Forging bonds of steel: Ben Hayhurst makes 9/11 axe to go beyond remembering
Elk resident and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Ben Hayhurst suffered PTSD and multiple injuries/aftermath but since about 2014 turned to making knives primarily for service members, then recently a firefighter’s axe from 417 pieces of steel from the World Trade Center to represent first responders who died on 9/11. It’s now at NYFD Fire Academy but the idea is it will travel at times for a special program Spartan Pledge to prevent suicides.
Section:Gallery
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Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Ben Hayhurst, 42, suffered PTSD and multiple injuries but a few years ago started making Damascus steel knives primarily for service members. In September, he also finished what’s called the Spartan Axe by layering in 417 pieces of steel from the World Trade Center and a fireman’s ax.
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Ben Hayhurst uses a blacksmith hammer to shape a bread knife heated to 1,900 degrees for his wife on Feb. 24, 2021.
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Ben Hayhurst created a tomahawk for a platoon mate that will be used as a display piece.
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Elk resident and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Ben Hayhurst suffered PTSD and multiple injuries but a few years ago started making Damascus steel knives primarily for service members. In September, he also finished what’s called the Spartan Axe by layering in 417 pieces of steel from the World Trade Center and a firefighter’s ax used at Ground Zero in the days following 9/11 to represent first responders who died.
Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
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Ben Hayhurst brushes away debris while forging a bread knife heated to 1900 degrees for his wife, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.
Dan Pelle Thespokesman-Review Buy this photo
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