Improved Railroad Spike Axe
Knives and axes made from railroad spikes are a fun novelty item for blacksmiths to make. But can they be improved to be better than just a novelty item?
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Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.
Oops! This was supposed to be for Sunday morning. Enjoy the video a few days early.
I gladly did so John, thanks!
I was all excited to see an extra video.
Thanks John and godbless always appreciate your time and wisdom.
This is a mistake I can get behind. Also great drone shot of the complex.
@@rodmullen64 Agreed! The solar panel stood out, was that a new addition to help drive the equipment?
I'd say it's still a railroad spike axe because it has a railroad spike in its construction and it distinctly shows it, and on top of that it's actually good.
Did my first forge weld the other day! It worked first try even without flux! I knew exactly what I needed to do because I watched your videos! Thanks John!
Fantastic!
Congratulations.
@@clydebalcom3679 thank you!
Hey good job man. I busted my first weld, so getting it first try is something to be proud of.
This is a perfect example of how a youtube video should be presented! Nothing but education and entertainment! No repetition; always informative but fun to watch ( and learn )!! Thank You!! I have subscribed and given a thumbs up!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
no vpn or skillshare advertisements either!
Love videos that show the whole shop in action. I like the educational videos too but I prefer these. Thanks John!
Thanks
I have made several RR spike axe/tomahawk with tool steel forged into the cutting edge. I have never sold one but give them away as gifts. They make a great small axe for camping. Split kindling and use the head as a hammer for stakes and whatever. Most have ended up displayed on a wall or table in a home. Yup, a lot of time is spent but worth it when the recipient (family member or close friend) really likes the gift and appreciates the skill and work involved. A big smile and a thank you hug sometimes is priceless. TT
Nothing beats a wide smile when you gift something you made to a close friend or family.
While I didn't use a rr spike, I have made a couple of small hatchetts by forge welding better steel bits in to other steel, purely for the practice (and as gifts to family). I agree, it's a lot more work than just making an axe from decent steel to start with and as you say, not profitable, but I did find the process a good exercise all the same.
or if ur a kid and ur neighbors tossing out a bunch of drill bits and you do not know where to find good steel but you live next to a old rail road
You, good sir, are like a lost art, and a great teacher rolled into one. The steps you show are well above other people. You make blacksmithing look amazing.
The early video is definitely appreciated.
To my untrained eye I couldn't see where you welded the cutting edge to the spike. Amazing work. Thank you for your videos sir.
Very cool axe. Technologically. Especially the part where forge welding and induction heater.
Folding and forge welding the spike clearly makes the end product better, and your discussion of the economics of spending that much time on an RR spike project is right on! I still make spike stuff for my wife to sell in her booth at an antique mall, but her customers wouldn't be interested in spending the money to justify a 5160 blade on a spike hawk. I will still forge weld some 1084 to a spike to make a proper knife at some point, but only for the fun of it.
I love your videos. I'm from Scotland and I am a carpenter. I have dabbled in blacksmithing from time to time and always wanted to learn. Unfortunately my health took a dump and am now housebound but I love watching your videos. I love the way you do your tutorials. Very informative and well presented. Thank you for the time you take to make the videos.
i really like the shape it ended in.
Thank you John, for these educational videos that my student daughter and I enormously value. Hobbyist blacksmiths, we have a lot to learn. All the best and enjoy your weekend, Wendi & Molly 🌻🌻🌻
Forgewelding in the induction forge sounds like a huge gamechanger. Being able to see the precise temperature and not having to deal with slag seems super useful. I would think oxidization would be more of a problem though, with there being no fire to burn up the oxygen.
So far that doesn't seem to be an issue.
Thanks for another great video. Your tip about really thinning out the corners of the split is well taken. I've made a half dozen small axes/tomahawks with a welded in bit since viewing that video. Getting the corners seamless is a challenge.
Thanks John, I always pick up a tip or trick from watching your videos. I love how honest and genuine you are.
I appreciate the technique shown here. Interesting point about valuation. Of this axe vs cost put I to making it. Loved seeing the combination of induction forge and other tools in the shop. Great video. So glad it came early. Army SE Oregon
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into all of your videos for everyone!
Glad you like them!
Great to see a video like this John. Very enjoyable and educational.
Since you have such a large heal, maybe next one try upsetting that to give you even more material for the eye?
