Learn to forge the quintessential tool of the North Woods. This tool packs big results in a little package: the size of this axe lends itself to be easily portaged yet has enough weight to handle any camp chore. This axe will be constructed out of a single solid piece of 5160 high carbon tool steel and will feature a hardened hammer tail and a differential heat treatment. Students will learn to cut the eye open for the handle, forge the steel head into shape, heat-treat the blade and hammer ends to a suitable hardness, sharpen the blade and attach a hickory handle. Prior enrollment in an entry-level blacksmithing course is highly recommended.

You will need the following tools for this class:

• leather gloves
• jeans
• cotton shirts (no nylon clothing)
• leather shoes
• clothing comfortable to outdoors-in

• safety glasses
• ear protection
• your favorite blacksmithing hammer (non claw types - 1-3lb hammer)
• good file for steel
• tongs or over-sized pliers
• steel punch
• steel chisels
• vice grips
• channel locks
• ball-peen hammer(s) and/or heads to be modified into a suitable blacksmithing hammer
• any hammer heads that you'd like to use (non-claw)
• camera
• 4.5" grinder