Regardless of when and where the video was made, I think it's absolutely fantastic. My father was of American Indian descent and I as a young boy Sat out on the front porch and wAtch him whittle. I've remember him whittling handles for axes, bush blades, knives, chair legs..... Just about anything that could be bought in a store that was made if wood, he could make.
Ah! So that's how it's done!! I looked up videos on this because i wanted to see how you attach a head like that because I'm wanting to make a small carving hatchet for myself and I've been pretty much working with the wood with nothing but a knife like this gentleman. It was great seeing him just do all that work my hand. Really inspired and taught me some new things. Thanks for posting this.
It was wonderful that somebody filmed this, and it is great that the film was preserved. Thanks very much for posting it. I've re-handled a few axe heads myself (at the opposite side of the world) and it is nice to see the similarities. Best wishes from New Zealand.... Stephen Coote.
"The man making the axe-handle is Iivari Mattila from Renko, Finland. He was 80 years old at the time and he was also referred to as “The old man (äijä)from Rauhaniemen"." Source: nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/tag/history-of-finnish-axe/nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/tag/history-of-finnish-axe/
Here in the northeast they typically use ash or hickory, although I've often made hammer handles from hard maple, and peavey handles from black locust, I've never thought of using birch. I honestly would not use a softwood although I can't say I know anyone who experimented with it. It's a great video and slice of history, thanks for posting!
It`s from Finland. And the knot doesn`t have to be a bad thing. Yes, knots in axe-handles can be a weak-spot, but if you see more closely, the knot is running from the front, to the back, quite a ways down from the handle. Also, the knot is quite small. My two cents anyway.
@praagyah i think its birch from the way it is worked, never used spruce, but i have used birch. not saying ur wrong, but that is my gut feeling from the way the axe chops into it
@cretinGbg78 I think it's spruce. It's difficult to say absolutely sure, because of the age of the footage. And i also believe spruce shrinks less than birch does, and is less prone to cracking. I also think the piece he works on is dried. At least for some time, simply because it makes very little sense to put a decent amount of work into making something that will shrink and possibly crack. Ofcourse, your guess is as good as mine. You might be right.
The finns continued to use birch even once hickory was made available en-masse to them as in very cold conditions hickory becomes very brittle and snaps, they also transmit much more vibration to the wielders hands than birch. The finns would cut the bark off live birch trees as it would weather and harden the tree where it was exposed but the process would take 15 - 20 years so fathers would ensure there was ample birches debarked for this reason so that they could pass down timber specifically for handles to their sons for use in the future
Thank you Marcus for this and the other information you have given on this video ;-) My brother is in Finland. I will have to pass on this information and get him to make one...... it may take him some time! hahaha
Well since spruce is a softwood and fairly weak, I highly doubt someone would use it for an axe handle. You can also see that the man is using a Finnish axe for the rough shaping, and birch used to be the primary wood for axe handles in Finland.
This is the second time I've watched this awesome video! But this time I have a new vintage Finnish Axe that looks much like the axe “The old man (äijä)from Rauhaniemen" is wielding, and it needs to be rehafted. The head is heavy close to 4 lb., and it's a R handed hewing design, 6 1/4" with a 5" curved cutting edge. The head has a oval label with ...enager stamped on it. Keeping my eyes open for any info. I'm also posting on Bushcraftusa, if any one want's to share more info. Trying to figure out how long the haft should be....Thanks.
that's a wonderful video! i just rehandled an axe that is almost identical to that one. it was made by koti. the axe head was really rusted so i had to scrape it all down and restore the head before i could make the handle. it's turned out ok though:)could you send me the file for that video?
To Pete Privitere, I just wonder what makes you think that's soft wood? Most axe and bush blade handles I seen my Father make were made of Oak, Birch, Hickory or some other type of hard wood. That axe and knife that this man is using would probably shave you closer than most razors you buy today.
I'm not quite sure why you think birch is a softer wood, in terms of the Janka hardness rating, it's the exact same hardness as red oak. The reason they use birch in Finland is because 1) it's hard, and 2) it doesn't become brittle in cold weather conditions, unlike most other harder woods.
Ripped shoulder sleeve, repaired pants, hand rolled cig, made an axe handle with a hatched, a knife, and a piece of glass. I think we may have found Chuck Norris's grandfather.
That is actually just a knife. The same knife that he`s using through the whole process. After that, he uses a piece of freshly broken glass, as a scraper.
I believe it`s spruce. It could be birch, but there`s no reason why it couldn`t be spruce, even though it is Finland. Or maybe fir. Some cedar species maybe. No real way of telling.
Regardless of when and where the video was made, I think it's absolutely fantastic.
My father was of American Indian descent and I as a young boy Sat out on the front porch and wAtch him whittle. I've remember him whittling handles for axes, bush blades, knives, chair legs.....
Just about anything that could be bought in a store that was made if wood, he could make.
Ah! So that's how it's done!! I looked up videos on this because i wanted to see how you attach a head like that because I'm wanting to make a small carving hatchet for myself and I've been pretty much working with the wood with nothing but a knife like this gentleman. It was great seeing him just do all that work my hand. Really inspired and taught me some new things. Thanks for posting this.
It was wonderful that somebody filmed this, and it is great that the film was preserved. Thanks very much for posting it. I've re-handled a few axe heads myself (at the opposite side of the world) and it is nice to see the similarities. Best wishes from New Zealand.... Stephen Coote.
"The man making the axe-handle is Iivari Mattila from Renko, Finland. He was 80 years old at the time and he was also referred to as “The old man (äijä)from Rauhaniemen"." Source: nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/tag/history-of-finnish-axe/nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/tag/history-of-finnish-axe/
Here in the northeast they typically use ash or hickory, although I've often made hammer handles from hard maple, and peavey handles from black locust, I've never thought of using birch. I honestly would not use a softwood although I can't say I know anyone who experimented with it. It's a great video and slice of history, thanks for posting!
