Jon Mac.Spoon Carving First Steps: THE WESTERMANN AXE.

THE WESTERMANN AXE.

I would like to introduce you to the Westermann Axe.

I have been working with blade smith and axe maker Nic Westermann on a super carving axe.

I wanted an axe that was accurate, comfortable when choked, and good at splitting fine work.

It needed a flat initial cutting edge with a rise toward the toe and a toe higher than the eye so it has more clearance to turn in the work.

The eye to blade distance has been kept as tight as possible for accuracy.

At the moment the head is mounted on an experimental haft.

The MacNic axe is made from a block of mild steel with a slit and drifted eye.

The blade is split and a thin bar of silver steel is inserted and welded blacksmith style.

The Silver steel is tempered so as not to chip or fold in harder timber.

The hardness of the insert is 58rc approx.

The cutting edge is flat ground (scandi) at or about 30 degrees.

With a raised poll to allow some batoning.
The all up weight is 2 lbs approx.

As you can see, there is plenty of room for your finger under the beard for those up close moments.

This MacNic axe head can be ordered direct from

Nic Westermann at a price of £100.00 GBP Approx.

I recently fitted my Westermann with a straight helve.

I'm loving it...

http://www.nicwestermann.co.uk/

2 comments:

Anonymous11 December 2012 at 01:03
That is a pretty cool axe. Do you know what he charges? I did not see the axe on his site.
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Jon Mac.

Folk Artist.

Photographer.

Jon has worked with his hands all his life. He has learnt many traditional working skills, from construction to carving beautiful wooden spoons and drinking vessels. He has spent much time on Dartmoor teaching outdoor pursuits, such as Ten Tors team training and working with private companies providing team building/survival resources. He is a retired member of Mountain Rescue and spent seven years on the active call out list with his local team.

( D.R.G.Ashburton).

He has spent many years exploring the Devon countryside perusing his other interest in photography, industrial archaeology and local history. He recently used his local knowledge and field craft skills to great advantage when acting as field assistant to researchers investigating bat habitats and behaviour here on Dartmoor.

Jon runs tailor made courses both here in Devon and occasionally in Scotland, for anyone interested in spoon carving and woodcraft skills. Using traditional hand tools, Axe, hook knife and knife, he teaches the techniques for the fast and safe removal of waste wood, shaping and designing. He also teaches how to attain a super sharp cutting edge with the use of Japanese water stones.These skills are key to making anything you wish out of wood.

He is also a knife designer and has had his designs fabricated by top blade smiths.

Jon believes passionately that the skills of both using and maintaining knife and axe blades are ones which need to be shared, in order that we do not loose these important techniques. Jon particularly enjoys sharing these skills with those who have little or no experience of using edge tools.

THE WESTERMANN AXE.

2 comments:

Carving a Dragon Kuksa.