How to make a Vitus axe- tutorial.

Thomas MacFinn · Post by **Thomas MacFinn** » Mon May 23, 2011 12:30 am

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

I didn't stop, but the doors were open when I drove past there the other day.

Varukh · Post by **Varukh** » Sun May 29, 2011 1:09 pm

just finished up an axe of my own thanks to this awesome tutorial. here she is:

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue May 31, 2011 2:34 pm

Sweet!

Varukh · Post by **Varukh** » Tue May 31, 2011 3:20 pm

Thank you!

couldn't have done it without your tutorial. I'm so ready to test this baby out!

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:29 pm

finishing up on a pair of Dane Axes with the use of this tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

: 250536_1393151125592_1736602227_643511_7879856_n.jpg (58.34 KiB) Viewed 1491 times

here they are!

Gùnthaar · Post by **Gùnthaar** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:59 am

I love the look of these axes and pole weapons. When I make mass weapons I like to be able to hook shields and drag em around a bit, has anyone found any problems doing that?

Amanda M · Post by **Amanda M** » Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:28 am

I do that with my poleaxe all the time.

Rodney · Post by **Rodney** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:32 am

Hróarr wrote:I love the look of these axes and pole weapons. When I make mass weapons I like to be able to hook shields and drag em around a bit, has anyone found any problems doing that?

Here’s a photograph provided by Thomas MacFinn on page 1 of this tutorial.

I followed the instructions in this tutorial and haven't had a single problem.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:24 am

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you use plenty of layers of THIN duct tape. My early axes had only a layer of cosmetic tape, and that wasn't enough support. I now tape the living crap out of them.

Sir Omarad · Post by **Sir Omarad** » Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:34 am

Have you tried the extreme strapping tape from Home Depot yet?
It's very thin, very sticky and has criss-crossed fibers.
I can't find it on the website but the store has it.

Here's a pic from another website. Pretty sure this is what I got last time.

eidelon · Post by **eidelon** » Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:36 pm

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:It is VERY IMPORTANT that you use plenty of layers of THIN duct tape. My early axes had only a layer of cosmetic tape, and that wasn't enough support. I now tape the living crap out of them.

have you thought of or experimented with sewing the leather together fimly with gorilla glue instead of using tape? i have a few ideas on how to do this but dont really want to go over ground you have already beat to death with a stick or three.

on a side note i am assuming this would be illegal but have you tried to use the two center pieces (tang) as hardened leather? would this be legal and if so how?

Michael_of_Sternfeld · Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:02 pm

Vitus von Atzinger wrote:...Heads are made of four pieces of leather; .

Greetings! Firstly, thank you for this tutorial. I am in the process of trying to make one of these axes. I have a question about overall thickness versus the striking surface. The four layers at 1/4 inch are shy of the 1 1/4 inch thickness for a weapon. Can the body of the axe head be thinner than 1 1/4 inches? Is it only the striking surface that needs to be the 1 1/4 thickness? I guess once the striking surface is installed, the body of the axe head at 1 inch is not really accessible during a swing.

Thanks again!

Michael de Quarmby

...frequent reader, infrequent poster

Thomas MacFinn · Post by **Thomas MacFinn** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 3:57 pm

I believe you answered your own question. Handles are another place where weapons (not just axes) are frequently less that 1 1/4".

Sir Omarad · Post by **Sir Omarad** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:01 am

Any part of a weapon that could conceivably ever enter an eyeslot must be at least 1.25".
Not just while swinging, in any occurance.

Michael_of_Sternfeld wrote:
Vitus von Atzinger wrote:...Heads are made of four pieces of leather; .
Greetings! Firstly, thank you for this tutorial. I am in the process of trying to make one of these axes. I have a question about overall thickness versus the striking surface. The four layers at 1/4 inch are shy of the 1 1/4 inch thickness for a weapon. Can the body of the axe head be thinner than 1 1/4 inches? Is it only the striking surface that needs to be the 1 1/4 thickness? I guess once the striking surface is installed, the body of the axe head at 1 inch is not really accessible during a swing.

Thanks again!

