My Tennessee Stone Ax Head... found in 95'

[Limitool]

Well I'm calling it an ax head but I totally admit I most certainly am no expert. When I was asked this morning on the other ax head thread to go find it... I did. And when I did I remembered where I found it. I found the stone I mentioned in the other ax head thread in yard but this one was back at the cave I discovered in 94'.

If this is an ax head it appears to have hit something and chipped the leading edge. There was many artifacts lying around the mouth of the cave and up and down the ridge it was on. I posted many stories and pics of this cave long ago here on Tnet. My avatar is of one of the mud mounds within the cave.

But what do you folks think.... is this an ax head you think? And if so any idea who made or possibly how old...?

AX 1 Shows leading edge chipped.
AX 2 Lying on one side
AX 3 Lying on other side
AX 4 Top view

 

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[Jatrox]

Maybe like this?

Make a Hafted Stone Axe

A hand axe, like the one pictured below, will work fine for cutting down small trees. In fact, the hand axe worked so well that it was man’s most advanced tool for about 200,000 years. But, …

sensiblesurvival.org

 

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[Limitool]

I may be mistaken, but that photo looks more like a ten dollar bill, with a rock paperweight holding it from blowing away in the wind.

Great observation sir. I hadn't seen that till it was pointed out... It (bill) appears to have gone missing now....? Probably the wind. But thank you.

 

[Limitool]

Maybe like this?

Make a Hafted Stone Axe

A hand axe, like the one pictured below, will work fine for cutting down small trees. In fact, the hand axe worked so well that it was man’s most advanced tool for about 200,000 years. But, …

sensiblesurvival.org

That is along the line I was envisioning also... Thank you.

 

[Limitool]

Ok folks I'm requesting a little input here with some suggestions please. I have never made a handle for something like mounting this stone. Yesterday I glued a couple of boards together for a first try. This board is now plenty large to plane, cut and shape down to any size I desire.

Robertk provided a website link for sinew and rawhide to mount the stone onto it's new handle (thanks Robert). Here's what I'd like a little input with....

1. I'm using pine for the handle. Not the best I know but I have a lot of it. And this handle will NOT BE USED so it's going to be all show and a no-go item. And I know how to distress it to look much older when it's done.
A. Make it a 100% straight handle?
B. Put a slight curve into the handle like a long-gated stretched out "S"?
C. How long? The piece of stock is now about 20" starting off. I'm thinking 16"-18" OVERALL.

2. Does anybody know how to properly use sinew and/or rawhide to mount this stone to its new handle.? I mean all the proper steps to take when using sinew or rawhide? Which would be easier or best to use?

After cutting handle to its rough shape I'll round all corners to fit a hand comfortably regardless of ending shape. The top / stone end will be a little beefier and I'll cut a slut for the stone to fit tight. I'll leave about 1" extra above stone to attach / wrap the sinew or rawhide too. All external corners will be 100% rounded over at the stone end also.

I'm just looking for some insight and opinions on how to approach this. I have no experience to draw from on this project. So any thoughts.... PLEASE SHARE.... Thanks, Brad

 

[robertk]

I’m not sure of the rules on linking other forums here, but if you search “hafting stone knives with sinew”, you will get plenty of links about it. The really old school way is real sinew that you chew briefly to moisten and soften, then wrap tightly and let it dry.

 

[Limitool]

I’m not sure of the rules on linking other forums here, but if you search “hafting stone knives with sinew”, you will get plenty of links about it. The really old school way is real sinew that you chew briefly to moisten and soften, then wrap tightly and let it dry.

Thanks Robert.... I checked out the link from your PM and saw the sinew you referenced. But what I don't understand is they come in 12-14" lengths. Do ya think a couple of them would be enough to do the job..? $21.00 for each length also...? I'm not so worried about the $$$$ but how to attach them to the "new" handle. Very small tacks? How would mankind do it (attach them) back in the day....? I actually have pin staplers also that might do the job also...? I'll goggle your suggestion in awhile. I'm going out to shop for awhile to whittle on this piece of wood... Stay tuned all.

ANYBODY KNOW...?

 

[Relicgrubber]

Ok folks I'm requesting a little input here with some suggestions please. I have never made a handle for something like mounting this stone. Yesterday I glued a couple of boards together for a first try. This board is now plenty large to plane, cut and shape down to any size I desire.

Robertk provided a website link for sinew and rawhide to mount the stone onto it's new handle (thanks Robert). Here's what I'd like a little input with....

1. I'm using pine for the handle. Not the best I know but I have a lot of it. And this handle will NOT BE USED so it's going to be all show and a no-go item. And I know how to distress it to look much older when it's done.
A. Make it a 100% straight handle?
B. Put a slight curve into the handle like a long-gated stretched out "S"?
C. How long? The piece of stock is now about 20" starting off. I'm thinking 16"-18" OVERALL.

2. Does anybody know how to properly use sinew and/or rawhide to mount this stone to its new handle.? I mean all the proper steps to take when using sinew or rawhide? Which would be easier or best to use?

After cutting handle to its rough shape I'll round all corners to fit a hand comfortably regardless of ending shape. The top / stone end will be a little beefier and I'll cut a slut for the stone to fit tight. I'll leave about 1" extra above stone to attach / wrap the sinew or rawhide too. All external corners will be 100% rounded over at the stone end also.

