From then on, ‘then’ being January of 2012, it was about completing a step and then researching the next task that I had to take on. As I moved from step to step, I continued to learn more and more about the project, as well as more and more about the culture around axes.

Here are the steps I had to take to get to where I am now… done.

1. Chain Saw Don, a local lumber professional, dropped of 4 foot section of a Hickory tree to my place of business. With the help of a co-worker, I was able to lift the 350 lbs piece into the back of my wagon.
2. That same day, I made contact with a local lumber mill and worked out a deal to drop it off that evening to have them rip it down into 3″ x 3″ sections. After dropping it off and waiting about a week to hear back, I was able to retrieve my pieces.
3. Upon getting the lumber back to my house, it sat for about a week until I was about ready to start shaping. Luckily, a co-worker asked if it had already been dried… oops, I almost missed that step.
4. Again, turning to the internet to do my research, I constructed a homemade wood dryer using heating duct sheet metal, home insulation and 60 watt light bulb. After construction, I placed 2 pieces of the Hickory inside, letting it run day and night for about 3 months. I was pretty nervous the first few days, as I didn’t have a whole lot of faith in my contraption.
5. Upon completion of the drying stage, I built two saw horses and picked up the tools I needed from the local hardware stores and WoodCraft. Taking suggestions from experts at WoodCraft, I picked up a wood rasp, a spokeshave, wood chisels and a hand sander.
6. I began researching best length and shape for an American Felling axe. I measured out 36″ and began sketching what looked to be the right profile on the wood plank. From there, it was about 3 hours of learning how to use each of the tool and figuring out how to work with the grain.
7. After shaving and shaping for about 12 hours over 2-3 days, the axe began to take shape
8. I started researching single bit axes on eBay trying to find some vintage brands for sale. Surprisingly there’s alot, and they’re not cheap. I found a few of the best prospects and won 3 different auctions.
9. While waiting for them, I picked up a cheap handle replacement from the local hardware store made from Ash. Using this, I began to reshape my handle to meet the design of this one as much as possible, since my original drawing was not exact.
10. Once the heads arrived in the mail, I select my favorite and began sharpening it since it was rather dull. Otherwise, the 3.5lb Collins head was in pretty good shape.
11. The axe shaping was finished, so I removed the extra stock on both end and began shaping the shoulder and eye of the handle so it would fit the head.
12. Now that the head fit onto the handle, I began sanding for final shape and feel.
13. Back to WoodCraft I went to get my stain and top coat. Using neutral shellac, some TransTint and a semi-gloss top coat, I sealed the handle, added some color and protected the finish.
14. With both the handle and head complete, it came time to hang the axe. This process is very important and changes depending on type of axe you’re creating. To hang the axe and keep it fixed to the handle, a wood wedge is used to spread the Hickory eye.
15. Axe complete… of course I had to test it on one of the pieces of milled Hickory that was unsuitable for usage. Although Hickory is one of the hardest of the wood species, the axe seemed to have no problem.

With the project complete, you might ask “Was it worth it?”. Well that needs to be evaluated on a few fronts.

• Financially: probably not. A typical, non-Hickory axes from a local hardware store runs about $35. A Best Made Co. axe runs the previously mentioned $300. The top forestry axe, Gransfors Bruks, will set you back $190. My spend was roughly $300, however this does not take into account opportunity cost (what I could have been doing in the 45 hours of time spent on this) or gas mileage. However, there is the adverse opportunity costs of what I would have been spending my time and money if I wasn’t making the axe. This also doesn’t take into account the fact that I’m considering building more axes in the future, which will allocate some of the spend from fixed costs of tools and supplies.
• Experience: Definitely. Considering this was about proving to myself that I could and would complete this project, I’m very, very happy with the results. My career is one of digital output and strategy, so actual physical output isn’t always something I get to see or partake in. I build small projects frequently, but nothing of this magnitude and effort, and they’re often used to communicate concepts versus creating finished products. I tried to be sure to give each step its due diligence, but nearing the end I tend to see the finish line and rush for it. Again this proved true on this project. While finishing the eye and hanging, I dropped the axe, scuffing the finish, having to go back and re-stain and top coat it.
• Nostalgia: This was a small motivator in the back of my head. My grandfather was the most intricate and amazing woodworker I’ve ever seen. I never met him, but my father and his brother both have pieces he created, and they’re one of the few things my parents own that I definitely want to make sure that I get to own one day. After this build, it adds to my appreciation for his creations and even more so, his patience. I plan on continuing this type of work to hone my attention to detail and patience, regardless of the scope.

Thanks for checking out my American Felling axe and feel free to leave your comments below.

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BikeEXIF, a premier blog focused on “the coolest motorcycles”, wrote a post about my cafe’d CB550 today.

Based on it’s name, BikeEXIF focuses on mint bikes with high quality photos. Luckily, Andrew Maguire snapped some great shots of my CB just outside of downtown Grand Rapids last weekend.

I was elated to find out the blog was interested in sharing my bike with their audience and so far the response has been pretty good.

Special thanks to Andrew Maguire, Joseph Ward, Ken Skinner of Classic Snowmobile and Benjie at BCR.

Comments from the site:

A handful of related Tweets:

(posted from my mobile device)

Very neat concept and like the brand expansion of Joey’s minmal approach to transportation. Last years project was the City Bike.

Powering this ‘beast’ is a 1000w electric hub motor, allowing this guy to travel 90 miles before recharging.

Photos by DVDP and Andrew Maguire.