Hessian Axe

[HellGhost]

OK I just got this prop Factory-x.
Anyone else feel this item could use some love? I mean the thing is HEAVY, an normally I would not be one to complain about this but its balance feels way off. It seems like the whole front of the head needs to be about 1/2 as thick... and the cast marks are just lame..AND is black not a nice silver like I remember in the movie. The handle it feels like its made of pine..I think Its should be remade in Maple.

Anyone have thoughts on this or tried any of this?

 

[PHArchivist]

OK I just got this prop Factory-x.
Anyone else feel this item could use some love? I mean the thing is HEAVY, an normally I would not be one to complain about this but its balance feels way off. It seems like the whole front of the head needs to be about 1/2 as thick... and the cast marks are just lame..AND is black not a nice silver like I remember in the movie. The handle it feels like its made of pine..I think Its should be remade in Maple.

Anyone have thoughts on this or tried any of this?

I was mildly accepting of the axe, and deeply disappointed with the sword.

Everything you stated is correct. The lighter colored marks on the handle throw it off too. I stained the handle of mine with a walnut stain, and I added silver paint about 1/2 back from the blade edge.

 

[outlander]

Hellghost:

I need your eMail address in order to send you photos.

Jeff A. Simon
outlander@comcast.net
586-260-5072

 

[HellGhost]

I'm going to hit mine with a grinder I think. The metal can be reshaped, and I'm sure I can find a good Pick-ax handle and just flip it so i can cut out the correct shape on the bottom.

I was mildly accepting of the axe, and deeply disappointed with the sword.

Everything you stated is correct. The lighter colored marks on the handle throw it off too. I stained the handle of mine with a walnut stain, and I added silver paint about 1/2 back from the blade edge.

 

[HellGhost]

OK

After picking this Axe up 100 times and each time being more and more disappointed I said F$(# it.

so here are some images after about 1 1/2 hour grinding and filing. its getting close so I thought I post a progress photo.
I am MUCH MUCH more happy with it so far!! it feels like a real axe and the profile is correct to the axe now!! YAYA me!

I was mildly accepting of the axe, and deeply disappointed with the sword.

Everything you stated is correct. The lighter colored marks on the handle throw it off too. I stained the handle of mine with a walnut stain, and I added silver paint about 1/2 back from the blade edge.

 

[allosaur176]

looks awesome!!!

 

[HellGhost]

It's kind of funny my workshop floor is covered with a thick layer of metal I mean thick! I have removed about 1/2 of the thickness of the blade...

 

[PHArchivist]

It's kind of funny my workshop floor is covered with a thick layer of metal I mean thick! I have removed about 1/2 of the thickness of the blade...

WOW! Post more pics as you go!

 

[HellGhost]

OK so here most of the roughing in is done I just drooped it back on the handle to show it so ppl would have a reference. I am way happy with it. you can actually pick it up now and it has a very real look to it
It has the correct curve on the bottom now and I got rid of the stupid ridge. Its 1/2 as thick and tapers as it should toward the back. I kept the ridge in the top even though the ridge on the top is not screen accurate but I kinda like it...
I still need to get all the detail in it and polish it a bit :thumbsup

WOW! Post more pics as you go!

 

[BlindSquirrel]

Any chance you have a "before" picture? I'm not familiar with the replica.

That being said, it's looking good! :thumbsup

 

[HellGhost]

I should have been smart and done that I even thought about it...the big difference is the curve on the bottom and the thickness this image doesn't show how much I thinned it out too well. maybe PHArchivist can take a few photo's??
Here is a stock image...
here is a link to the real one
http://www.yourprops.com/view_item.php?movie_prop=9705

Any chance you have a "before" picture? I'm not familiar with the replica.

That being said, it's looking good! :thumbsup

 

[franz bolo]

Great Job!! Is the original pretty tough?

Do you think it can be thrown without breaking?

thanks

FB

 

[PHArchivist]

:confused :confused :confused That's it! Im sending you MINE!

OK so here most of the roughing in is done I just drooped it back on the handle to show it so ppl would have a reference. I am way happy with it. you can actually pick it up now and it has a very real look to it
It has the correct curve on the bottom now and I got rid of the stupid ridge. Its 1/2 as thick and tapers as it should toward the back. I kept the ridge in the top even though the ridge on the top is not screen accurate but I kinda like it...
I still need to get all the detail in it and polish it a bit :thumbsup

 

[HellGhost]

Dude this thing with out grinding it down would be imposable to throw. The thing weighed about 7 pounds. I don't think you'd break the steel, but the handle you would. Its a more like a battle axe, the blade it about 9" by 9". And the handle is this cheap bug eaten pine stuff. I'd also say the metal while its some kind of steel its really soft. I only used up one grinding wheel to shape it. I'm going to try to temper it after I get it smooth.
I'm going to do the handle tomorrow.

 

[PHArchivist]

I'm presuming you have some metal working experience...

 

[HellGhost]

Hmm yea I actually use to make plate mail armor (long time ago) yes someone gets paid to do this...BUT this is really not that tough. Just remember the metal working rule its easy to take away and very difficult to put it back. As long as you work slow, really anyone can do this. Keep the grinder moving, and stop early. Use a ******* file to smooth it out it will get rid of your high and low spots.

I just changed the profile to make the bottom curve more accurate and now I'm off to polish

 

[outlander]

Looks great, HellGhost. It stinks not remembering to take before pictures until it's too late. Enthusiasm to get started on a project and all that. I've done it also, I suppose it's a good habit that you have to develope.

JAS

 

[HellGhost]

So I could not find a pre-made axe handle that would even come close...SOOO I bought a plank of Ash wood and shaped this by hand...this was a PITA but I am happy I just need to stain the wood and I'm Good to go I think I need to change the bottom of the handle a little :rolleyes

Looks great, HellGhost. It stinks not remembering to take before pictures until it's too late. Enthusiasm to get started on a project and all that. I've done it also, I suppose it's a good habit that you have to develope.

JAS

 

[PHArchivist]

Basically re-building the whole thing! Well done...