Did anyone else pucker up for a split second at the 4:50 mark? Thought you were about to barehand that spike. 😆
always a pleasure to watch you work in your shop, no matter what you make. you always make it interesting.
As one of the people who asked that question, I thank you for the video, and look forward to trying this myself.
It's a beautiful axe. I had never seen a railroad spike axe before. Looks like it would be good for throwing
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
John, living a mile down road I hope to some day learn more from you. As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world.❤
Nice A friend of mine made one of these for me. Really a surprisingly handy little gizmo. A dandy chisel on a stick. Keeps your hand clear. Perfect for cutting stubborn roots. Handy for welding too. I'll have to try this. Thanks.
Good work. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎
Hi John, I see this project is a learning experience. Just having the time at the forge is priceless, I don't sell my wares, they are gifts or donations for fundraising. Most of my forge work helps me repair antique engines as the blacksmith would have 100+ years ago. Thanks for sharing your skills. 👍
Best thing I’ve ever heard at the end of a video like this! “Wear your safety glasses” it doesn’t make you cool and tough to not kids
Outstanding idea!
awesome video, thanks for sharing!
Whole time I was watching that I was thinking "That's a whole lotta work". I found the rhythmic beating of the hammer most relaxing.
I like it more because you can put a nail puller on the hammer end and it's better for carving; it also impresses people more.
Thanks again for the lesson, a valuable lesson. One not to waste time . Good job as always.
Excellent video! Thanks!
My experience with spikes over the years has been it depends on what they were made of to begin with. I've had some new spikes that would get extremely hard in an oil quench and some that wouldn't, but that said I've done many spike knives and hawks just the same way you did this one. Love the channel.
Thanks for the early inspiration and that did come out really kool I like it I have a couple of kids that camp quite a bit so I might make a couple for them
The only thing that I don’t like about living in Florida is I can’t come over and bother you and work in the shop. I appreciate all the knowledge you always share.
Thanks for sharing.
*SOLD* - For those asking. This little axe has been listed for sale at $135 (includes shipping in the US) over on the Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/BlackBearForge - SOLD
Cool, good job!
Another helpful video. Thank you for all the time and efort you put into all of your video.
Glad it was helpful!
I enjoyed this video. I will be making more time in my shop because of you. Thank you & God bless
that induction forge gives such a different experience
I think it's cool! The things i make are for my enjoyment and if i'm lucky I can sell a few things and pay for my supplies. I Price my things for the market I have. I know I could sell them for more in a different market but i'm not willing to take the time to find it. Thanks again John!
I like that. My 1st thought when it was done was that it could make a unique Roofing Hammer, of course you would have to redefine the hammer head so it's flat not rounded over. Thanks for anther great video John. I learn a lot from your videos.
😀 I was.thinking a trap line or trail axe 👍
Super clean, great looking final product.
Glad you like it!
Nice kindlin hatchet.
I sure enjoy your expertise... regardless of what day of the week it is.
Hi my brother in iron this has turned out a great looking little axe it’s given me the will to get out and give one a try as a change from forging knives it would maybe make a good kitchen axe… Thanks for sharing
I bet these would make some neat claw hammers.
I have no idea why I never thought of folding it on itself and forge welding it. Thanks. Gonna have to try it at some point
Glad to help
I like the idea. I think I'll use the forge welding to make a claw hammer. Could be a cool little tool project and make for a interesting shop hammer.
Thanks John for that great video! Love it 😉💪
That would make a great lightweight carving axe.
Love these videos! thanks for making these for us.
My pleasure!
Just started my blacksmitch journey yesterday! I got a forge in but had to start setting it up but couldn’t wait for that so I started a decent sized wood fire and unfortunately I couldn’t get the steel hot enough even with a makeshift bath van blowing on it it wouldn’t heat the steel up hot enough so I might grab some charcoal today and try that in really ready to make a knife! Lol
Man that looks like the drywall hatchet I started with back in the early 80s . Looks great .
Something like that would make a great Camp axe due to the carbon Edge added I really like it
It came out nice. I am like you. I would do the wrap around with high carbon insert for a throwing tomahawk or something like that or just start with better steel. But I have made a few RR spike knives too. I guess it is a right of passage or something. :) Thanks for the video.
I was never big fan on railroad spikes as a material myself. Great video though it was fun to watch
Looks like just a fun project, John. Bill
Maybe not practical for you business wise but sure was good for me both entertaining and educational. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Beautiful as usual ❤
Very nice work bud
Okay I really want a induction forge now.Great video.