WOW. Look how relaxed and controlled he works. This wman is skilled in what he does.
It`s from Finland. And the knot doesn`t have to be a bad thing. Yes, knots in axe-handles can be a weak-spot, but if you see more closely, the knot is running from the front, to the back, quite a ways down from the handle. Also, the knot is quite small. My two cents anyway.
There is also a possibility it is beech. Beech has been used in many Northern and Scandinavian countries for axe and implement handles.
@praagyah i think its birch from the way it is worked, never used spruce, but i have used birch. not saying ur wrong, but that is my gut feeling from the way the axe chops into it
I have worked quite a bit with maple and with a really sharp knife you can carve it like this.
@cretinGbg78 I think it's spruce. It's difficult to say absolutely sure, because of the age of the footage. And i also believe spruce shrinks less than birch does, and is less prone to cracking. I also think the piece he works on is dried. At least for some time, simply because it makes very little sense to put a decent amount of work into making something that will shrink and possibly crack. Ofcourse, your guess is as good as mine. You might be right.
The finns continued to use birch even once hickory was made available en-masse to them as in very cold conditions hickory becomes very brittle and snaps, they also transmit much more vibration to the wielders hands than birch. The finns would cut the bark off live birch trees as it would weather and harden the tree where it was exposed but the process would take 15 - 20 years so fathers would ensure there was ample birches debarked for this reason so that they could pass down timber specifically for handles to their sons for use in the future
The video is from Finland, so most likely it is made of birch. Birch was the traditional material for axe handles.
Nice job, let God bless this grandad.
Thank you Marcus for this and the other information you have given on this video ;-) My brother is in Finland. I will have to pass on this information and get him to make one...... it may take him some time! hahaha
Gr8 vid. Shame there's a bad knot in the haft. Talented old geezer!
Any ideas what country this is from?
it is birch. look at the colour, no different coloration, nice chips, easy to carve, not dryed yet so it cuts wery easy..
wow great video i don't know where u found it but keep up the great work it's motivating and awsome no home depot trip for him lol
Большое спасибо за видеоролик! Очень познавательно.
Well since spruce is a softwood and fairly weak, I highly doubt someone would use it for an axe handle. You can also see that the man is using a Finnish axe for the rough shaping, and birch used to be the primary wood for axe handles in Finland.
What type of knife was he using to shave the wood, as it looked like it must have a curved blade or grind to get the shavings to curl off like that?
Any idea on the type of wood he was using?
thats the way
@IKUIKUgogo555 I have added the information you requested in the video information tab.
Hi, Thanks for shearing this grate video!
I would love to see more of this. if you do not mind, could you also share the source?
Was there a reason to make an axe handle out of soft wood?
This is the second time I've watched this awesome video! But this time I have a new vintage Finnish Axe that looks much like the axe “The old man (äijä)from Rauhaniemen" is wielding, and it needs to be rehafted. The head is heavy close to 4 lb., and it's a R handed hewing design, 6 1/4" with a 5" curved cutting edge. The head has a oval label with ...enager stamped on it. Keeping my eyes open for any info. I'm also posting on Bushcraftusa, if any one want's to share more info. Trying to figure out how long the haft should be....Thanks.
Excellent video!
that's a wonderful video! i just rehandled an axe that is almost identical to that one. it was made by koti. the axe head was really rusted so i had to scrape it all down and restore the head before i could make the handle. it's turned out ok though:)could you send me the file for that video?
Thanks for sharing.
To Pete Privitere, I just wonder what makes you think that's soft wood?
Most axe and bush blade handles I seen my Father make were made of Oak, Birch, Hickory or some other type of hard wood.
That axe and knife that this man is using would probably shave you closer than most razors you buy today.
+Thomas Pigg The handle is probably made of birch, which is a softer wood but still good for axe handles.
+DarthTaco351 Thank you. Didn't know for sure but the information is greatly appreciated.
IMO Birch is one of the prettiest woods for axe handles. The natural birch oils darken the handle over the years and it looks REALLY nice.
I'm not quite sure why you think birch is a softer wood, in terms of the Janka hardness rating, it's the exact same hardness as red oak. The reason they use birch in Finland is because 1) it's hard, and 2) it doesn't become brittle in cold weather conditions, unlike most other harder woods.
I think it was filmed in 1938 or 1941.
Ripped shoulder sleeve, repaired pants, hand rolled cig, made an axe handle with a hatched, a knife, and a piece of glass.
I think we may have found Chuck Norris's grandfather.
nice, thanks for showing,
A REAL man. WOW!!!!
That is actually just a knife. The same knife that he`s using through the whole process.
After that, he uses a piece of freshly broken glass, as a scraper.
No need for sound! it speaks by itself.
I dont thik this vid is from finland. I think its lithuanian. Have seen a few vids of eastern europes making similar things. LOVE IT!
AWOL
Hi, Thnks for shearing this grate video!
I would love to see more of this. if you do not mind, could you also share the source?
I believe it`s spruce. It could be birch, but there`s no reason why it couldn`t be spruce, even though it is Finland. Or maybe fir. Some cedar species maybe. No real way of telling.
hyvaa
I'm 160% sure it's birch.
Ok, you guys were right, it IS finish. My bad.
AWOL
The glory of the working people! Long live socialism! Greetings from Polish!!!
I am 100% sure that the wood in this video is birch.
u starszych fachowców skręt obowiązkowo, bo inaczej się nie uda.
Facet albo ma tyle siły w rękach, albo ostre ostrze..
zajebiste