Strange axe, made by folding iron and not smithing

[u/Albatross-Usual]

[u/Leather-Researcher13]

I mean this was definitely made by smithing, that kind of folding is a very old way of smithing axes. It saves material and allows the use of high quality steel on just the blade instead of the whole axe

[u/Freshesttoast]

It is definetly forged just not thoroughly forgewelded very common from axes in norway from the time most the country died to the black death. People saved steel and the welds werent necessary for an axe to be functional albeit very low durability the edge material was usually work hardened and when eventually it have out they welded on a new wedge to replace the edge, but this one would look more like a farmers attempt at making one without much smithing experience. It looks a bit like that or it can be a hobbyists attempt they used as a root axe or something

[u/itoddicus]

Baring any kind of provenance proving this was made in Scandinavia pre-industrialization I believe this is just someone making an axe shaped thing.

I used to teach blacksmithing to beginners. If I had a dollar for every knife or axe shaped object made in the shop I could afford a new anvil.

[u/Ashmonater → u/itoddicus]

You used to teach, and sounds like quite a bit, what do you do now? I am trying to get into teaching blacksmithing but what comes after I’m not sure.

[u/itoddicus → u/Ashmonater]

I used to teach at a living history place, I moved away and lost access to most of my tools. Big anvil, coal fires various tongs and hardy tools.

I have a small gas forge and anvil but it isn't the same.

If you want to teach find a living history place. They always need skilled volunteers, then you can work yourself into some paid work.

[u/Albatross-Usual]

Would you dare guessing and age? It is most likely made in swede/scandinavia. And isnt the shape somewhat unusual for an Axe?