The Phantom
The Phantom
The Phantom is hand-forged in Anderson, Indiana, and pays homage to an iconic late 19th-century felling axe pattern.
Like Old Gold No. 1, our first release of the new Best Made, the Phantom's head is 4lb 1060 high-carbon steel and bears the Best Made trademark X and the blacksmith's initials, deep-forged into the steel. Straight-grain Appalachian hickory forms the handle, while a walnut wedge securely fastens the head.
The Phantom draws from the mid-nineteenth-century design by William McKinnon of Rockaway, New Jersey. Known as the "Rockaway" pattern, it features a pronounced lug, sweeping heel, and a long elegant bit. McKinnon was tragically killed at his forge in 1905, but his pattern lived on on the pages of most axe history books. But despite its iconic status, the Rockaway pattern has almost vanished from production. We are proud to bring it back.
Produced in a limited edition, The Phantom embodies our process-driven mission, raising the bar higher, slower, more deliberately, and on a much smaller scale.
The Phantom is made-to-order and will ship March 1, 2025 (or sooner).
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After announcing the reacquisition, I received an email from Anderson, Indiana. The sender wanted to make the next Best Made axe. One phone call later and I was driving west to meet him. Nathan Brandt's main business, Coal Iron, produces forging equipment for axes, knives, and tools. A skilled blacksmith by trade, Nathan wanted to return to the forge and make axes solely for Best Made. We spent an afternoon discussing the possibilities. And I left knowing I had a partner and exactly where the next Best Made would start.
For months Nathan and I worked closely on the research, design, materials, and features that would define this axe. Nathan guides every step of the manufacturing of our axes. Each axe is forged by hand, the 1060 high-carbon steel is tempered to a Rockwell Hardness of 55-58 HRC. The visible forging marks give each axe its “forge-finished” character. And for the first time, Best Made axes bear our trademark X and the blacksmith's initials, deep-stamped in their heads. Each axe is ground and sharpened by hand, and securely stowed in a branded corrugated box with our signature Wickett & Craig bridle leather blade guard.
Oiling: Oil the axe head with a thin coat of boiled linseed oil to prevent rust. Wipe off excess. Oil the handle periodically to prevent drying and cracking. Do not dispose oil rags in garbage, let dry outside first.
Sharpening: Keep the axe as sharp as possible. Sharpen as needed with a stone or file, maintaining the correct bit profile.
Storage: Store the axe in a dry place with the blade guard on for safety.
Regular maintenance: Inspect regularly for wear or damage, especially where the head connects to the handle. Address any issues promptly.
Consult Buchanan-Smith’s Axe Handbook for more detailed guidelines and tips.