How To Make A Stone Axe

In the realm of primitive technology, the stone axe stands as a testament to human ingenuity. Fashioned from the Earth’s raw materials, it was an indispensable tool for our ancestors, enabling them to conquer the wilderness and carve their place in history. Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the ancient art of stone axe making. Together, we’ll rediscover the techniques employed by our forebears and forge a lasting connection with the origins of civilization.

Let us begin with the selection of the perfect stone. The ideal material is fine-grained and possesses a conchoidal fracture, a property that allows it to break cleanly with sharp edges. Granite, basalt, and flint are all excellent choices, offering a balance of durability and ease of working. Once the stone has been chosen, it’s time to shape the axe head. This is a meticulous process that involves using smaller stones as hammers to remove flakes from the main piece. The desired shape is gradually achieved through repeated blows, with the craftsman carefully balancing force and precision.

Gather Raw Materials

Crafting a stone axe requires carefully selecting and gathering suitable raw materials. The ideal starting point is to locate rocks possessing the desired qualities for shaping the axe head and handle.

For the axe head, the primary consideration is hardness and durability. Suitable rock types include flint, chert, quartzite, and basalt. These rocks are characterized by their fine-grained structure and high mineral content, ensuring they can withstand repeated strikes and maintain a sharp edge.

When choosing rocks for the axe handle, toughness and resilience are crucial. Stones like sandstone, limestone, or granite prove adequate for this purpose. Their coarse-grained texture provides a secure grip while minimizing splintering or breakage during use.

In addition to the main components, it’s also recommended to gather smaller rocks or pebbles for use as knapping tools. These tools will assist in shaping and refining the axe head and handle.

The following table summarizes the key characteristics of suitable rocks for each component:

Component	Desirable Rock Characteristics
Axe Head	Hardness, durability (e.g., flint, chert, quartzite, basalt)
Axe Handle	Toughness, resilience (e.g., sandstone, limestone, granite)

Shape the Stone

The first step in making a stone axe is to shape the stone. This can be done using a variety of tools, including a hammerstone, a chisel, and a grinding stone. The goal is to create a stone that is roughly the shape of an axe head, with a sharp edge on one end.

To begin, select a stone that is the right size and shape for your axe head. The stone should be hard and durable, such as flint, granite, or quartzite. Once you have selected a stone, you need to remove any large pieces of bark or debris. This can be done by using a hammerstone to break off the pieces.

Next, you need to shape the stone into a rough axe head. This can be done by using a chisel to chip away at the stone. Start by making a shallow groove around the edge of the stone. Then, use the chisel to chip away at the stone inside the groove. Continue chipping away until you have created a rough axe head shape.

Once you have created a rough axe head shape, you need to sharpen the edge. This can be done by using a grinding stone. Hold the stone against the grinding stone and move it back and forth in a circular motion. Continue grinding until you have created a sharp edge.

The following table provides a summary of the steps involved in shaping the stone:

Step	Description
1	Select a stone that is the right size and shape for your axe head.
2	Remove any large pieces of bark or debris from the stone.
3	Shape the stone into a rough axe head shape using a chisel.
4	Sharpen the edge of the axe head using a grinding stone.

Sharpen the Edge

Once you have the basic shape of your axe head, it’s time to sharpen the edge. This can be done using a variety of methods, but the most common is to use a whetstone or a grinding stone. If you’re using a whetstone, start by soaking it in water for a few minutes. This will help to lubricate the stone and prevent it from scratching your axe head. Once the whetstone is soaked, hold the axe head against the stone at a 45-degree angle. Move the axe head back and forth across the stone, using a light pressure. Be patient, as it may take some time to get the edge sharp.

If you’re using a grinding stone, the process is similar. However, because grinding stones are much harder than whetstones, you will need to use more pressure when sharpening your axe head. Hold the axe head against the stone at a 45-degree angle and move it back and forth across the stone, using a firm pressure. Be careful not to press too hard, as this can damage the stone.

