This time we'll go back to Stone Age times, with modern tools!
Stone axes are cool stuff. They exist in a large number of forms and sizes and for thousands of years they've been used for construction purposes, hunting, war and mosquito smashing. The first 'axes' were unhafted - without a handle. Trying and erroring the caveboys discovered that their tools could be a lot more effective if fixed to a pole - the hafted axes were born.
Hafted axes are or 'grooved' or, of course, 'ungrooved'. The 'groove' refers to a modification of the shaped stone - called a 'celt' - that forms the heart of the axe. Those celts are almost indestructible and eagerly found on archeological sites.
In this Instructible I'll show you how to make a basic stone axe. I don't want to copy any style and I don't want to refer to a particular historic period. It's all about fun and following your creative instinct.
Back in time axe building must have been a long and hard work, but with some modern tools it's really a piece of cake.
Wanna do it the old way with a sand bed instead of an angle grinder? Feel free!
You'll find a lot of usefull information on http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com
Stone axes are cool stuff. They exist in a large number of forms and sizes and for thousands of years they've been used for construction purposes, hunting, war and mosquito smashing. The first 'axes' were unhafted - without a handle. Trying and erroring the caveboys discovered that their tools could be a lot more effective if fixed to a pole - the hafted axes were born.
Hafted axes are or 'grooved' or, of course, 'ungrooved'. The 'groove' refers to a modification of the shaped stone - called a 'celt' - that forms the heart of the axe. Those celts are almost indestructible and eagerly found on archeological sites.
In this Instructible I'll show you how to make a basic stone axe. I don't want to copy any style and I don't want to refer to a particular historic period. It's all about fun and following your creative instinct.
Back in time axe building must have been a long and hard work, but with some modern tools it's really a piece of cake.
Wanna do it the old way with a sand bed instead of an angle grinder? Feel free!
You'll find a lot of usefull information on http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com
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Signing UpStep 1: Shaping a pebble into a 'celt'
Search a pebble. Granite, diorite and all kinds of volcanic rocks are pretty fine. Sandstone and flintstone (of course) are also okay.
Use angle grinder with a diamond disc to rawcut the pebble and a heavy sanding disc (the kind used to sand concrete, bricks, metal etc.) to do the rawsanding. Take care of your hands because the disc makes no difference between pebble and meat, use gloves and goggles!
Howto? Like in the pictures: conical, sharp end on the large side, round end at the top.
Fine sanding paper will finish the 'celt' aka axe-shaped pebble. I ended with a 800 grain water-sanding paper.
I stupidly lost the pictures of the shaping process of the granite celt but there's some stuff of another celt - much smaller and dark, maybe basalt.
Use angle grinder with a diamond disc to rawcut the pebble and a heavy sanding disc (the kind used to sand concrete, bricks, metal etc.) to do the rawsanding. Take care of your hands because the disc makes no difference between pebble and meat, use gloves and goggles!
Howto? Like in the pictures: conical, sharp end on the large side, round end at the top.
Fine sanding paper will finish the 'celt' aka axe-shaped pebble. I ended with a 800 grain water-sanding paper.
I stupidly lost the pictures of the shaping process of the granite celt but there's some stuff of another celt - much smaller and dark, maybe basalt.
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But that is just me !
Maybe like cooking a buffalo with a star trek phaser .
Modern tools are therefore a very legitimate way to learn about primitive technologies. For example, thanks to doing things the quick way, bartolo has been able to make multiple stone axes. I'll bet you each time he made one, he learned something new about what works and what doesn't in stone axe construction. And I'll bet you that if he had done it the old way--pecked and ground the stone with other stones, burned and scraped the handle with flint flakes--he would be extremely hesitant to go banging his museum-quality piece against trees. This way, he is able to learn not only about the construction of the axe but also its use.
So you see, using power tools to make stone tools actually makes a lot of sense. (But it's always going to be ironic!)
Modern tools are the result of the geniosity of those who were brilliant before us. They permitted me to build a stone axe in only a few hours. The building is one thing, the use another. I'm sure I'll be able to add a lot more information soon...
Showcasing the entire line of stone axes .
With accompanying photos of different uses . Ala tim the tool guy demonstrating them in checked flannel shirts .
But it is unfinished.
If used that way the handle will soon split from the wedging action of the stone.
What you need to finish it off is rawhide lashing around the end, then âXâed down below the stone and around the handle a bunch more times.
If you do this with the rawhide wet it will shrink as it dries.
'For the axe or celt:
Choose a fine-grained basalt, diorite, granite, quartzite, or other granular material that looks like it has enough strength to hold together under the stress of chopping wood. Usually, the finer the grain size, the stronger the tool. Remember also, that small grain size means more work but the tools will last longer.
Test the stone by hitting it with a hammerstone or rock hammer. If the stone breaks easily, discard it. You'll want tough stone.
Find a stone that looks something like an axe or celt already. This will greatly influence the amount of labor needed to make the tool. In ancient times, craftsmen might walk many creeks before finding the perfect rock. In modern society, we may only be able to get permission to walk .001 percent of the area to which they had access. I'd bet, while hunting and/or foraging, ancient ground stone tool makers kept their eyes open for material wherever they walked and were able to pick the "cream of the crop".'
Dixit some men from the field. Picture: a full-grooved axe made of diorite.
Does it really cut wood or is it just for show???
I love the olive wood handle by the way and its finish! I think that this is a great tutorial though on the use of stone masonry and wood working / tool making with natural materials. I'm yet to try the sand bed for shaping / polishing too, thanks!
Greg
By the way: my celt is made from white granite, not sandstone.