Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
period edge tool. I have tried to note that weld line with a white chalk pencil
(Fig. 31). The blades on this brick axe are remarkably thin: about 3/16 inch
(4 mm) thick in the middle and thinning toward the edges. The edge pieces -
presumablya medium to high carbon steel - were likely added while the blade
stock was heaviest then drawn out thinner with the rest of the blade.
Figure 31
Close up of the edge of
Brick Axe A showing the
welded pieces across the
cutting edge. (Courtesy
of Jay Close)
The steeling or lining of the opposite blade is much less evident. The car-
bon content of the steel does, however, cause it to oxidize a bit differently than
wrought iron. It often looks a little darker in colour and frequently is more
heavily pitted with rust. There is something about the carbon in the steel that
makes molecular chinks in the armour where oxidation can begin. I think
there is some of both indications on this blade.
An interesting construction detail of this brick axe is that the grip seems to
have been forged from a different piece of iron than that of the two blades.
This is indicated by a clear, nearly circular weld line at the base of one of
the blades: it seems that the handle material was lapped, or perhaps slit and
pinched onto the blade stock and forged in place.
The other blade also shows evidence of this construction. Here the lap is
clearer because the weld was less thorough - although certainly good enough
to withstand use in the field. There is also a flaw in the material (perhaps a
slag pocket) that has cracked and peeled-up in use. That flaw may even have
been evident at the time of manufacture. (I can almost hear the smith swear-
ing under his breath about the poor quality of iron 'nowadays'.)
