How to make a Vitus axe- tutorial.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:17 am

Diagonal over straight and straight over diagonal.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:17 am

Diagonal over straight and straight over diagonal.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:18 am

Trace and cut a piece of foam 1 1/2" wide.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:21 am

Tape it on.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:22 am

Tape it up.

Thomas MacFinn · Post by **Thomas MacFinn** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:49 am

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:Tape it on.

Double sided carpet tape?

herrhauptmann · Post by **herrhauptmann** » Tue May 17, 2011 12:13 pm

Thomas MacFinn wrote:
Vitus von Atzinger wrote:Tape it on.
Double sided carpet tape?

Looks like a rolled piece of regular tape.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 1:31 pm

Keep working the place where the handle meets the head.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 1:32 pm

Taping taping taping- the stiffener piece should be almost invisible.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 1:47 pm

A finished Crecy axe.

waveicle · Post by **waveicle** » Tue May 17, 2011 2:08 pm

Vitus -

For us not in the know, could perhaps show what you did for the spear tip? Anything special here? What are your thoughts about a clacker on the hammer?

Thanks in advance,

W/D

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 2:30 pm

What spear tip? One like this?

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 2:33 pm

Oh- you mean the thrusting tip on the axe. It's just built in the old-school way; I rolled up a piece of foam and put it on with strapping tape via AS IV. The hammerhead on that Crecy axe doesn't need a clacker- trust me. It has a foam striking surface and will knock the shit out of you. Hammerhead is 1 1/4" x 1 1/4".

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 2:40 pm

Finished belt axe.

Count Johnathan · Post by **Count Johnathan** » Tue May 17, 2011 2:45 pm

Love your axes Vitus. They feel great and look superb but the foam gets chewed up almost instantly.

Is there a reason you don't cover the foam with one strip of leather as wide as the foam? That would act as a clacker of sorts and keep the foam intact for a good long while. I think that would be a great addition to an already outstanding product.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 17, 2011 2:51 pm

I have some thin stuff I could use I guess....one more step to make a weapon that I almost surely lose money on. Don't even wanna think about how much time goes into each one...

Count Johnathan · Post by **Count Johnathan** » Tue May 17, 2011 2:56 pm

Well there is that isn't there. Like most of our crafts if we want people to be able to afford them we have to almost give our time and effort away. I understand that for sure. A single strip wouldn't take much longer than taping on the foam though I wouldn't think but I don't make em so I am guessing here. They do look fantastic though sir. Great work.

JMcBrayer · Post by **JMcBrayer** » Tue May 17, 2011 6:21 pm

Also, Johnathan, keep in mind it's foam. It's $6 for a roll of camp mat and it wouldn't take any time at all to tape on another strip between bouts at a practice or before/after a battle. Foam is never going to last a super long time in our game.

benz72 · Post by **benz72** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:50 pm

Perhaps no foam and a layer or two of softer leather (suede?) would be more durable and still meet the requirements for compressability.

Not trying to tell you anything, just thinking through the keyboard. Love the axes, and I'm really impressed by the eveness of the handle. it almost looks turned on a lathe and I'm pretty sure my sanding skills aren't up to those tight tolerances. Great stuff!

Sir Omarad · Post by **Sir Omarad** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:15 am

One note guys,
The blue camping foam comes in various thicknesses.
It's not all 1/2" like it used to be.
Check it when you buy it so that you meet any regulations.

Thomas MacFinn · Post by **Thomas MacFinn** » Wed May 18, 2011 11:23 am

Wouldn't you need more than one layer if it was half an inch thick?
A half inch thick piece of foam will not compress half an inch.

Rodney · Post by **Rodney** » Wed May 18, 2011 2:00 pm

Thomas MacFinn wrote:Wouldn't you need more than one layer if it was half an inch thick?
A half inch thick piece of foam will not compress half an inch.

Correct. I lay down two layers of 1/2" blue camping mat foam. The 1" thickness now allows for a nice 1/2" compression.

Rodney · Post by **Rodney** » Wed May 18, 2011 2:06 pm

Dang, no edit button (yet).

