Lap Joint Traveler's Celt Experiment

A hafting experiment with the first-generation Traveler's Celt prototype using a simple lap joint and binding to make a handle for axe/adze/hoe use. The ideal handle is a properly bent branch or other varieties of two-piece handles like we've demonstrated in the past, but this method is quickly assembled using small-diameter wood and would work well enough to get you by until a more optimum handle could be found or made.
www.BaryonyxKnife.com

[@macmurfy2jka]

Man that makeshift axe looks like it really doesn't handle well, compared even to a tomahawk that has no pole. I'm sure after making due with that, a modern axe would be a dream to use! Looks more useful as an adze/ ulu knife/herd chopper/plain/skinning knife. Keep up the good work Ben!

[@FortyTwoBlades]

+macmurfy2jka Actually, it handles just fine despite the awkward appearance, although ideally the lap joint would have been at a more acute angle. :)
You're making a common mistake and conflating the length of the assembled parts with the balance. Socket axes balance like a "7" rather than like a "T" like a common modern American axe. Using the hand as the reference angle, the handle should describe the hypotenuse and opposite sides, with the line passing through the heel and toe of the bit forming the adjacent side.

[@macmurfy2jka]

well if you say it handles well I'll trust your judgement on this one but shouldn't the handle sweep back then, like a Francesca and put the center of gravity more in line the hand? I've used forward weighted tools before and they always seem to want to twist out of alignment in my experience. Either way, I am used to the "T" axes so I'll stick with those until I get enough time to really be in practice again... School is killer.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

+macmurfy2jka It all has to do with the bit alignment relative to the "axle" of the tool, which is defined as a straight line intersecting the grip point and the center of gravity. The axle is where the tool will naturally want to rotate because it will be in balance along that axis. So when hafting something like this, you just have to get the angle right. Here's an example of a correctly aligned replica bronze socket axe. :)
artefactualblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/socketed-axe-201508_01.jpg