Making a Viking Battle Axe: No Forge Needed

Follow this link to vote for your favorite Viking build/video...
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YouTube Knife Maker Challenge: The Viking Edition

Today in the shop I found an older cracked axe head that has been lying around in my shop, just waiting for the perfect project to see its full potential. I made some sketches to come up with a new head shape, based on Viking bearded axes, and started by cutting away much of the head, including the crack. After refining the shape on the grinder, I used my LaserPecker 3 to etch a quad spiral design on the cheeks of the head, and Viking and AOC runes on both faces of the blade. I finished the head with some file work to define the etching and add texture. I used oak to make a custom straight handle, that just slightly swept back, and then hung the head with a cherry wedge for contrast. I finished the handle with leather wrappings, an acrylic brown dye to darken the wood, and AOC and Viking runes painted as final details.

Like usual we couldn't complete a good challenge project without a fun cinematic, which you saw in the beginning. My daughter, the Shop Elf, acted the role of the villager, and I was the raiding Viking popping out of the water to attack. Thanks to our father for coming out and running camera 2 along side Devon for the shoot.

Thanks also to the sponsors of the Viking challenge, who made it possible for us to offer up some exciting prizes for the winners of the "Viewers Challenge"
Sponsors:
Maritime Knife Supply: https://maritimeknifesupply.ca/
Knifeprint: https://knifeprint.com/
Mosa US: https://mosaus.com/

Follow the links below to find each of the other channels competing in the Viking Challenge.
Participating Channels:
B.Kohn Knives:    / @bkohnknives  
Black Beard Projects:    / @blackbeardprojects  
DiesinEveryFilm:    / @diesineveryfilm  
Faraway Forge:    / @farawayforge  
Green Beetle:    / @greenbeetle  
Harpia Knives:    / @cutelariaharpia  
Leppic Knives:    / @leppicknives9830  
Mystic Mountain Forge:    / @mysticmountainforge  
Njord Artisan:    / @njordartisan  
PJT Forging:    / @pjtforging  
Red Beard Ops:    / @redbeardops  
That Works:    / @thatworks  
The Art of Craftsmanship:    / @theartofcraftsmanship  
The Rivers’ Experience:    / @theriversexperience9383  
Tyrell Knifeworks:    / @tyrellknifeworks  

Judge Channels:
Old Hickory Forge:    / @oldhickoryforge  
JP’s Bladeworks:    / @jpsbladeworks  
Rainy Day Forge:    / @rainydayforge  
Heavy_Forge:    / @heavyforge  
Tony Severio Knives:    / @tonyseverioknives  

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