For clarity, this is the rule that Thomas MacFinn was referencing:

SCA Marshal’s Handbook
VII. WEAPONS STANDARDS
B. Single-Handed Weapons:
3. If the weapon has a head, it shall not be constructed of solely rigid materials. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft. The head shall allow at least a 1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft.

benz72 · Post by **benz72** » Thu May 19, 2011 6:52 am

Scott H. wrote:Dang, no edit button (yet).

For clarity, this is the rule that Thomas MacFinn was referencing:
SCA Marshal’s Handbook
VII. WEAPONS STANDARDS
B. Single-Handed Weapons:
3. If the weapon has a head, it shall not be constructed of solely rigid materials. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft. The head shall allow at least a 1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft.

Yes, but note that it does not have to be foam. Even if you do use foam, it need not be contiguous. It could be layered with alternating sheets of leather to minimize shear deformation while maintaining compressibility (unless that is an unspoken requirement).

Sir Omarad · Post by **Sir Omarad** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:07 am

Scott H. wrote:
Thomas MacFinn wrote:Wouldn't you need more than one layer if it was half an inch thick?
A half inch thick piece of foam will not compress half an inch.
Correct. I lay down two layers of 1/2" blue camping mat foam. The 1" thickness now allows for a nice 1/2" compression.

2 layers is usually only 3/4".
But oit may still give you the compression you want.
I quit using the ugly blue foam. I went to General rubber and for just a few bucks more got much better foam that is black and real dimensions.

Ewen MacSuibhne · Post by **Ewen MacSuibhne** » Thu May 19, 2011 12:39 pm

Sir Omarad wrote:
Scott H. wrote:
Thomas MacFinn wrote:Wouldn't you need more than one layer if it was half an inch thick?
A half inch thick piece of foam will not compress half an inch.
Correct. I lay down two layers of 1/2" blue camping mat foam. The 1" thickness now allows for a nice 1/2" compression.
2 layers is usually only 3/4".
But oit may still give you the compression you want.
I quit using the ugly blue foam. I went to General rubber and for just a few bucks more got much better foam that is black and real dimensions.

Where do you order it from? Which type?

Sir Omarad · Post by **Sir Omarad** » Thu May 19, 2011 1:34 pm

Ewen MacSuibhne wrote: Where do you order it from? Which type?

There's one in my town.
I usually just get neoprene.

Here's the website:
http://www.generalrubberplastics.com/about.html

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Thu May 19, 2011 1:54 pm

Get me some of this foam, O.

Count Johnathan · Post by **Count Johnathan** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:06 pm

So a better foam and a strip of leather should make for a good long lasting striking surface... and raise your price a bit if you need to Vitus. You make a great product. If people really want them they won't mind paying a few extra bucks for a new and improved model. Ya get what you pay for right?

Sir Omarad · Post by **Sir Omarad** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:12 pm

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:Get me some of this foam, O.

General Rubber and Plastics
3118 South Preston Highway
Louisville, Kentucky 40213 USA
Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday -- Friday
Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Phone: 502-635-2605
Fax: 502-634-8693
Toll Free: 1-800-264-6028

Woeg · Post by **Woeg** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:25 pm

Count Johnathan wrote:So a better foam and a strip of leather should make for a good long lasting striking surface... and raise your price a bit if you need to Vitus. You make a great product. If people really want them they won't mind paying a few extra bucks for a new and improved model. Ya get what you pay for right?

Bolded for winning! Sir Vitus, these things rock socks - if you are barely breaking even, you aren't charging enough!

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Thu May 19, 2011 5:46 pm

I didn't realize that company was still there.

Chris G. · Post by **Chris G.** » Thu May 19, 2011 8:38 pm

I order stuff from General Rubber and Plastics for work, there customer service is pretty sweet. I once called in a very small but custom UHMW order that required some material cutting and modification, that had to be at the plant within 3 hours. They delivered. I think they will ship to just about anywhere, but I've never really looked into it.

Sir Omarad · Post by **Sir Omarad** » Thu May 19, 2011 10:36 pm

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:I didn't realize that company was still there.

If not, let me know and I'llpick up whatever you need.

Niall Mor · Post by **Niall Mor** » Mon May 23, 2011 12:21 am

In the past, I've had problems with people taking shots without the familiar sound of a rattan clacker. Have you had any issues with this using only foam on the striking edge?

How to make a Vitus axe- tutorial.

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