I made a clone of my personal customized Rinaldi "Milano" pattern axe, with a 24" straight-grained beech handle. It's a traditional woodworking pattern, somewhat akin to a more rugged version of a broad hatchet. At this length it's able to chop and split very nicely while still being nimble enough for crafting work. The original handle is included, so you can swap back and forth between them at will.
I just keep looking at this darn thing on your website. I need another axe like..........I need another axe.
@FortyTwoBlades -- Is this a "one off" offer with the dual handles (in other words a one and only) or will you fab it on demand as ordered?
One-off. Takes a fair amount of work to do them and being able to do them depends on availability of both time and materials, neither of which are reliably on-hand. In other words, it might not necessarily be the only one I do ever but it's definitely going to be few and far between.
@FortyTwoBlades -- Thanks for the information. I'm pretty sure I just bought it. Never been disappointed in anything from your shop. Looking forward to receiving it.
My Rinaldi arrived on Thursday and this is the first chance I've had to play with it. But first some picture comparisons. My GB Scandinavian Forest Axe is the comp model. Lengths: GB - 25" Milano - 24" Weights: GB - 2.6 lbs Milano - 2.2 lbs I will remind you that the stock setup on the Rinaldi is with a 15 3/4" axe handle (hatchet?) This is Benjamin's custom work. Beautiful edge. The broad blade of the Milano doesn't have the mass of the GB but I really like the pattern. Poll side x side The GB has more girth in the handle. It remains to be seen how the thinner profile of the Milano works with my large hands. It is worth noting that I rarely work my axes without my leather gloves on. It might be just right. Final pic from overhead. As soon as I get a little more daylight I am heading to my woodpile to play around with the axe for awhile in the long handle configuration for now.
Still sitting in the basement tinkering around. Here is a featherstick I shaved. The edge likes a deep cut. Hard to keep it shallow. Fat feathersticks give a better burn anyway.
The Milano pattern is a traditional woodworking axe. Sort of like the Italian equivalent of a broad hatchet, but with a different shape. I've had a lot of folks get them specifically for carving purposes.
I saw the video, towards the end where you were thinning that piece of log down. I can see where it would work. That said, it seems that carving hatchets have a more rounded edge, plus, this seems a bit weighty.
Guess I was paying attention to the overall weight, of 2lbs, 1.4oz. Or is that the one with the longer handle?
I weighed it with the longer handle, but that extra handle is only worth a couple of ounces. What I don't understand is how a broad blade can be useful for carving. It seems like too much edge to me. But always willing to learn. Hey @The Warrior this thing feels very light in hand. I have been out in the yard for the last hour, before my wife called me in to help her move something. Weight is definitely not an issue. I have been wielding it with one hand, without much fatigue, even with the longer handle on it.
I just posted this video up, of carving a spoon: http://www.eseeknives.com/forums/index.php?threads/spoon-carving-with-a-hatchet.1224/