The Celtic Axe
pics by Walter Wall
The Axe started as a 1990 Softail FXSTC: “Over the years it’s had a few different changes,” said Richard, its Irish owner. “Then about a year ago I read an advert in Ozbike for Anderson's Custom Cycles and decided to visit Chris Anderson for a set of big heavy handlebars. You can see what it’s developed into.”
“I've always been interested in Celtic art and weaponry. The axe was the only weapon that looked offensive and actually worked with the rear guard. The axe was actually built in steel; it’s not just painted on. What Chris did was build the axe using wire rolled into the correct shape, then he welded sheet metal over the top to get the appearance that it actually is a real axe.”
Stuart from Ultimate Air Brush painted the whole thing: “I told Stuart I wanted the axe to look like it had been used, battered and worn, to look like old armour. He was only given one instruction—no flames and no skulls ’cause I thought that had been well and truly done by everyone. He still managed to get two skulls on—one on the front guard and one on the rear guard.”