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Posted: 2/18/2021 12:44:36 AM EDT
I picked up some used axe heads off eBay for cheap, they look somewhat abused but not in terrible condition in the pictures, some edge damage probably from bouncing off the floor, I believe they were used at an axe throwing place. Handles probably broke off so they sold the heads as scrap. I'm gonna strip the paint off and look for cracks in the eye and through the cheeks what not and make sure there are no catastrophic structural cracks in the heads. I can deal with some edge/heel/toe damage and just take the edge back and re-bevel it or reprofile the head to get rid of any nastiness, and clean up the edges, eyes, and polls a bit. Then if there's no major issues I'll apple cider vinegar patina them.
I'm looking to make kind of a bushcraft-ish utility axe, heads are 1.5# and appear to be a Rhineland type pattern, I think they also call them "Hoosier axes" but that might only apply to the bigger/heavier ones. I'm torn on hanging them a 16" handle or a 18-19" handle. I like the Hudson Bay style handle in both lengths. What is everyone's opinion on handle length for a 1.5# head? Am I really going to be gaining much going with the longer handle? pic of heads-   Handle-  |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 12:54:56 AM EDT
[#1]
Most of the time the axe will be used to not fell trees but clean the branches off and take out thick knots and make pointy ends.
corporals corner, dudes part of the pathfinder school of bushcraft. learned from Dave Canterbury. https://www.youtube.com/user/recall5811/videos |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 1:12:22 AM EDT
[#2]
Yeah I've got a 28" boys axe for felling bigger stuff, just looking for the sweet spot with weight and length, I know the Gransfors Bruks small forest axe is 1.5# at 19" long,
I'm just torn on whether to make these hatchet sized since I already own an axe, or to make them small axe sized. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 2:37:47 AM EDT
[#3]
Since you have three why not make both sizes or even three different lengths. I have Gransfors Brucks in multiple sizes. The short hand hatchet can be really handy sometimes. The small forest axe is about right but the small splitting axe is just a tad longer and about perfect yet shorter than the Scandinavian forest axe / boys axe length. You could always custom grind the shape of the head, lots of tomahawks are custom ground or custom filed to alter shape, then cold blued etc.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 2:50:32 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Since you have three why not make both sizes or even three different lengths. I have Gransfors Brucks in multiple sizes. The short hand hatchet can be really handy sometimes. The small forest axe is about right but the small splitting axe is just a tad longer and about perfect yet shorter than the Scandinavian forest axe / boys axe length. You could always custom grind the shape of the head, lots of tomahawks are custom ground or custom filed to alter shape, then cold blued etc. The seller has more, If these arrive and appear to be good to go I might grab another set of 3 and do what you suggested and make like a GB hand hatchet size for each of us as well. All said and done I'll have like $20 into each after hanging so it's definitely not breaking the bank. I think anything over a 20" handle with this weight head would be a waste, if they were 2-2.5# heads I wouldn't hesitate to toss a 28" handle on one for my BIL, My dad has plenty of boys/full size axes already though. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 3:50:32 AM EDT
[#5]
Fuck it, I bought another 3 banger, I didn't want to wait and risk them selling out. They looked decent enough in the pics that I could grind/file out any ugly marks they come with or reprofile them if the heel/toe is shitty. I think I'm gonna go with an 18" scout handle for a camp axe, and a 12" for the hand hatchet size. I foresee a lot of rasping, and grinding in my near future.
 Here's the listing for an axe head he sells them as singles, doubles, or triples if anyone is interested, They're definitely cheaper if you buy in bulk. Axe heads Looks like some have some nasty epoxy in the eye, that'll be fun to remove. I'm guessing they bought cheap fiberglass handles and epoxy fit them. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:06:34 AM EDT
[#6]
I like the practice of bushcraft, but it's become a marketing scheme. That said, I think these would be best with a 19-20" handle. The Gransfors Bruks SFA is 1.5lb head on a 19" handle. I think my older Wetterlings is a 20" handle. My larger Scandinavian Forest Axe is a 2.5lb head and a 25" handle.