Michael de Quarmby

...frequent reader, infrequent poster

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:55 am

aidanhroarsson wrote:finishing up on a pair of Dane Axes with the use of this tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

250536_1393151125592_1736602227_643511_7879856_n.jpg
here they are!

Dude, post a pic of the Jeu you did for me....

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:35 pm

This is the Jeu de la Hatche that I made for Kenwrec... Critiques are welcome....

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:36 pm

And a Happy Kenwrec!

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:41 pm

aidanhroarsson wrote:And a Happy Kenwrec!

LOL... um... I dont look so happy there... But that is a SWEEEET Jeu!!

aidanhroarsson · Post by **aidanhroarsson** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:46 pm

And Kenwrec's Bec de Corbin... I had fun building these two weapons and they came out looking great!

eidelon · Post by **eidelon** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:32 pm

thanks for the tutorial Vitus

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:42 pm

william · Post by **william** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:43 pm

aidanhroarsson wrote:This is the Jeu de la Hatche that I made for Kenwrec... Critiques are welcome....

Well, you asked for it

Overall very nice appearance - but for my taste the head is a bit too big compared to something like this:

Cheers,
William

Seonac · Post by **Seonac** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:42 am

I'm working on an axe now, using this tutorial. I'm having to use thinner pieces of leather, but I'm hoping that the effect will be the same. In the interest of science, I'll provide an update on durability/effectiveness once it is completed.

MalcolmdeMoffat · Post by **MalcolmdeMoffat** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 4:22 am

what a great tutorial. Thank you Sir Vitus...now to go make a belt axe and a "Crecy" axe for myself.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:33 pm

Bumpo

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:46 pm

Remember to read this ENTIRE thread and take notes. Remember the stiffener piece that wraps around the handle is NOT made from sole bends, but from double shoulders or a thinner piece of saddle skirting.

You could also use Rawhide as the stiffener piece. Work it wet and when it shrinks that head ain't coming off.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:37 am

Remember to tape the ever-loving crapola out of the head- using many, many layers of THIN duct tape.

IronmanDan · Post by **IronmanDan** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:14 pm

: axe.jpg (48.87 KiB) Viewed 730 times

All Done.

Ironman Dan

Thomas MacFinn · Post by **Thomas MacFinn** » Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:35 pm

IronmanDan wrote:
axe.jpg
All Done.

Ironman Dan

very cool.

LvL80Viking · Post by **LvL80Viking** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 1:38 pm

Bump lest these plans be lost forever (or just hard to find

.) I'm in the process of making one using these instructions. I'll post pics when it's finished.

olliemg · Post by **olliemg** » Thu Apr 23, 2015 12:29 am

just looking for rough guesses/averages/estimates here, but about how many heads of various sizes would come out of one of the sole bends? if it varies too much to say, thats fine too
also are there any patterns on here?

Thomas MacFinn · Post by **Thomas MacFinn** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 4:18 pm

Take some poster board, make as many patterns as you want, arrange them on the leather and rearrange as often as you like before cutting. Poster board is cheap.

Bjorn the Beardless · Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:16 am

This was an excellent tutorial and fun project the build - thank you. I will be making a Dane axe next and had an idea to lengthen the tang. I am considering making a notch that goes all the way through the handle. The tang would be much longer than discussed but only glued together the thickness of the handle. The excess unglued part could then wrap back around the handle, glued, riveted to the handle, and covered by the stiffener. I am thinking this would make an incredibly strong attachment. It would be a pain working the heavy leather but if it was creased/scored it couldn't be too difficult. Has anyone tried this before?

Tom B. · Post by **Tom B.** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:53 pm

I think you can't use rivets.
There can be no metal in the head of the weapon.

Konstantin the Red · Post by **Konstantin the Red** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 2:02 am

So you can always substitute using artificial sinew.

Erm... tang?? Not following.

Since when do Dane-axes have tangs? You mean that wrap-round-handle bit? (Lots to be said for using rawhide there.)

Yes, putting V-section scorings in the back or flesh side of the leather will allow it to fold in just fine and still be strong, since leather is remarkably tough.

So is rubber conveyor belt material.

How to make a Vitus axe- tutorial.

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