Once you have sharpened the edge of your axe head, test it out by cutting a piece of wood. The axe should cut through the wood easily. If it doesn’t, you may need to sharpen the edge further.

Sharpening Method	Instructions
Whetstone	Soak the whetstone in water for a few minutes. Hold the axe head against the stone at a 45-degree angle and move it back and forth across the stone, using a light pressure.
Grinding stone	Hold the axe head against the stone at a 45-degree angle and move it back and forth across the stone, using a firm pressure.

Create a Handle

To craft an effective stone axe handle, you should start with a sturdy, straight branch approximately 2-3 feet in length and 1-2 inches in diameter. Ideally, select a hardwood species such as hickory or ash, renowned for their strength and shock absorption qualities. Using a sharp knife or axe, carefully remove any bark or smaller branches from the surface of the branch. Ensuring a snug fit for the stone, shape the end of the branch where the stone will be attached to create a tapered, blunt point.

Preparing the Haft

Before attaching the stone to the handle, prepare the haft by creating a shallow notch or groove at the end of the handle’s pointed tip. This notch will provide a secure hold for the stone once bound in place. To create the notch, use a sharp knife or chisel to carefully carve a small, U-shaped indentation around the circumference of the handle’s tip.

Attaching the Stone

With the haft prepared, it is time to attach the stone to the handle. Traditionally, this has been accomplished using animal sinew or rawhide cordage. Alternatively, modern materials such as leather or synthetic twine can also be utilized. After wrapping several turns of cordage around the base of the stone’s groove, insert the stone into the notch on the handle’s haft. Securely fasten the cordage by tightly winding it around both the stone and the handle, ensuring a solid and durable connection.

Shaping the Handle

Once the stone is securely attached to the handle, you can further refine the grip and ergonomics by shaping the handle. Using a knife or drawknife, carefully remove excess wood from the handle’s length, creating a comfortable and secure hold. You may also wish to carve notches or grooves into the handle to provide a better grip when using the axe. Finally, sand the handle smooth to remove any splinters or sharp edges, ensuring a comfortable and efficient tool.

Haft the Stone

1. Choose a sturdy wooden branch

Select a branch that is straight and has a diameter of at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). Make sure the branch is free of knots and other imperfections.

2. Cut the branch to the desired length

The length of the haft will depend on your personal preference. A good starting point is to cut the branch to a length that is about 18 inches (45 cm) long.

3. Remove the bark from the branch

Use a knife or other sharp tool to remove the bark from the branch. This will help to prevent the bark from loosening and coming off later on.

4. Sharpen one end of the branch

Use a knife or other sharp tool to sharpen one end of the branch. This will be the end that you will insert into the stone.

5. Create a groove in the stone

Use a hammerstone or other blunt object to create a groove in the stone. The groove should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and wide enough to accommodate the sharpened end of the branch.

6. Insert the branch into the groove

Insert the sharpened end of the branch into the groove in the stone. Make sure the branch is securely seated in the groove.

7. Secure the branch with lashing

Use sinew, cordage, or other material to lash the branch to the stone. This will help to keep the branch in place and prevent it from coming loose.

8. Finishing Touches

Smooth the lashing and handle as much as possible. If needed, shape the stone using a hammerstone. You can make the stone sharper by continuing to flake away the edges of the stone.

Smooth and Refine

5. Smooth and Refine the Axe Head:

Once the axe head has reached its desired shape, it’s time to smooth it out and refine its edge. This step is essential for both the aesthetics and functionality of the axe.

6. Grind the Axe Head:

Using a grinding stone or a rotary tool with a grinding bit, carefully grind the surface of the axe head. Start with a coarse grit to remove any rough edges or imperfections. Gradually switch to finer grits to achieve a smooth and polished finish.

Grit	Description
80-120	Coarse grit for removing large imperfections
180-220	Medium grit for smoothing out surfaces
320-400	Fine grit for refining and polishing

7. Sharpen the Axe Edge:

Using a whetstone or sharpening stone, hold the axe at a 15-20 degree angle to the edge. Slowly and gently rub the blade along the stone, applying light pressure. Continue sharpening until you feel a burr forming on the opposite side of the edge. Remove the burr by stropping the edge on a piece of leather or a honing steel.

