This 19th century style boarding axe is more of a challange than the trade spike axe even if they are similar.  The boarding axe is larger and forge welding the languets on, then keeping them matched and even while the two halves of the axe are being forge welded together is almost a three handed job.

There is some speculation that the spike axe was derived from the boarding axe. I understand that these axes were used for general work aboard ship (have you seen the film Master & Commander?) but were also used as weapons when boarding an enemy ship hence the name.  I believe that they would make a formidable addition to an arsenal. This one is patterned after the British navy boarding axe.    Here I’m fitting the handle before heat treating and the final finish.