View Full Version : A touch of elegance
Got this in the mail recently from Lee Reeves. I already have one with an ash handle and from experience I can tell you it's a dandy using tool. Don't let the graceful lines fool ya. Lee used osage orange to handle this one.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images9/reeves1b.jpg
Oooo that looks sweet Hoodoo, is it to be a user, how does the handle feel in the hand, it looks as it is a bit thicker than I am used to.
does that have any connection with the BRKT axe (well the one they modify)?
bambodoggy
27-01-2005, 13:30
Nice tool Hoodoo....the head looks very graceful...almost surgical even :wave:
Paganwolf
27-01-2005, 13:32
Looks a beauty mate... :biggthump
It's a handmade from the ground up by Lee Reeves. Not sure I'm going to use this one or not, as I already have one with an ash handle that I've used quite a bit. I'd say it's easily comparable to the GB mini as a chopper. Here are some shots I took of cuts I made into the edge of a 2x4. I used the Lee Reeve belt axe, the GB mini, and a reprofiled Vaughn mini hatchet. Basically I just swung as hard as I could into the edge of a 2x4. I think Lee's hatchet did pretty darn good. I know it does great in the woods and it will be featured in an article in TK magazine, prolly in September.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images9/pocketaxetest1b.jpg
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images9/pocketaxetest2b.jpg
Oooo that looks sweet Hoodoo, is it to be a user, how does the handle feel in the hand, it looks as it is a bit thicker than I am used to.
The contoured handle is incredibly comfortable to use. The swell right where you normally grab it gives you plenty of broad cushion to absorb shock while chopping. This is not something you find in an off the rack hatchet. :-)
Very nice indeed. Without meaning to sound crass... erm, expensive? :wink:
Hellz
Very nice indeed. Without meaning to sound crass... erm, expensive? :wink:
Hellz
Not cheap at $145. But perhaps for what you get, a hand forged head and sculpted handle, it comes out pretty cheap in comparison to a similarly made knife. I think someone mentioned once that Lee's Shop and his axes were once featured on French television. Functional art!
Celtic Dragon
27-01-2005, 14:45
Has Lee got a website??? The only referance I can find to him is through Knifeart.
Try here. (http://members.tripod.com/ssidders/id69.htm)
TheViking
27-01-2005, 15:16
Yeah that's a beautiful axe! :D
Celtic Dragon
27-01-2005, 15:25
Cheers Hoodoo, that is 1 seriously lovely axe, very sexy. :biggthump
That's one sexy axe! I really like his nessmuk style axe too :biggthump . We need a drool smilie for the edged tools forum!
Webley Webster
27-01-2005, 18:38
Hoodoo knows this.
I don't use axes, make me nervous, however I've always thought that is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen made by a smith.
Web
I really like his nessmuk style axe too :biggthump
See my avatar. :-)
y'alright web!
trying not to click on the link, i have a good idea of what's there......
:o):
cheers, and.
arctic hobo
27-01-2005, 20:02
:hump:
Webley Webster
27-01-2005, 20:57
Sargey
I've been trying to NOT buy one for 4 years. I have two axes I don't use and I wouldn't use this one either.
http://members.tripod.com/ssidders/418c8120.jpg
Still isn't is lovely!
Web
whitebuffalo
27-01-2005, 21:14
What lovely tools, I take it these are collected and not used.
I just checked it through my currency converter, seems very reasonable for what you get. 8 month wait though :cry:
See my avatar. :-)
I have always admired it :-) What wood is that?
I have always admired it :-) What wood is that?
Ash.
It's worth the wait.
Here's a pic of my ash-handled belt axe. This one will be in Tactical Knives.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images2/beltaxe1b.jpg
http://img168.exs.cx/img168/2681/reevesnessmuk29308ex.jpg
This Nessmuk double bit from Lee Reeves just arrived. I am awestruck. It is a beauty, sharp and feels perfect in my hand. I will be giving it a trial this weekend.