I have been very happy with mine. Although it does have its limits and I still use the propane forge most of the time.
Useful project for the less experienced smith, in developing and refining skills.
Awesome build. I am going to try folding it so i can make a better eye. Also is so quiet without the other forges running. I didn't realize our profession was so noisy 😂. Guess that's why we wear ear plugs.
Dtill the two holes… genius. That is the first time I’ve seen that done and would be amazing to see it done on a hammer.
Really Enjoyed Your Video Thanks
First video I've seen from you. Great video and editing, and I really appreciate your honest opinion at the end. Great job!
Welcome aboard!
I add files to make decent knives. Most guys like them if they hold a better edge. Thanks John, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you. Induction! Wow!
Really good video, like the new style. Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
I’ve been a hobbyist for 30 years +. How do you find the induction heater for small work?
I discuss where mine came from in this video kzhead.info/sun/g8OMhNamh5GVd2w/bejne.html
A nice piece of work, voice reminds of ron swanson from parcs and rec..
Wait... whaaat?!?! You can forge without a 12' tall vintage Chambersburg power hammer? Who knew! I enjoyed watching your video. The fact that you relied on the "Armstrong" brand hammer makes the craft more accessible to so many people. I do enjoy watching the old machines get restored and put back to work, but it's also important to show the next generation of smiths that you don't absolutely need these giant beasts in your shop. Best regards from Key West, Capt. Blackheart Charlie
i like this axe style because of the hammer side
It's a fun project and good practice especially when RR spikes are more plentiful than good tool steel. Cheers
I am impressed
Very cool man
Hey John your first video inspired me to make some of these I’ve just had a problem with the blade I just can’t get the width out of it like how you do I upset it just about as much as you do then take a cross peen and try to draw it out in width but it usually draws out too far
Great video
Im sure the guys that work with rail road spikes, even the retired. Would buy that
Well mate, some beautiful things don't need a purpose. Of course your business logic is spot on, but it is nevertheless a really cool little axe. Nice job, as usual.
This is a awesome inexpensive project! Dilrailments are more common for some reason lol
That was a great step up for the usable Railroad Spike Tomahawk !! Something you could use in camp for kindling wood, shelter making. Thanks for sharing with us, stay safe around there and keep up the great videos . Fred.
good job I like it
This is the cutest little bearded axe I have ever seen and I want one.... I'd like to make a railroad spike war hammer w/ a spike on the back, that would be a better use of a railroad spike. 😁👍
Thanks again for the lessons. By the way he does look kind of like medieval style axe.
Great video like always
I'd kinda like one for campfire knockaround.
I just realized your nice roof. And I too have learned Forge Weld Process from watching your videos, like Duckrabbit.
I’ve been thinking about a shortcut on this process. A person could run a few beads of hard facing welding rod along the cutting edge of a mostly finished spike knife/tomahawk, and create a decent steel edge that would last pretty well, while keeping the time investment down. With as much use as the typical novelty spike knife/axe sees, it should last plenty long. The only thing stopping me from trying it is I don’t have a stick welder😂 I got the idea from a friend who used to do the same thing to his lawnmower blades, and got a lot more life out of them.
It would probably work if you can get a clean weld along a thin edge
@@BlackBearForge The trick my friend used to get a good weld, was he had found a large piece of copper plate somewhere, so he would lay the blade on it and run his bead along the blade against the copper, which kept the thin edge of the blade from melting through. I figure by the time I get a stick welder bought, I should have enough copper scraps saved up to cast me a little ingot to use the same way.
I have done something similar using oxy acetylene welding with 1080 music wire (available on Amazon) as the filler wire. Worked well for some light duty splitting wedges I made from 1" mild steel.
I keep all my 3mm 1/8 drill bits I snap or blunten And I Tig weld using the drill bits as filler when need a quality sharp edge on something I fabricated
Very nice! I’ve made a railroad spike tomahawk way back, but definitely wasn’t this nice.
Really liking the new glasses!
They won't last, to small of a field of view
First; I love the coke bottle glasses... Sorry for the bad joke...On a more serious note I really appreciate how you bring an honest perspective to the craft and the work that goes into it. Seeing you use the different methods of forging let's a guy realize he just doesn't have to do one thing.
nice little axe, how much does it weigh after adding on the 5160 edge?