Axe: Difference between revisions
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If a river rock is used, its grains have to be slowly removed to prevent it from damaging or splitting. Hit a small area of the rock at a time, using short and swift strokes to peck away the river rock carefully. The work might take several hours. | If a river rock is used, its grains have to be slowly removed to prevent it from damaging or splitting. Hit a small area of the rock at a time, using short and swift strokes to peck away the river rock carefully. The work might take several hours. | ||
Once the rock has been pecked down to an appropriate size, you will need to form the cutting edge of the axe head, sharpening it. The head should taper down toward the edge, and the edge should be a similar thickness to a metal axe, with a narrow edge. Hold the axe head vertically, resting on the wide side of the rock, and use the hammering rock to form a narrow end of the axe head by hitting it with small and short movements. Afterwards, polish and sharpen the axe head on a stone with water, since it helps that it stays sharp and durable. | |||
=== Attaching the head to the handle === | |||
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Pour a handful of water on the stone and start to rub the wide, flat side of the axe head against the stone. Use both hands to rub the stone back and forth, making sure to keep the polish rock wet with water. | |||
Polish down all sides of the axe head so it appears even and smooth on all sides. This could take a couple of hours so be patient and take your time. | Polish down all sides of the axe head so it appears even and smooth on all sides. This could take a couple of hours so be patient and take your time. | ||
You may also want to use a smaller rock to polish the cutting edge of the rock. Make sure the axe head is wet as you use the small rock along the cutting edge of the rock, rubbing until the cutting edge appears smooth and even. This will mean it is also sharp enough to chop through wood and other plant matter. | You may also want to use a smaller rock to polish the cutting edge of the rock. Make sure the axe head is wet as you use the small rock along the cutting edge of the rock, rubbing until the cutting edge appears smooth and even. This will mean it is also sharp enough to chop through wood and other plant matter. | ||
Part | Part | ||
3 | 3 | ||
Split the axe handle and insert the axe head. One method of attaching the axe head to the handle is to split the handle down the middle, forming a gap large enough to fit the axe head. You should try to create a split that is symmetrical and not leaning to one side. You can do this using a knife or using a sharp stone.[9] | Split the axe handle and insert the axe head. One method of attaching the axe head to the handle is to split the handle down the middle, forming a gap large enough to fit the axe head. You should try to create a split that is symmetrical and not leaning to one side. You can do this using a knife or using a sharp stone.[9] | ||
You may want to try to knock or hit away at the top of the handle slowly with the sharp stone, making sure the wood is soft and "green" so it does not break. | You may want to try to knock or hit away at the top of the handle slowly with the sharp stone, making sure the wood is soft and "green" so it does not break. | ||
Revision as of 15:01, 27 March 2022
An axe is a tool used to shape, split or cut wood, and as a weapon. The axe has many forms and specialised uses but generally consists of an axe head with a handle, or helve.
Materials needed
- Large rock with perpendicular edges. Alternatively, a river rock, round shaped and smooth to the touch
- Green wood, meaning that it that has been recently harvested and therefore has not had an opportunity to dry, or from a young or small tree. This will ensure the wood can be bent and shaped without breaking.
- Cord, made of bark or wet rawhide.
Crafting instructions
Shaping and sharpening the axe head
To craft the axe head, hit off a piece of the source rock for the head with a hammering rock that can be held comfortably in your hand and with an even rock face, striking the upper edge of the former with the latter. While hitting it, you should focus on striking off flakes and slabs of rock, using swift hits. You might want to wear safety eye and hand protection for safety to protect yourself from flying rock shards. The stone head should be around the size of your palm or a little larger, and it can take several hours until the source rock has the ideal size for the head.
If a river rock is used, its grains have to be slowly removed to prevent it from damaging or splitting. Hit a small area of the rock at a time, using short and swift strokes to peck away the river rock carefully. The work might take several hours.
Once the rock has been pecked down to an appropriate size, you will need to form the cutting edge of the axe head, sharpening it. The head should taper down toward the edge, and the edge should be a similar thickness to a metal axe, with a narrow edge. Hold the axe head vertically, resting on the wide side of the rock, and use the hammering rock to form a narrow end of the axe head by hitting it with small and short movements. Afterwards, polish and sharpen the axe head on a stone with water, since it helps that it stays sharp and durable.
Attaching the head to the handle
References
| This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Axe, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (view authors). | 
|
External links
- How to Make a Stone Axe - Wikihow
- Cómo hacer un hacha de piedra - Wikihow (in Spanish)
- Make a Hafted Stone Axe - 28 April 2012, Sensible Survival
- Stone-Age Tools: How to Make a Stone Axe, a Stone Knife and Spear Point - Knoji
- Making a stone axe without any tools is really impressive - Casey Chan, 22 June 2015, Gizmodo
- Primitive Technology: Stone Axe (celt) - Primitive Technology, 23 May 2015, YouTube