Axes have been used in battle and to harvest timber for millennia and were an integral part of Viking and early Scandinavian life. This 4 day workshop will take participants through the process of making a Damascus Steel Wrapped Axe–an object that is as beautiful as it is functional.

Originally used to make steel tough, resistant to shattering and capable of being honed to a sharp resilient edge, the swirling patterns of Damascus steel have been used as blades for swords and knives since the 3rd century. Today the process is alive and well with Damascus knives becoming ever more complex and ornate. This masterclass will start by taking participants through the process of making their own Damascus steel billet, which they will then forge into the axe head.

Participants will start by learning about the properties of steel and create the swirling patterns by stacking and fire-welding steel alloys with a power hammer. Once the billet is complete it will be forged into the axe-head using traditional anvil-forging methods and power-hammer, finishing off by applying an acid-etch to develop the pattern and shaping the handle from a piece of spotted-gum timber.

This class requires prior blacksmithing experience, if you're unsure, just ask us!

Topics

• Steel selection: hard vs tough
• Stock preparation
• Fire-welding
• Working a billet on a power hammer
• Damascus pattern development
• Forging the wrapped axe