Final Artifact

I decided to create a wooden axe as a tribute to tradition and a commitment to sustainability. Wood has deep roots in human history, connecting usof to our earliest tools and shelters, and embodying a sense ancient craftsmanship and resourcefulness. Opting for wood in crafting the axe not only honours this rich history but also reflects a conscious effort towards environmental responsibility. By working with renewable materials, I align myself with principles of conservation and eco-consciousness, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources and lessening environmental impact. Crafting a wooden axe allows me to intimately engage with nature, carefully selecting each piece of wood for its unique grain and character, transforming it into a functional piece of art.

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I First Looked into many different Styles of Axes Each axe having different looks and Dynamics

1.Hatchet: A small, one-handed axe used for light chopping and splitting tasks, ideal for camping and survival situations.

2.Tomahawk: Originally a Native American weapon, it's a lightweight axe with a short handle and a pointed blade, often used for throwing or as a versatile tool.

3.Splitting Maul: A heavy, long-handled axe with a blunt, wedge-shaped head, designed for splitting wood along the grain.

4.Broad Axe: Featuring a wide, flat blade, it's primarily used for shaping and smoothing timber.

5.Adze: Resembling a hoe or a pick, it has a curved blade perpendicular to the handle, used for carving or shaping wood.

6.Battle Axe: Historically a weapon, it's a large, two-handed axe with a sharp blade on one side and a spike or hammer on the other, used in warfare.

7.Felling Axe: With a thin, sharp blade and a long handle, it's designed for cutting down trees.

8.Firefighter's Axe: Featuring a pick-like end opposite the blade, it's used by firefighters for breaching walls and doors.

9.Double-Bit Axe: Equipped with blades on both ends of the head, it offers versatility in cutting and chopping tasks.

10.Poleaxe: A medieval weapon combining an axe blade with a spear or spike, used for both cutting and thrusting in combat.

I then chose what design I wanted to make and, In this instance, I went for a tomahawk design and if I were to make a second one I would make a hatchet

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I first made a prototype of the Axe with Styrofoam to gather a sense of order when making my Axe, I realized that the handle of the axe would need to be secured safely and as tight as possible, so I designed a simple wood wedge to fit in the handle and split the wood to fill the excess gap and keep it in place, I Then moved on to making the wooden axe, I cut out all my pieces measured out all the right dimension and slotted them all together which gave me a snug fit, I then realized I had enough spare materials to make a second smaller axe, so I went along with the same process however just adjusting some of the dimension and tried to vary the different process from the first axe, Then it became time to paint, when doing test paints I wanted to get a metallic feel to the axe heads so I added different ratios of aluminum powder to black and silver paint to allow for a metallic look which worked out perfectly, for the handle I wanted it to look worn down, so I added the metallic paint to the bottom let it dry and then painted a brown wood looking color to the handle and let it dry I then used sand paper to scratch up the handles and this worked perfectly

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Skills I have Worked on And new skills Developed

1.Woodworking: You learn how to shape and carve wood effectively to create a functional tool.

2.Tool Handling: Handling tools like saws, chisels, and sanders improves your dexterity and coordination.

3.Problem-Solving: Figuring out the best way to shape the wood and assemble the parts requires problem-solving skills.

4.Attention to Detail: Ensuring the axe is properly balanced and functional hones your attention to detail.

5.Safety Awareness: Learning how to handle sharp tools safely is crucial and can be applied to various other activities.

6.Model Making: Using Styrofoam as My Prototype