Prepare the Wood

Selecting the appropriate wood is crucial for the axe’s durability and effectiveness. Choose hardwoods such as oak, maple, or hickory, which are renowned for their strength and resistance to splitting.

Cut a piece of wood approximately 18 inches (45.72 cm) long and 4 inches (10.16 cm) wide. The width should be wide enough to accommodate the stone blade and provide a comfortable grip.

Using a sharp knife or chisel, carve a shallow groove along the center of the wood, approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) deep. This groove will serve as the socket for the stone blade.

Sharpen one end of the wood using a knife or chisel. This will form the blade of the axe.

Round off the other end of the wood and leave about 6 inches (15.24 cm) for the handle.

Smooth the surface of the wood using sandpaper or a file. This will ensure a secure hold and prevent splintering.

To further enhance grip and comfort, you can carve notches or grooves into the handle.

Bind the Head and Handle

The next step is to bind the head and handle together. This will help to keep the head in place and prevent it from flying off when you swing the axe. There are several different ways to bind the head and handle, but the most common method is to use rawhide or sinew.

To bind the head and handle with rawhide, first cut a strip of rawhide that is about 1 inch wide and 18 inches long. Soak the rawhide in water for 10 minutes to soften it. Then, wrap the rawhide around the head and handle, starting at the top of the handle. Bring the ends of the rawhide together at the bottom of the handle, and tie them together with a square knot.

To bind the head and handle with sinew, first cut a length of sinew that is about 2 feet long. Wrap the sinew around the head and handle, starting at the top of the handle. Bring the ends of the sinew together at the bottom of the handle, and tie them together with a square knot. Then, continue wrapping the sinew around the head and handle, working your way back up to the top. Once you reach the top, tie off the sinew with a square knot.

Binding Material	Advantages	Disadvantages
Rawhide	strong, durable, easy to work with	can be expensive, can shrink when it gets wet
Sinew	strong, durable, flexible	can be difficult to find, can break if it is not properly prepared
Leather	strong, durable, water-resistant	can be expensive, can be difficult to work with

Secure the Haft

Making a stone axe is a process that requires skill and patience. One of the most important steps is securing the haft, which is the handle of the axe. The haft must be strong enough to withstand the force of the axe head, but it must also be comfortable to hold. There are several different ways to secure the haft, but one of the most common is to use lashing.

Tools and Materials

To secure the haft using lashing, you will need the following tools and materials:

Tools	Materials
Knife or sharp rock	Haft
Lashing (sinew, leather, or cord)	Stone axe head

Steps

To secure the haft using lashing, follow these steps:

1. Cut a groove into the end of the haft. The groove should be about 1 inch deep and 1/2 inch wide.
2. Insert the axe head into the groove.
3. Wrap the lashing around the haft and the axe head.
4. Tie the lashing securely.
5. Trim any excess lashing.

Test and Sharpen

Once you have made your axe head, you need to test it to make sure it is sharp enough. To do this, find a piece of wood and try to cut it with your axe. If the axe is sharp, it should cut through the wood easily. If the axe is not sharp enough, you will need to sharpen it.

To sharpen your axe, you can use a whetstone or a piece of sandpaper. Hold the axe head against the whetstone or sandpaper and move it back and forth in a circular motion. Be careful not to press too hard, or you could damage the axe head.

Once you have sharpened your axe, you can test it again to make sure it is sharp enough. If the axe is still not sharp enough, you can repeat the sharpening process.

Sharpening Stone Types	Grit	Purpose
Arkansas stone	Fine to extra-fine	Finishing and polishing
Oilstone	Medium to coarse	General sharpening
Sandpaper	Varies	Quick and easy sharpening

Once your axe is sharp, you can use it to cut wood, build shelters, and make other tools.