Traditional Folded Axes: An Introduction to Symmetrical Fold Technique 

This is the kind of stuff I really enjoy seeing on RU-vid. Just someone showing their skill without embellishment or excess showmanship. Also, I appreciate that you show what can be done with limited tools. Makes it less scary for beginners to try.

It's a very rare treat to see a video of something being forged completely by hand. Thank you so much for making this.

I love how, at the very end, you realized you hadn't filmed all of the steps, so you simply made a second axe that was a twin of the first one. That was brilliant!

I absolutely love this! So many of the blacksmithing videos on RU-vid are completely based on extremely expensive equipment that the vast majority of aspiring smiths probably won't ever be able to afford. It's really good to see someone showing how to do it all by hand. Thanks for that!

You have definitely become the ultimate axe maker here on RU-vid, I don’t think anyone does better videos or more on axes than you

THE WINNER IS: Unfortunately Aaron Kokesch never reached out for the axe. So the new winner is @magnusbergroth5319 If I don't hear from them in 7 days I will once again select another winner... Giveaway will end Oktober 2nd. To enter the giveaway, simply subscribe and leave a comment. The winner will be announced in this comment once selected. There are scammers out there. I will not ask you to join telegram or anything like that. Also a BIG THANKYOU to Nord Forge for the awesome forge! www.nordforge.com/produkt/sleipner/ Good luck and I will se you soon :) /Nils

I'm Danish, always been fascinated by old Norse tools and weapons. In 6th grade we were on excursion in Roskilde Denmark living like Vikings for 2 weeks. An experience I'll never forget.

These types of smithing videos are always so fascinating to me, and I think it’s because everything is done by hand I was actually a bit surprised when you mentioned you didn’t use a grinder, I didn’t even consider that part!

Всё очень наглядно и понятно даже без знания языка и переводчика, а наблюдать за отличной работой отдельное удовольствие!

It's amazing that you make two axes at different times and they look like twins. Definitely remarkable craftsmanship.

It’s good to see so many people keeping the old ways alive. Great video! Thanks!

Another beautiful polished bladed axe. I love the sharpness for performing more refined cutting work. Thank you

Love to see blacksmithing videos like this where things are so well described and thoughtfully followed through. Really makes me want to build my own forge and give it a try.

It’s so nice to learn how real craftsmen continue to use the same forging techniques used since copper and tin were smelt thousands of years ago. Nature never uses straight lines. Your ability to manipulate metals into natural ergonomic shapes is inspiring to those who follow in the footsteps of artisans embarking on such an honest profession. I offer you my respect sir.

It's always enjoyable to watch skilled craftsmen ply their trade. As a former schooled, industrial welder I do understand your procedures pertaining to heat, color, forging, and their effect on steel. Thats what interests me in watching your videos, which is very comprehensive and informative. Nice tutorial, and thanks for posting it.

Very fascinating. Have been a fan of Forged In Fire for years, but to watch someone slow build an ax, and explain what they are doing is also very interesting. Being able to see how the two steels are forge welded, how the head and handle are worked together, and the wedges to keep everything tight. Truly a fantastic video.

I just really appreciate how you convey information to beginners/novices. I also have noticed how dramatically your channel has grown and improved over the last few years. I see the work you are putting in, and I’m grateful.

When I watch an axe making video I always come to your channel, you are dedicated to the art and are extremely talented in its execution. Thanks Nils.

This has got to be the best, most informative axe forging tutorial I've seen yet. Great job! And thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Finding videos like this always makes my day, seeing how the pros use traditional techniques is just fascinating!

It is amazing how you make something so difficult look so effortless and easy. You are becoming a Master of your craft and its so encouraging.

I just love how well you explain the different steps, even someone like me without any forging experience understands what you are doing and can appriciate the work that goes into the axe.

So beautifully done. I really enjoyed seeing you shape the ends of the head before folding, so skillfully done. Finally music that compliments the video, tone of voice and cadence. Well enjoyable. Thank you!

Beautiful work, but what I really appreciate is that there was little or no wasted effort in your shaping of the axehead. Totally glad I found your channel.

Skilled craftsmanship as always Nils. I love the little high carbon insert idea before fire welding

A pleasure to watch you work as always. You and a few others on RU-vid have inspired me to get into blacksmithing with your videos and teaching. Keep doing the amazing work!!!

Thank you for including so much information concerning materials and the processes that you use as you forge and work. The knowledge that you share give all of us in the blacksmithing world the opportunity to improve. Your encouraging comments also give the less practiced of us more courage to try new methods and I for one appreciate it. Thanks again.

I'm constantly amazed by the quality of your work. Thank you, I've learned a lot from you.

