This hand-forged Trade Axe from Elmer Roush features a hybrid hand-forged head patterned after 18th-century trade axes that were traded with the Native Americans in the NE American colonies. The design is patterned after Native American spike tomahawks, usually characterized by a generally straight handle or pole with a smaller edge and opposite end spike. The head has a mild steel body with a high carbon edge forged into it for maximum strength at the edge. The head is smaller and thinner, for a very light and fast tool. The forward cheek is high cut so you can still get behind the head for finer work. The opposite end features the long, curving spike built for piercing and extending reach. The head features a patina finish with hand-filed ornamentation around the perimeter typical to what was found in the 18th century and a triangular lug, with Elmer’s makers’ marks forged in the head. This one has a hickory handle with a stained finish and a linseed oil and beeswax coating for both looks and to protect the wood. Comes with a spec card written by Elmer.
Note: Each axe is hand forged and hand-hung. These are hung in one climate, shipped to another climate, and then shipped to you. It is 100% natural for some wiggle in the head to be present after changing climates. If it goes to an area more humid than Arizona, it might firm up all on its own, or else a small amount of effort by the end user can get things locked in tight as can be. It is expected for the end-user to have to maintain an axe and handle, so don’t worry – axe users have been managing this just fine for a few (actually, a lot more than a few) thousand years, so you can too!
Each production comes with a personal handwritten note from Elmer about the item you just purchased with:
Please call for availability, since these are one-of-a-kind pieces made by hand.
