Bag axes

[dyemaker]

I have been looking at bag axes lately and thinking about them. I saw a pipe hawk bag ax and was thinking also of a spike/pipe bag ax and its use. My question is... what is style historically correct? Is the pipe hawk bag ax just a fantasy item? The one I saw at Del Ronde forge seemed useful and correct but what about other styles? I am assuming that a "Nessmuk" double bladed ax is incorrect but I really dont know. Show me your bag axes. :idunno:

 

[hoochiepapa]

Here's mine, made by an artist here.

 

[Ron LaClair]

Here's mine, weighs less that a pound

 

[tg]

I do not know how sturdy pipe hawks are for serious choppin' and such. the two hatchets I carry are shown sheathed below one is a pole type similar to the british military axe/hathcet the other is much smaller and is attatched to my shoulder bag and weighs about a lb very much like the one NW Longhuner showeed above it is ok for light work as splitting bones and cutting stakes and kindling and as a weapon in the worst of conditions but not treally very suitable for such, I would not want it to be my only axe in camp.Neumanns Encyclopedia of the Rev War shows a bunch of hatchet heads but I do not know how good the dating is on them.

 

[Ron LaClair]

Here's another one of my hawks. This one is a little bigger and I carry it in the sheath with a strap that goes over the shoulder.

 

[Stophel]

I've carried this little axe from Smiling Fox Forge. Got it SEVERAL years ago. (my handle looks quite different from this one!) It's a very nice little axe.
http://www.smilingfoxforgellc.com/details.asp?id=77

 

[Stophel]

I have this one, too. But I've never yet gotten around to finishing it up. It seems to be a pretty common design.
http://www.redaviscompany.com/1013.html

Davis also has several cast pipe axes too.

 

[tg]

I found a better pic of the small axe I carry on my shoulder bag.

 

[dyemaker]

Thanks for the photos.

 

[Maestro]

I carry a hand forged "belt axe" by Beaver Bill attached to the back of my shoulder bag. At 4 1/2" long and 2 1/2" wide, it's slightly bigger than the typical bag axe.

 

[BillinOregon]

TG: That looks like the little Fort Miegs pattern. I've always admired it.

 

[tg]

I am sure you are correct Bill I just do not recall where I got it, I was thinking Smiling Fox but the handles are different, it was in the 30-40 dollar range I remember, the "Mowhawk" looks good also, I almost got that one instead, good small utility axes but like I said not a good "only" axe choice in my opinion.

 

[Stophel]

Mine from Smiling Fox came with a more ordinary looking straight oak handle, not like the one shown on their site, but this was years ago. They forge the eye open bigger and then reharden/temper it.

There also seems to be a good deal of confusion around this axe head. As I understand it, this axe head was not found anywhere near Ft. Meigs, but instead was found somewhere in Ky. ??? The real Ft. Meigs axe head looks entirely different, but I don't now recall just what it does look like...

 

[tg]

Yeah, I have herd dubiuos thoughts about the term Mohawk axe some sell as well

 

[J1776]

Ok fellas,... out with the names of the craftsman who's sweat went into them! :wink:
I see some nice work here and it has me wondering,...

 

[J1776]

Here's mine, made by an artist here.

May I ask who the artist was who made this fine piece?

 

[hoochiepapa]

I apologize for the delay in answering you, I have been out of town. KYblacksmith made my bag hatchet. He has his own forging shop, and it is forged with a hard cutting edge installed. Nice, huh? I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but going camping soon.

 

[J1776]

Very nice indeed. thanks for the reply,...I'll have to look him up.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

So what's the deal with "Bag Axes"? I've always heard them referred to as "Belt Axes" and that's where/how they're carried.

I'm not trying to bust gonads here, I'm just really curious, because in all honesty I've never heard the term "Bag Axe". "Bag Knife", yes.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Well, I have a short handled axe, and I carry it in my haversack (bag). Don't have to be h/c p/c to have a name.