Härligt att se en yxa gjord för hand på detta sätt! Tack för en verkligen inspirerande video. 👍👌

One of the best tutorials ive seen on youtube. The effort of making the axe was well worth it.

I've just started on my journey with blacksmithing, and watching a practiced hand at work is absolutely mindblowing. Great stuff, well worth a sub.

I love to see things like this done by hand. The patience required for the process, especially finishing work, is something I struggle with. I rely too much on power tools in my desire to complete projects of my own. That said, with all the hours you've put into your craft, I have no doubt you love what you do, and it shows in the excellent work produced. I'm glad Mr. Ahman's videos brought me to your channel.

Glad I found this channel. As an aspiring knife/ax smith, this has been very helpful.

So nicely done. A real crafts-man. I appreciated how deceptively simple you made that seem. Thank you.

The forge looks to be very efficient and well built. The steps and production of the video is great too. I appreciate the steps so I can go back and see the steps I need to work again. You’ve kept the process simple and easy to understand.

Thank you for making another tutorial, your folded axe looks awesome. As a novice who hasn't forge welded yet, I see folded axes as the true gauge of a good blacksmith. Thanks again for your inspiring videos and I look forward to the next one.

Thanks for all the awesome content! Also thanks for sharing your forging talent and for taking us with you on your blacksmithing journey! The axe in this episode looks fantastic. I would be proud to be it's new owner!

This is a gem of an axe. Beautiful forging. I have always wanted to learn smithing. I hope whomever wins your contest, they really appreciate the work and soul that I'm sure goes into each and every piece you create. Thank you for this video, God Bless.

I appreciate how educational this video really is. A lot of times it’s hard to understand certain steps that are shown because the explanation is poor or the set up steps are missing, but this video really helped to answer a lot of my questions. Thanks!

fantastic video yet again Nils, you truly are becoming one of the great traditional axe makers in the world!

Beautiful axe! I appreciate seeing the entire process done by hand, without machines that I couldn’t possibly set up in my garage. This way I can at least dream about doing similar projects myself. 😊

This is the first fully hand-forged axe I’ve seen. I am totally impressed with your explanation of the process and reasons for doing each step. Amazing video and axe! Thanks for your content.

Great camera work and exceptional job explaining the steps required. Doing everything by hand and no power tools is a nice touch.

This is super cool! The mix of pine tar, linseed and turpentine sounds like a secret you gave us there!! Thanks for that!! 🙏

Thanks for showing this technique. I've been blacksmithing as a hobby for a couple years and made a dozen or so knives. I have been wanting to try making an axe, but afraid of drifting an eye with my tools and skill level. This technique however is something I can do, so you have inspired me to forge an axe this winter. Thank you for making content like this, I look forward to seeing more.

I have watched a lot of videos, and the thoroughness of instruction, and the simplicity of explanations makes this video one that be beginners, and/or more accomplished, Blacksmith cannot only relate to, but learn from.

Love the video, as a blacksmith woodworker and and historic enthusiast i really appreciate the authenticity of the process, nice videography skills too! Bravo

beautiful work as always!

This is so interesting to watch! I was very lucky to go to a community college in Minnesota that offered glass blowing courses... That was fun but it was also very stressful because of the constant urgency and risk of breaking and shattering. It might be fun to go into hobbyist blacksmithing instead: sturdier materials, and while I'm sure it comes with its own appropriate times for urgency, maybe it wouldn't be quite as much? In any case, this video was wonderful. I'm a subscriber now so I'll voraciously consume more blacksmithing content. Thank you for being here!

Your work is meticulous and artful, showing great respect for traditional methods and values. I wish you well deserved success in your smithing trade.

Giveaway is probably already over, but right now I don't actually care. Craftmanship videos like this are just so fascinating and learning (sort of) how to do these things is such a cool thing. I wish I had the time, tools, skills and money to do things like this myself but life being as it is, that's just not likely. That said, this is a great next best thing. Thank you for showing us all how it's done!

Amazing axe, I was actually considering getting myself an axe like this as a camp/survival axe, the kind that can also be used kinda like a knife, and you sure as hell got that one razor sharp!

Älskar dina videor, sluta aldrig med det du gör!!!

Thank you for stopping and explaining your process in forging your axe. Very nice-looking axe.

Amazing! My four year old kid loves watching this video! Great craftsmanship, and it's super inspiring to watch. This is what the internet is for--and you nailed it...er...really hammered it home. :)

Well I better leave a comment so then I’ll have a chance of getting a beautiful axe

This was the first video of yours that I've watched, and I'm now a new subscriber! Great stuff - I really appreciate your informative descriptions of each step of the process.

Nils, from the states here, great work on the axe!