Consider your needs and I think the 19-20 axes are about maximum as a pack-axe and are likely the most versatile. Good pick up BTW...those look pretty decent and just need some cleaning up, refinished, and sharpened. ROCK6 |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 3:23:03 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I like the practice of bushcraft, but it's become a marketing scheme. That said, I think these would be best with a 19-20" handle. The Gransfors Bruks SFA is 1.5lb head on a 19" handle. I think my older Wetterlings is a 20" handle. My larger Scandinavian Forest Axe is a 2.5lb head and a 25" handle. Consider your needs and I think the 19-20 axes are about maximum as a pack-axe and are likely the most versatile. Good pick up BTW...those look pretty decent and just need some cleaning up, refinished, and sharpened. ROCK6 My dad and nephew (cousins son) go out quite a bit and practice stuff in the woods, my dad made him his own fire kit and taught him how to make and use a bow drill and how to create char cloth and char wood out of punk wood, they both love doing that "survival prepping stuff" as my mom calls it, and once spent an entire day looking for flint on the property to make a flint and steel. My nephew lives in the city, and doesn't get to go out in the woods a lot other than with my dad when he comes for a weekend, his dad isn't super handy with anything other than a computer so Nick will have to teach his family all how to survive in the bush  . I wish I could get out with them more, but my work schedule is kind of prohibitive. I believe you're right about the 19" being versatile for this weight, the more I look the more I see tons of people love those SFA's and will pick that as a go to axe even when other stuff is available. Yeah I'm hoping I did ok in the pickup, I'll know more when I can strip that nasty "fake japanning" paint off and put it in vinegar, it'll give me an idea how how far the temper line goes back on the bit whether they're junk or decent heads. I can clean up nastiness on the edges and bits,, but I can't really fix a shitty temper job. Fingers crossed. |
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Posted: 2/20/2021 1:52:25 AM EDT
[#8]
I will be curious how you like them. My go to is one of the boys axes for most bushcraft or camping needs. Most of the time the next step down for me is the ESEE 6 although my son brings is Plumb BSA Hatchet almost always. I used to bring a full sized axe but they were never really needed and at this point I would need to search to find it while the Boys Axe hangs with the bug out/camping gear.
I am sure other tools have their niche too. Just stuck in my ways. |
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Posted: 2/20/2021 9:40:17 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I will be curious how you like them. My go to is one of the boys axes for most bushcraft or camping needs. Most of the time the next step down for me is the ESEE 6 although my son brings is Plumb BSA Hatchet almost always. I used to bring a full sized axe but they were never really needed and at this point I would need to search to find it while the Boys Axe hangs with the bug out/camping gear. I am sure other tools have their niche too. Just stuck in my ways. i have a buddy that is handy with kydex who makes holsters, I ordered all the Kydex sheets and hardware and we're going to make a few of these, for the pack/camp Axe size I'll do the sling and loop it over the backside of the pull the dot loop, for the hatchet sized ones we're gonna make a kydex belt loop.  |
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Posted: 2/20/2021 10:13:21 AM EDT
[#10]
I want to buy cool axes but I end up using a folding saw for most everything.
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Posted: 2/20/2021 11:13:32 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I want to buy cool axes but I end up using a folding saw for most everything. |
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Posted: 2/20/2021 5:45:15 PM EDT
[#12]
I don't think I would go any less than 19" on a head like those. One of my favorite go to axes is a Council Tool Hudson Bay 2# w/ 28" handle. While not much of a "pack axe" it is a work horse and I don't mind toting it along.
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Posted: 2/20/2021 6:38:31 PM EDT
[#13]
Bought one
Let’s see what happens |
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Posted: 2/20/2021 7:54:22 PM EDT
[#14]
If your going to use an axe to drop big trees your doing it wrong and need a saw.
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yeah I've got a 28" boys axe for felling bigger stuff, just looking for the sweet spot with weight and length, I know the Gransfors Bruks small forest axe is 1.5# at 19" long, I'm just torn on whether to make these hatchet sized since I already own an axe, or to make them small axe sized. |
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Posted: 2/20/2021 8:45:47 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Bought one Let's see what happens |
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Posted: 2/20/2021 8:55:51 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If your going to use an axe to drop big trees your doing it wrong and need a saw. Yeah, I worded that wrong. If I was gonna fell a tree I'd borrow one of my dad's like 25 chainsaws, I should have put it as processing bigger dead standing stuff once it's on the ground, and for splitting bigger rounds at a camp site. I have a bahco 24" bow saw that I put in my vehicle for sawing through bigger trees. Just looking for a smaller more mobile axe than the boys size axe. |
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Posted: 2/21/2021 12:13:32 PM EDT
[#17]
Here is an old sticky thread:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/Outdoors/Axes-and-Hatchets/1-605734/?page=1 Its interesting to see my posts from 5+ years ago.
