blacksmiths say that a beautiful knife or ax is music enclosed in steel...
The Homius editors invite home craftsmen and craftsmen to become co-authors of the “Stories” section. Useful first-person stories will be published on the pages of our online magazine.
Previous STORIES A “floating” heart as a gift to a loved one - original and insanely simple Next STORIES Sleight of hand and a couple of minutes of work: practical ideas for using packaging