I'm just looking for some insight and opinions on how to approach this. I have no experience to draw from on this project. So any thoughts.... PLEASE SHARE.... Thanks, Brad

IMO... Leave it alone Brad.

I have (8) 3/4 grove Axes heads and (3) Celts/Adze(s) and sit on my Artifact shelf above my Scopes...

 

[robertk]

but how to attach them to the "new" handle. Very small tacks? How would mankind do it (attach them) back in the day....?

You shouldn't really need to attach it, just wrap it around on itself and the tension will hold it. If that doesn't work, maybe just pinch the end of it in against the stone?

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

YES... I'm trying to figure out how to approach this correctly. I'm a woodworker, have lot's of tools but mounting this doesn't realistically require that approach.

So any suggestions from you all would be greatly appreciated....!!!

Stainless shaft with Hi-viz neoprene handle pad lashed to the head with carbon fiber. Juxtapose the technologies of then v now.

 

[Jatrox]

Real sinew is best/strongest. I have a spool of synthetic sinew which is easy to use and looks pretty real but it's not very strong. It's good for your situation where it's just for looks. And it's a spool so you can wrap to your hearts delight. Tie it to the handle where the knot will be covered with the wrapping of the sinew. Handle design is whatever pleases you. There is no right or wrong or set way that they were made. A bit of a curve would be aesthetically pleasing

 

[Limitool]

Thanks Robertk and Jatrox... I think I'm going to finish this 1st attempt at a handle and then attempt how best too attach rock to it with the sinew.

 

[Limitool]

Well folks here's my 1st attempt at a handle to mount this fully grooved rock. I truly had no idea on how to approach this properly. So I documented some of the process. I was happy with the handle right up to distressing it. After that I stained it and I didn't like how dark it was. I wished I had used a light color and I had it also. Then I thought I'd seal the wood with a coat of poly. That too I believe was a mistake. But the actual stone fits GREAT into the handle. But it is what it is now. I bought a spool of intimation sinew to use. So I wrapped the stone onto the handle and believe me this tool is very functional. Since I wasn't fond of the woods shade along w/poly I took the "liberty" to wrap the handle with some sinew and attached 3 turkey feathers at the base. So here's my wall hanger now and it was a fun little project. Now I got one Robert...!

 

[robertk]

Well folks here's my 1st attempt at a handle to mount this fully grooved rock.

I like it! The turkey feather embellishment is a nice touch!

 

[Up-North]

Do as you will. Attaching a ancient artifact to a modern made handle makes zero sense.

 

[robertk]

Attaching a ancient artifact to a modern made handle makes zero sense.

Do you have a supplier of ancient handles?

 

[Older The Better]

Not too bad, do you not like the gloss on the poly? You can always take the shine off a poly with some fine steel wool and a matte finish. I’m partial to polycrilic it’s water cleanup dries very fast and doesn’t yellow over time

 

[Limitool]

Not too bad, do you not like the gloss on the poly? You can always take the shine off a poly with some fine steel wool and a matte finish. I’m partial to polycrilic it’s water cleanup dries very fast and doesn’t yellow over time

Yep... that's it. And the shade I chose. I know I can dim the shine easily and probably will before putting on wall.

Do as you will. Attaching a ancient artifact to a modern made handle makes zero sense.

Maybe.... but didn't ancient man do exactly the same thing in some shape or form...? I don't believe any templates are available to chose from. I'm sure they didn't groove the rock and then put on a shelf.

 

[CreekSide]

Well folks here's my 1st attempt at a handle to mount this fully grooved rock. I truly had no idea on how to approach this properly. So I documented some of the process. I was happy with the handle right up to distressing it. After that I stained it and I didn't like how dark it was. I wished I had used a light color and I had it also. Then I thought I'd seal the wood with a coat of poly. That too I believe was a mistake. But the actual stone fits GREAT into the handle. But it is what it is now. I bought a spool of intimation sinew to use. So I wrapped the stone onto the handle and believe me this tool is very functional. Since I wasn't fond of the woods shade along w/poly I took the "liberty" to wrap the handle with some sinew and attached 3 turkey feathers at the base. So here's my wall hanger now and it was a fun little project. Now I got one Robert...!

I wasn’t keen on the idea at first and I wouldn’t do it to one on my Celts I’ve found. But I have to admit that came out very well

 

[russau]

I have an idea. Add handle. Build a nice display at just inside the end of your driveway facing the road. 'Sure I have a .44 mag, but that is just to slow you down. I like to finish the job with primitive hand tools like this one' ...

Not too many creepers will be coming up to the house

Prolly no one will steal it.

I love that idea ! and I would love to see a video of their face when they read your sign !

 

[Limitool]

I wasn’t keen on the idea at first and I wouldn’t do it to one on my Celts I’ve found. But I have to admit that came out very well

Thanks CreekSide... Like all 1st time projects if you had to do over again you'd do a better job. This is one of those. Yes some liberties were taken but I had no templates to go by so I just shot from the hip. I believe it came out good enough to be a wall hanger near my pool table and a couple of bucks hanging on the wall.