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Posted: 2/21/2021 1:15:15 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Here is an old sticky thread: https://www.ar15.com/forums/Outdoors/Axes-and-Hatchets/1-605734/?page=1 Its interesting to see my posts from 5+ years ago. Quote HistoryQuoted: Here is an old sticky thread: https://www.ar15.com/forums/Outdoors/Axes-and-Hatchets/1-605734/?page=1 Its interesting to see my posts from 5+ years ago. Quoted: Nice True Temper! I found a double bit Kelly Works True Temper at a flea market a few weeks ago and picked it up for $10. If you want an addicting hobby, try to look for the old axe heads and restore them to the former glory. There's something about a made-in-America piece of steel that is sweet to own. I find this comment is worrying... . I mean I did just buy 6 axe heads and I'm already jonesing for them to get here.
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Posted: 2/22/2021 9:22:05 AM EDT
[#19]
I grabbed 3 of these for about 18$ each from SG just over a year back. I was intrigued by the design which reminded me of the axes that are similar to the trappers seen in" Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/russian-military-surplus-axe-with-wood-handle-like-new?a=2196400 Glad I did as they seemed to have dried up now... Mask I made for it is a bit odd looking but so is the head I guess. I was able to find pictures of the head facing both directions on handle so I made it face the direction that seemed to fit the handle the best, and would also work best for my intended use which is a utility woods walking axe. What you see as the top of the head the way i handled it was much rougher, I wanted a more smooth edge facing my hand for fine work, and the beard of the axe facing down also gives some leverage for fine work. The other way didn't seem as intuitive for me. I only cleaned up and handled one so far. Pretty neat Russian made axe:  Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached FileNot including those couple I still have half a dozen axe heads not on handles. The defiantly take up less room that way. |
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Posted: 2/22/2021 9:49:43 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I grabbed 3 of these for about 18$ each from SG just over a year back. I was intrigued by the design which reminded me of the axes that are similar to the trappers seen in" Happy People: A Year in the Taiga https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/russian-military-surplus-axe-with-wood-handle-like-new?a=2196400 Glad I did as they seemed to have dried up now... Mask I made for it is a bit odd looking but so is the head I guess. I was able to find pictures of the head facing both directions on handle so I made it face the direction that seemed to fit the handle the best, and would also work best for my intended use which is a utility woods walking axe. What you see as the top of the head the way i handled it was much rougher, I wanted a more smooth edge facing my hand for fine work, and the beard of the axe facing down also gives some leverage for fine work. The other way didn't seem as intuitive for me. I only cleaned up and handled one so far. Pretty neat Russian made axe: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/140266/IMG_20201222_165927039_jpg-1836275.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/140266/IMG_20201222_165919914_jpg-1836280.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/140266/IMG_20201222_165858438_jpg-1836282.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/140266/IMG_20201222_165830249_jpg-1836283.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/140266/IMG_20201222_165816182_jpg-1836285.JPG Not including those couple I still have half a dozen axe heads not on handles. The defiantly take up less room that way. I would have mounted the head the same way, looking at the pictures on sportsman's guide it's hard to tell if they have the beard up or down. Is the eye really as square at the back as it appears? |
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Posted: 2/22/2021 10:16:39 AM EDT
[#21]
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Posted: 2/22/2021 10:33:43 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryNo idea yet, still haven't gotten here, one of them is showing as having arrived at the post office depot near my house this morning, so hopefully I'll be able to take a look at them tomorrow night when I get home, it'll be Thursday before i can citristrip them probably, hopefully the other 3 are here by then and I can just do it in a big batch. I think you found the donor hatchet, if not exact then it looks really close for sure. Reading the review from Amazon for those Black Widow hatchets isn't stellar... but the good news is everything people are complaining about is the handle which I'm hanging myself, the coating on the blade which I'm removing, and that they aren't very sharp, which I can fix by filing, grinding and honing. So I'm still optimistic. That price though is the same as what I paid for just the head for each... Oh well at least I won't have to mess around with cutting/pounding the old handles out. |
