Finnish/Earlier Scandi axes - Kirves

The diminutive model Kirves do a great job on medium to small kindling and chores. Rafting axes always do what rafting axes do. A little PNW flavor with Suomi hints. Camp combo.
Zig Zag up Mt.Hood this weekend.


Kellokoski.15.2


Kellokoski.15.2


Kellokoski.15.2


Kellokoski.15.2

 

Thanks John, that one is about 16".

 

Thank you Bob. I saw that one and was curious as well.

I'm endeavoring to make a handle for this larger piilu kirves but I need to cut my wood to length with 10-15% excess. Based off pictures from listings, Finnish forums, videos, and the example I have of a smaller one here, I am thinking the overall length is approximately, more or less, 2.5x-3x the length of the head’s collar to handle.

The smaller one measures 7.5” from eye to the end of the collar. That would be 22.5” but actual length is 23” – pretty close to the 3X estimate.

The bigger one is 10.5” (with collar reduced from previous beatings and then a fix via hand filing). Given that the proportions of the heads’ builds are more or less the same in regards to scale, should the larger one’s handle be roughly 31.5” finished? Maybe an inch or two shorter? (The 10-15% previously mentioned "excess" being the tongue, swell, or both in reduction).

Gauging.piilus

They seem like tools that are used fairly close to a guy’s body, with the right hand up on/near the collar and the left hand on the neck/swell to essentially pull into the work or maintain the head in line with the surface being planed – assuming you are right handed but since there is no offset so then it is essentially the same for either propensity.

 

More of a handle than last night.
Jigsaw then draw knife to clean it up a and knock down the edges. 30"

Big.piilu

 

Just an update.
Definitely a learning curve is involved with these. I'm sure the second one will go quicker.
Draw knife, Spoke shave, and Shinto saw Rasp to this point.

Big.piilu

 

They are definitely interesting in form and history for sure. Also, they seem more available now than they have been in the last several years.

 

Big.piilu

I suppose cost and expense are different. I’m enjoying learning to hang the socket style and have used the smaller, more general purpose ones with success.

“Jokainen elää vain yhden kerran”

 

I would say no*

That is an Estonian market test.

*adds to cart... lol

 

I tried my damnedest to not seat this thing beyond pushing it in there by hand but it won’t come out now without messing up the tongue. Couple of beers and knocking it once lightly on the bench set it on there pretty well.

Probably should be happy that it’s hung but it poses a problem for shipping to the Leather Master now lol.

I know some are probably “Kirves Fatigued” with these travails but I’ve tried to contain it...

Big.piilu

Still needs work.

 

@John A. Larsen
John Larsen got ahold of me and sent some pictures of a beautiful new kirves of his.
(with his permission, of course)
Kellokoski:







Ohhhh, that is what they look like with the bit intact lol.
SA -Suomalainen Armeija
P – Pioneeri