Alan Longmire Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Just to prove I do make things besides tomahawks, and to keep my Fiery Beard cred, here's the latest commission to be completed. The customer requested a full-on Viking langsax, but he wanted it machete-sized. It will be a working blade, used to clear campsites and chop kindling. On top of that, there was a tight budget involved, so no pattern-welding or fancy stuff, nor even a full polish. Just a bare-bones hardcore chopping tool to befit a Viking. The stats: Steel is 9260, guards and pommel are mild. Grip is oak core, linen-bound and leather wrapped, for which I thank Peter Johnsson for showing how to do. Overall length 24 inches, blade length 17.25 inches. Blade width 2" at hilt, thickness 3/16" at hilt tapering to 1/8" at the tip. Weight 2 lbs 1.75 ounce, POB 4" from cross, COP 12" from cross. This thing is a chopping beast, short and heavy and shaving sharp. I couldn't resist signing the lower guard in runes. Guard thickness is 1/2 inch at center, tapering eliptically to a blunt point on both ends. Upper guard is 5/16" at the center, likewise tapered to blunt points. The pommel is deceptive; it's huge but very thin. two-piece construction with the mostly solid pommel rivetted and brazed (stupid rivets wouldn't stay tight ) to the upper guard. In some of the pics the guard looks a little cockeyed, but I promise it's straight. It does take some practive to use without the upper guard putting a hole in your wrist. Held correctly the pommel just slips by the inside of the wrist like glass. Thanks for looking, and remember, I never said I was good at these! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petr Florianek Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Ha! baked in secret! good shape and strangely looks right shortened GULLINBURSTI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 I know! I thought it would look odd, but somehow it works. Maybe it's a proto-cutlass? Oh, and you remind me Petr, while I was working on this I got my Viking on and made some carved antler hairsticks for my wife. First time carving antler for me, and all with chisels, not cheating with a power tool like you do. Just kidding, I tried a Dremel and made such a mess I went back to hand tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Green Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 It sure looks like it will do the job!!! Nice! Mark Mark Green I have a way? Is that better then a plan? (cptn. Mal) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Hernandez Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 I am sure it will do the job. Very utilitarian. Enjoy life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZebDeming Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 That'll stir up alot of conversation around the camp fire! That's probably the coolest chopper I've seen Zeb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Mulkey Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I like it! Those double fullers are what do it for me. Very nice. By The Red Embers - my blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Provos Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 That looks like a mighty chopper! When you say the pommel is thin, do you mean that it's hollow inside or that the pommel itself is not very thick? Niels. Niels Provos The Serpent in the Sword Videos - Sword Resource Search Listen to my Activ8te EDM music releases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 It reminds me of a blade wielded by a Viking Dwarf (if those existed). Very stout and fierce! Nice job, Alan! Love the double fuller. Yar! --Dave -----------------------------------------------"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelthttp://stephensforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ito Matsumoto Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Good job. http://itomatsu.ru/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Thanks, Guys! When you say the pommel is thin, do you mean that it's hollow inside or that the pommel itself is not very thick? Both, sort of. I was having a heck of a time holding on to it while grinding the profile, so it's drilled and tapped 3/8-16 up the center, and it's only a hair more than 3/8" thick at the center as well. I'll try to get a shot looking straight down on it later today, you'll see what I mean. I also had to chisel out a lot of relief around the drilled and tapped hole to get it to sit over the peined tang atop the upper guard. I left the tang relatively massive, as I don't want it to fail while chopping wood. I should also clarify the brazing part. There are two 1/8" brass pins brazed into the pommel. I ran those through holes in the upper guard and peined then, but there was still a little play in the pins no matter how much I hammered. Therefore, I filed 'em flush and brazed them in place with E-Z hard jewelers solder. They no longer move at all. The pommel itself is not brazed to the upper guard, just the pins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Powning Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Nice one Alan! Jake Powning Swords Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Thanks again, guys! Niels, here's a shot of the hilt looking down from the top. You can see the slightly bulbous shape of the pommel, plus how thin the guards are in that dimension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stéphane A. Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Oh yes very thin as you said. It looks like a mighty chopper. Good job on the handle I haven't tried this method yet. Peter made it look almost easy... I said "almost" Cool ! Stéph My link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Thomas Obach Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Like it ! very cool occasionally i bring a sword out in woods on a little walkabout... funny but i found the long swords to be a nuisance .. since the forest growth is kinda tight up here, turning around in the woods with a long sword was ....frustrating .. and thats with it in the case, i can imagine swinging it would be problematic - a shorter sword in this case was a good choice... G North Shore Forge & Ironworks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim austin Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Great piece Alan! I do have a thing for choppers. i guess they're somewhere between swords and axes. Historically Forged Axes & Tutorials Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Provos Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Niels, here's a shot of the hilt looking down from the top. You can see the slightly bulbous shape of the pommel, plus how thin the guards are in that dimension. That is pretty thin. Thanks for taking the extra picture. I would much rather hold it in my hands, but in lieu of that, more pictures make me happy! Niels. Niels Provos The Serpent in the Sword Videos - Sword Resource Search Listen to my Activ8te EDM music releases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutton Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Nice work, looks like a serious working blade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis mcadams Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Ahh, the non hawk... What a nice piece of work there Alan. I've been wondering what you're up to in the hinterlands. Will this little beast have a belt hanger? Great job. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Kaiser Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Looks great Alan I really like the wrap on the handle. I think the thin is good it will make it less cumbersome as a utility tool. Cool stuff man!!! Kip A man is no better than his word! Check out the web site @ www.thekaisercustomknives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn patterson Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Alan- When you say the budget was "tight",Just what does that mean? PM me if i faux pas'ed writing this here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 That just means the guy didn't have that much to spend on it, which is why it's not pattern-welded and the fit and finish isn't at a higher level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Helmes Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 This is awsome Alan! How did I miss this the first time it came up? http://www.jeffhelmes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Colwell Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 You should name it, "Gretir Joe's Seax". or Gretir Earl... you get the idea. Nice work, though. You did a good job of making what the fellow asked for. I bet it is a chopping fool. kc please visit my website http://www.professorsforge.com/ “Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” E. V. Debs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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