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Posted: 2/22/2021 4:51:48 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's an interesting head and handle for sure, it almost looks like someone in the Red Army R&D remembered seeing a fawns foot once and went by memory lol. That long shoulder section below the head looks like it would be very comfortable to choke up on for finer work. How much does the head weigh? It looks like a beast for a 28" handle. I would have mounted the head the same way, looking at the pictures on sportsman's guide it's hard to tell if they have the beard up or down. Is the eye really as square at the back as it appears? Yea it is square. I read somewhere that axes like this, that have a bigger than average eye are to allow for a reconstructed handle from other hardwoods or even softwood in a pinch. The larger eye allows you to have more material and create a stronger handle if you dont have access to hickory. They are a neat axe and fun to play with but for serious play or real work I reach for my Council Tool Hudson bay w/ 28" handle. I also have a small Swedish made Husqvarna hatchet. Its one of my favorites. |
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Posted: 2/22/2021 5:50:23 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yea it is square. I read somewhere that axes like this, that have a bigger than average eye are to allow for a reconstructed handle from other hardwoods or even softwood in a pinch. The larger eye allows you to have more material and create a stronger handle if you dont have access to hickory. They are a neat axe and fun to play with but for serious play or real work I reach for my Council Tool Hudson bay w/ 28" handle. I also have a small Swedish made Husqvarna hatchet. Its one of my favorites. I've heard decent things about the Husqvarna's, most of the complaints are that they aren't shipped shaving sharp like GFB or HB axes, but that if you put the time in with them and remove the varnish from the handles, and oil them yourself that they are very capable axes. |
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Posted: 2/22/2021 8:37:00 PM EDT
[#25]
The first batch of heads came they were about as advertised as far as condition goes, initially eyeballing them I don't see any major cracks, the bottom of the eye is pretty chewed up on one of them, but nothing that I can't grind out and smooth up. A nicked up heel on one of the bits which doesn't surprise me, again I can fix it with a grinder and files, they're all duller than a butter knife. Interestingly one had a wooden handle at one point and a barrel wedge is still in the splintered piece of the kerf in the eye.
   this one intrigues me, I initially thought the whole bit was twisted and bowed, but the grind in the cheeks is so uneven that one side looks almost flat... it has me wondering if I could keep it that way and make a quasi carpenters axe with it... with a flatter side for shaving stuff square.  All in all I'm satisfied thus far, I'm also surprised at how intact and in decent shape the polls are, there's a few chips and scratches one the odd corner, but I figured they'd be super mushroomed and have a ton of damage from axes hitting other axes. |
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Posted: 2/22/2021 11:02:16 PM EDT
[#26]
I used to be into collecting axes till we had a house fire and lost almost all of them.
One of the most useful of all was the Hultafors branded ( Hults Bruk Hunters axe. You used to have to order from Great Britton but with shipping they were still only about a $100. Now that they import them they all have silly names and push the upper $160s. Ekelund Hunters axe is what it’s called now. Its not as nice as the GB version but it would what I’d want to take as a do it all type deal. Mine is lost someplace on my property. Been looking for the last two years. I know it’s here damn it. |
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Posted: 2/23/2021 6:39:41 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I used to be into collecting axes till we had a house fire and lost almost all of them. One of the most useful of all was the Hultafors branded ( Hults Bruk Hunters axe. You used to have to order from Great Britton but with shipping they were still only about a $100. Now that they import them they all have silly names and push the upper $160s. Ekelund Hunters axe is what it's called now. Its not as nice as the GB version but it would what I'd want to take as a do it all type deal. Mine is lost someplace on my property. Been looking for the last two years. I know it's here damn it. That will interestingly be fairly close to what I plan to do with these, I think I'm gonna go 19" vs the 20" on the Ekelund, and that head is slightly heavier at 1.8# vs. 1.5# (honestly I forgot to weigh them last night when I was looking them over) I'd start metal detecting anywhere that I used it lol. I saw a guy on youtube restore an axe that was buried since the Civil War era, so if you find it it's definitely still salvageable, might need a new handle though depending on the climate and how many years it's been out there lol. I was watching another guy who had a blaze orange paracord lanyard that he would carabiner to the existing paracord hanging loop in the handle if he was going to set the axe down for a few minutes, just so he didn't lose it as easily. |