Great instructional video. The pace, sound, technique awesome. I liked the carbon steel wedge near the eye to help weld. Thanks

Thank you for the step-by-step instructions/demonstration. Not only are your axes great tools, they are pleasing to the eye.

I have a lot of respect for your amazing craftsmanship and patience. The one compliments the other without a doubt !

Been pipe welder for 40 years enjoyed your craftsmanship! Good job Richard/ welder

Beautiful, lovely result but more importantly a great instructional and inspirational video.

That pic of Arnold in the background is just raw focus and determination. I can see why you’d keep it around your work shop. Incredible take! And a beautiful axe, such a good job

I love how you simply drop "Welp I made two because I missed filming some steps" I wish more channels were that dedicated! I have this dream of having my own forge once I move to Sweden, and these videos are holding me over 😄

Such a beautiful piece. Thanks for showing us how it's done.

I like that you show what you're doing as well as describe why you are doing it.

There is something very cathartic about this art, and it seeps right into me like the warmth of the hearth on a cold winter night. Thank you!

Love getting back to the basics. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful work! A real joy to watch. Thank you x.

I appreciate the ingenuity and skill you display using only hand crafting techniques, partilarly in this modern era. Also appreciate your descriptions of process and principles behind why you do what you do. I'm a wood crafter by trade and particularly respect hand crafting. The touch of the master's hand shows. Well done mate. Subscribing and look forward to more.

I love watching the workmanship of metal forging especially when done without power tools, seeing the skill and time put into making a piece like this teaches me to appreciate and respect the tools I have.

Been hospitalised for 3 weeks so watched a lot of youtube. This is one of the best. I now want a forge, anvil, lathe and belt grinder. The wife is not happy.

This was an amazing watch, the sheer patience involved is incredible. I laude your craftsmanship sir. Crazy to think the axe will outlive you. Id be honored to give it a good home.

Excellent work! Beautiful process

Its wonderful to see a skilled craftsman at work, I love seeing the final object take shape. I have seen this type of axe in museums many times, and its great to see how they were made. Thank you!

Lovely craftsmanship as always!

I love the fact that you made the axe from start to finish by hand great workmanship.

Thanks for doing these videos with the process all by hand as a beginner blacksmith in a small community forge it shows me how I could possibly do it myself and I really appreciate it

Wow! A true work of art! Incredible skills and detailed step by step instruction. . .THE BEST! Greetings from Texas!

Fire, steel and wood; there's something so natural and magnificent about the whole process! Beautifully made and remarkable! I've always considered the tool to be the interface between the work and the man. I can only imagine what it would be like to chop wood with such a fine tool! Thank you for the wonderful video, it's simply a treasure!

Great instruction for those of us who have no power hammers or a huge shop full of tools. This is a video that I can try to duplicate with what I have.

Awesome job explaining every step

It's a pleasure to watch a craftsman at work. Thanks for the video!

Beautiful how it evolves, especially the addition of the edge steel!

Beautiful stuff mate. Really enjoyed that. I'm in the process of getting together the equipment to begin blacksmithing this year, it's been a dream for a long time and this is my year. Really enjoy the content that artisans like you produce, learning so much.

Amazing job... Glad someone can still do it all by hand!!

Another outstanding display of craftsmanship.

Thank you for uploading things like this. Im not lucky enough to have the space for a work shop and anvil but i love still learning different methods. The lovely people that upload these things to youtube allow me to still learn

Love seeing craftsman showing off their skills! Supreme work!

Really enjoyed this video. I learn a little more forging every day. Thanks!

The best folded axe vid I have seen on youtube so far. You use different parts of the anvil so naturally it inspires me to get off my behind and get my gear set up properly. Thanks for the great vid 👌

This is an incredible video! You were in my recommended, and I love this!

Hey, I just found your channel tonight, and I've been hooked on all of these videos. You're very inspiring, and I agree with one of the other comments I saw, seeing how you use limited tools really helps beginners like myself, and it gives me hope to know that it doesnt have to be a two year commitment just to make my own axe, I'm looking forward to more of your videos!

What an inspiring video you have created. I am just a student of forging. Have made couple of puukko’s and thinking about making of an axe. And you just show me that it is totally possible without many heavy machines, just with hammer, anvil and forge! This is like dry wood to fire for my dreams… Thank you very much for such an inspiring content!

This was my first time watching your video and it relaxed me so much. I witnessed the excellent craftsman making a piece of art. Keep the good work!

This is the first video of yours I've seen but this was so entertaining I definitely want to see more.

This is astounding craftsmanship. So amazing to see how an axe head is made.

Seeing the forging without the use of power hammers is amazing. Not all of us can afford those and must rely on hand work for most of what we do. Thanks for the step by step process.

Love the video, nothing like seeing skilled work from a professional, and so clearly explained as well!!