I think I need a matching single bit though.....
http://img168.exs.cx/img168/2681/reevesnessmuk29308ex.jpg
This Nessmuk double bit from Lee Reeves just arrived. I am awestruck. It is a beauty, sharp and feels perfect in my hand. I will be giving it a trial this weekend.
I think I need a matching single bit though.....
:shock: :shock: What are you trying to do to me? Thats beautiful.
CanRanger
28-01-2005, 14:49
I remember seeing your ash handled one Hoodoo at the Wolverine I think I would prefer the Osage or even a maple myself but either way both are incredible looking. The design of the handle felt comfortable in my hand.
Webley Webster
28-01-2005, 17:59
OMG the big guns Schwerts photos PLUS Lee's great work.
MUST BE STRONG.
Web(I WON't USE IT, I WON'T USE IT)
gosh it IS pretty
:shock:
Web...no way do these photos tell the whole story. These are 10 times better in person. I am probably going to order a single in FiddleBack a bit later.
I am going to see how this double handles this weekend and I have this feeling that I will be sending Lee another email.
Lee knows how a hand ax should be configured and his prices are really not bad considering.
One of my tasks this weekend was disposal of our Christmas tree....yeah I know it is February. Anyway I usually trim off the branches, compost them and then peel the trunk. I usually keep the trunk thinking I will carve it into a walking stick....so this one will join 3 other poles.... :o):
This year we hand cut a 14' Grand fir and it was still quite fresh as it had been laying in the shade and in the rain since I tossed it out the door at the beginning of January. I figured it was a decent bit of work for the new Reeves Nessmuk ax. So I trimmed the branches, most of them were around a half cm in diameter with a few up to about one cm. Nothing real hard but well pitched, and plenty of them for the trial.
http://img116.exs.cx/img116/8941/nessmukgrandfir2iw.jpg
http://img238.exs.cx/img238/2218/nessmukgrandfir24de.jpg
I used both edges and for this task, while I preferred the thinner edge, both worked well. The edge bit surely and cut cleanly with one stroke right at the base of the branch. I ran out of time before peeling the trunk, but that is left for next week. I was able to easily start a strip of bark by holding the ax head close and slicing, so I think peeling will go very smoothly. This ax handled very well and the resin cleaned up nicely with a bit of white gas off that smooth steel. I like this one.
http://img116.exs.cx/img116/5936/nessmukgrandfir31ub.jpg
For "night-wood", we cut a dozen birch and ash poles from four to six inches across, trimmed them to the tips, and dragged them to camp. Nessmuk "Our Luck" Chapter IV
Real nice, doesn't the cross-grain make it weaker?
Cheers...
bushwacker bob
15-02-2005, 00:07
Real nice, doesn't the cross-grain make it weaker?
Cheers...
It certainly makes the resistance to buy weaker :wink:
It certainly makes the resistance to buy weaker
This is indeed true. :o):
The fiddleback stripped pattern is not the alignment of the growth rings...I am not actually sure what makes those stripes but the helve is not a series of stacked growth rings, the wood fibers run the length of the helve.
Very, very nice guys, unfortunately I feel a borg moment coming on :borgsmile (resistance is futile).
However, I have a choice, food to survive or axe, axe will have to wait :cry:
Got this in the mail recently from Lee Reeves. I already have one with an ash handle and from experience I can tell you it's a dandy using tool. Don't let the graceful lines fool ya. Lee used osage orange to handle this one.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images9/reeves1b.jpg
Hoodoo, Schwert, you blokes made me do it! Posting all these pics of lovely axes. I just ordered one, osage handled hatchet :D . Only nine months to wait now :rolleyes:
Sorry Snufkin. NOT! :)
It's worth the wait. I have one of his hawks on order now. I think Schwert does too.
Too bad you missed it. I just saw one of these go on a forum. If you haunt the knife forums or ebay, ya just might pick one up. :)
Sorry Snufkin. NOT! :)
It's worth the wait. I have one of his hawks on order now. I think Schwert does too.
Too bad you missed it. I just saw one of these go on a forum. If you haunt the knife forums or ebay, ya just might pick one up. :)
I was sorely tempted by the hawk, and the nessmuk for that matter. I can see further purchases in my future :)