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Posted: 2/24/2021 2:04:57 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Damn, that's terrible I'm sorry about the losses. That will interestingly be fairly close to what I plan to do with these, I think I'm gonna go 19" vs the 20" on the Ekelund, and that head is slightly heavier at 1.8# vs. 1.5# (honestly I forgot to weigh them last night when I was looking them over) I'd start metal detecting anywhere that I used it lol. I saw a guy on youtube restore an axe that was buried since the Civil War era, so if you find it it's definitely still salvageable, might need a new handle though depending on the climate and how many years it's been out there lol. I was watching another guy who had a blaze orange paracord lanyard that he would carabiner to the existing paracord hanging loop in the handle if he was going to set the axe down for a few minutes, just so he didn't lose it as easily. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I used to be into collecting axes till we had a house fire and lost almost all of them. One of the most useful of all was the Hultafors branded ( Hults Bruk Hunters axe. You used to have to order from Great Britton but with shipping they were still only about a $100. Now that they import them they all have silly names and push the upper $160s. Ekelund Hunters axe is what it's called now. Its not as nice as the GB version but it would what I'd want to take as a do it all type deal. Mine is lost someplace on my property. Been looking for the last two years. I know it's here damn it. That will interestingly be fairly close to what I plan to do with these, I think I'm gonna go 19" vs the 20" on the Ekelund, and that head is slightly heavier at 1.8# vs. 1.5# (honestly I forgot to weigh them last night when I was looking them over) I'd start metal detecting anywhere that I used it lol. I saw a guy on youtube restore an axe that was buried since the Civil War era, so if you find it it's definitely still salvageable, might need a new handle though depending on the climate and how many years it's been out there lol. I was watching another guy who had a blaze orange paracord lanyard that he would carabiner to the existing paracord hanging loop in the handle if he was going to set the axe down for a few minutes, just so he didn't lose it as easily. Ya knowing me I’ll spend 1k on metal detector to find a $80 axe lol. |
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Posted: 2/24/2021 12:09:04 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I used to be into collecting axes till we had a house fire and lost almost all of them. One of the most useful of all was the Hultafors branded ( Hults Bruk Hunters axe. You used to have to order from Great Britton but with shipping they were still only about a $100. Now that they import them they all have silly names and push the upper $160s. Ekelund Hunters axe is what it's called now. Its not as nice as the GB version but it would what I'd want to take as a do it all type deal. Mine is lost someplace on my property. Been looking for the last two years. I know it's here damn it. 
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Posted: 2/26/2021 8:22:12 PM EDT
[#30]
Still waiting on the second set of axe heads that shipped the day after the first
 . But I managed to get the broken wood handle out of the eye of one of the heads, and was able to get almost all the epoxy out of the other eyes with a heat gun and a chisel to scrape it up in strips, it worked very well, I was pleasantly surprised. I'm going to attempt to dissolve what little is left of the epoxy with Citristrip when I'm removing the paint off the heads, if that fails I'm going to try acetone to melt it out of the eye. I'll update with pics once the other axe heads arrive and I can do it all in one batch. |
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Posted: 2/27/2021 8:00:12 PM EDT
[#31]
Before
After   This Bessey vacuum vise is crazy, I wasn't expecting it to perform very well being that it was $30 but it was rock solid, I was putting a ton of weight down on it with the file... The joys of not having a workshop.  Before After  Other heads haven't arrived still, figured I'd clean these up while I had time. I chamfered the edges a bit with a mill file and finished with a dremel sanding drum. I think I'm going to thin the cheeks a little bit on my buddies bench sander to give it more of a GFB style profile. I'm gonna do some more sanding tomorrow. |
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Posted: 2/28/2021 12:41:57 AM EDT
[#32]
Can you see or feel the temper line?
Or are they untemoered? |
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Posted: 2/28/2021 9:22:46 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Can you see or feel the temper line? Or are they untemoered? Looking at it now that I've removed the paint it seems to be about the first 3/4-1" of the bit if my eyes aren't deceiving me with the colors, I'll know more in a bit |
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Posted: 2/28/2021 1:49:57 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Can you see or feel the temper line? Or are they untemoered?  using acetone to melt the epoxy. I gave up doing it this way and cut a vitamin water bottle top off and put the 2 that were the worst in there eye down and filled it with acetone overnight. It removed all but a few stubborn spots. I sanded it off with the dremel when I was cleaning the eyes.  I boiled apple cider vinegar to concentrate it and put the heads in a disposable Turkey pan after I wiped them down with acetone and let them go until they stopped bubbling a ton.  Not a crazy deep temper about 1/2" on average. They'll do for my purposes though. Now to rinse and repeat until I get a nice patina |
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Posted: 2/28/2021 2:34:29 PM EDT
[#35]
 I didn't like the darkness I got with the vinegar it just kind of stopped after a bit even with some steel wool and acetone. So I opted to use some old Super Blue I had lying around. I think if I had had a new bottle the results would have been a bit more consistent. But I like the gun metal grey they all turned much better than black paint. |
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Posted: 2/28/2021 8:51:55 PM EDT
[#36]
 I tried my hand at saltwater etching    I put gun blue in the initials on mine I prefer the subdued look but my fiance said I should keep the others silver. |
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Posted: 3/1/2021 7:48:20 AM EDT
[#37]
Coming along nicely!
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Posted: 3/1/2021 11:28:03 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Coming along nicely! |
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Posted: 3/1/2021 3:21:39 PM EDT
[#39]
Second heads got here this morning!
About the same condition as the first batch little nicks here and there and one that was pretty chewed up in the identical spot below the eye.   Same process as yesterday but I skipped the heat gun and acetone and just used a hammer and chisel in the vise to get the epoxy out it came out cleaner with less residue. I just sanded what was left out with the dremel when I was cleaning up the inside of the eye. There's a weird seam about halfway down the eye probably from casting or drifting I knocked it down flush so it doesn't affect hanging the handle. No saltwater etch on these yet.  |
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Posted: 3/2/2021 1:18:49 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice, mine got delayed due to the storm. They were the cheapest I could find on eBay, I didn't want to buy a Norlund or some other collectible axe head. Maybe I should cruise garage sales if that's a thing this summer, I know people say they find awesome deals at estate sales and garage sales. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Bought one Let's see what happens As stated in OP. They come from Axe Monkey, an axe throwing franchise/ training club/ amusement. Edge is rough and not very Symmetrical. I drilled out the epoxy handle left overs, then hit it with a course round file then a finer rat tail. Cleaned it up with a wire wheel and an 120 grit grinding wheel. Then I hit the edge with a 1 “ wide belt sander. Got the edge under control, the bevel balance is a bit off I’ll hit it with file and stone and try and get it even and sharp. Not sure if it needs a temper. Gotta find a handle. It’s a hatchet sized head. Nice work OP. I’ll have to cider cure mine. It’s actually in pretty good shape no major nicks dings or gouges. |
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Posted: 3/2/2021 1:51:01 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: As stated in OP. They come from Axe Monkey, an axe throwing franchise/ training club/ amusement. Edge is rough and not very Symmetrical. I drilled out the epoxy handle left overs, then hit it with a course round file then a finer rat tail. Cleaned it up with a wire wheel and an 120 grit grinding wheel. Then I hit the edge with a 1 " wide belt sander. Got the edge under control, the bevel balance is a bit off I'll hit it with file and stone and try and get it even and sharp. Not sure if it needs a temper. Gotta find a handle. It's a hatchet sized head. Nice work OP. I'll have to cider cure mine. It's actually in pretty good shape no major nicks dings or gouges. I ordered handles from Beaver Tooth Handles they said it can take up to 30 days to ship your order which I'm not thrilled about... but oh well, the only thing I would be able to find around here would be like 28"+ axe handles or straight hatchet handles at the hardware store, I like the Hudson Bay pattern handles a lot so I'll wait for them. |
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Posted: 3/4/2021 8:37:02 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice sounds like you've put in some work, yeah mine came duller than butter knives. The temper isn't the deepest I've seen but it's there. The axes that I took a decent amount off of I can see it back at least 1/2". The ones I got today weren't in horrible shape and cleaned up pretty quickly with minimal filling so I can't spot the temper as easily, I think my vinegar is getting old and used up too. I'll fix the bevels and profile on a bench sander and save some sweat with the files. I'll use a file to get my final edge before I break out the Lansky puck. I ordered handles from Beaver Tooth Handles they said it can take up to 30 days to ship your order which I'm not thrilled about... but oh well, the only thing I would be able to find around here would be like 28"+ axe handles or straight hatchet handles at the hardware store, I like the Hudson Bay pattern handles a lot so I'll wait for them. I have ordered a stack of wedges from Beaver Tooth in the past and they are good to go, but I also recommend looking at: https://www.househandle.com/ Good prices and choices on generic & budget/ quality handles. I ordered a stack of various handles from them back in 2014 and haven't needed any since. |
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Posted: 3/4/2021 8:53:56 PM EDT
[#43]
Have anyone looked at Tennessee Hickory Products?
I have ordered from them before nd they were gto |
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Posted: 3/5/2021 1:25:22 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have ordered a stack of wedges from Beaver Tooth in the past and they are good to go, but I also recommend looking at: https://www.househandle.com/ Good prices and choices on generic & budget/ quality handles. I ordered a stack of various handles from them back in 2014 and haven't needed any since. Quoted: Have anyone looked at Tennessee Hickory Products? I have ordered from them before nd they were gto |
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Posted: 3/5/2021 8:56:19 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice sounds like you've put in some work, yeah mine came duller than butter knives. The temper isn't the deepest I've seen but it's there. The axes that I took a decent amount off of I can see it back at least 1/2". The ones I got today weren't in horrible shape and cleaned up pretty quickly with minimal filling so I can't spot the temper as easily, I think my vinegar is getting old and used up too. I'll fix the bevels and profile on a bench sander and save some sweat with the files. I'll use a file to get my final edge before I break out the Lansky puck. I ordered handles from Beaver Tooth Handles they said it can take up to 30 days to ship your order which I'm not thrilled about... but oh well, the only thing I would be able to find around here would be like 28"+ axe handles or straight hatchet handles at the hardware store, I like the Hudson Bay pattern handles a lot so I'll wait for them. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: As stated in OP. They come from Axe Monkey, an axe throwing franchise/ training club/ amusement. Edge is rough and not very Symmetrical. I drilled out the epoxy handle left overs, then hit it with a course round file then a finer rat tail. Cleaned it up with a wire wheel and an 120 grit grinding wheel. Then I hit the edge with a 1 " wide belt sander. Got the edge under control, the bevel balance is a bit off I'll hit it with file and stone and try and get it even and sharp. Not sure if it needs a temper. Gotta find a handle. It's a hatchet sized head. Nice work OP. I'll have to cider cure mine. It's actually in pretty good shape no major nicks dings or gouges. I ordered handles from Beaver Tooth Handles they said it can take up to 30 days to ship your order which I'm not thrilled about... but oh well, the only thing I would be able to find around here would be like 28"+ axe handles or straight hatchet handles at the hardware store, I like the Hudson Bay pattern handles a lot so I'll wait for them. Lol So I got out the bastard file, and went at it. Got the bevel angle pretty good. And sharp. Then proceeded to run my knuckle into the blade on a file stroke, cut thru the my work glove, and got a good cut for free. I’ll take the stone to it soon, tempt another blood letting. It seems every bladed tool I work with, sharpen etc, has to get its taste of my blood. I think it’s a right of passage or some sort of sacrifice to the God of Steel. There is a bend in the bit. No doubt from throwing it. No twist just a slight bend from toe to heel of the blade. Ordered an 18” from househandle. |
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Posted: 3/5/2021 10:19:32 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Lol So I got out the bastard file, and went at it. Got the bevel angle pretty good. And sharp. Then proceeded to run my knuckle into the blade on a file stroke, cut thru the my work glove, and got a good cut for free. I'll take the stone to it soon, tempt another blood letting. It seems every bladed tool I work with, sharpen etc, has to get its taste of my blood. I think it's a right of passage or some sort of sacrifice to the God of Steel. There is a bend in the bit. No doubt from throwing it. No twist just a slight bend from toe to heel of the blade. Ordered an 18" from househandle. I noticed a bit of a bend in one of the heads, I think I was able to take quite a bit of it out with the file just skating across it diagonally from the center to one edge until I saw the file digging in pretty equally across the flat, and then worked from the new flat area across to the side until I saw it even out more, I'm hoping the rest will come out with the bench sander. I got myself with a chisel when I was being lazy and not wanting to setup the vise again, I noticed a little chunk of epoxy and figured I would just chip it out, well I'm holding the head near the eye and I start scraping the chisel jumped and went through the eye completely and poked into my palm on the other side, it wasn't bad but it was my punishment for being dumb lol. I wish I had waited and ordered from HouseHandle, they look like solid handles and seem like they might ship a little faster, you'll have to put pics after you hang it. Did you pay the extra for a hand-select and no varnish? |
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Posted: 3/6/2021 3:26:02 AM EDT
[#47]
Different Heads, Same Seller
I just saw a lot of 4 heads under the same listing, they're not the Rhineland pattern like the ones I grabbed, they're more of a traditional Collins looking single bit head some are marked 1 1/4# others are unmarked. ETA- some of these look suspiciously like heads off the $7.99 Harbor Freight hatchets |
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Posted: 3/8/2021 12:29:21 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Lol damn, I'm definitely going to wait to handle them before I touch the cutting edge haha. I told my fiance I'd rather smash my toe if the dull axe head falls off than to cut my toe off with a sharpened head, and her response was why does it have to be either one of those? I noticed a bit of a bend in one of the heads, I think I was able to take quite a bit of it out with the file just skating across it diagonally from the center to one edge until I saw the file digging in pretty equally across the flat, and then worked from the new flat area across to the side until I saw it even out more, I'm hoping the rest will come out with the bench sander. I got myself with a chisel when I was being lazy and not wanting to setup the vise again, I noticed a little chunk of epoxy and figured I would just chip it out, well I'm holding the head near the eye and I start scraping the chisel jumped and went through the eye completely and poked into my palm on the other side, it wasn't bad but it was my punishment for being dumb lol. I wish I had waited and ordered from HouseHandle, they look like solid handles and seem like they might ship a little faster, you'll have to put pics after you hang it. Did you pay the extra for a hand-select and no varnish? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Lol So I got out the bastard file, and went at it. Got the bevel angle pretty good. And sharp. Then proceeded to run my knuckle into the blade on a file stroke, cut thru the my work glove, and got a good cut for free. I'll take the stone to it soon, tempt another blood letting. It seems every bladed tool I work with, sharpen etc, has to get its taste of my blood. I think it's a right of passage or some sort of sacrifice to the God of Steel. There is a bend in the bit. No doubt from throwing it. No twist just a slight bend from toe to heel of the blade. Ordered an 18" from househandle. I noticed a bit of a bend in one of the heads, I think I was able to take quite a bit of it out with the file just skating across it diagonally from the center to one edge until I saw the file digging in pretty equally across the flat, and then worked from the new flat area across to the side until I saw it even out more, I'm hoping the rest will come out with the bench sander. I got myself with a chisel when I was being lazy and not wanting to setup the vise again, I noticed a little chunk of epoxy and figured I would just chip it out, well I'm holding the head near the eye and I start scraping the chisel jumped and went through the eye completely and poked into my palm on the other side, it wasn't bad but it was my punishment for being dumb lol. I wish I had waited and ordered from HouseHandle, they look like solid handles and seem like they might ship a little faster, you'll have to put pics after you hang it. Did you pay the extra for a hand-select and no varnish? Yes I did I haven’t gotten a shipping notification yet though. C-19 has fuvked up production and shipping for so many things. I had trouble getting a common 1hp motor for a pump project at work. Major manufacturer too. Like 3 months behind due to plant closures. Things are getting back to normal, but still.., |
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Posted: 3/8/2021 1:10:08 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yes I did I haven't gotten a shipping notification yet though. C-19 has fuvked up production and shipping for so many things. I had trouble getting a common 1hp motor for a pump project at work. Major manufacturer too. Like 3 months behind due to plant closures. Things are getting back to normal, but still.., Yeah Covid definitely screwed up a lot, hopefully everything will catch back up sooner rather than later. |
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Posted: 3/27/2021 7:16:35 PM EDT
[#50]
Quoted: I picked up some used axe heads off eBay for cheap, they look somewhat abused but not in terrible condition in the pictures, some edge damage probably from bouncing off the floor, I believe they were used at an axe throwing place. Handles probably broke off so they sold the heads as scrap. I'm gonna strip the paint off and look for cracks in the eye and through the cheeks what not and make sure there are no catastrophic structural cracks in the heads. I can deal with some edge/heel/toe damage and just take the edge back and re-bevel it or reprofile the head to get rid of any nastiness, and clean up the edges, eyes, and polls a bit. Then if there's no major issues I'll apple cider vinegar patina them. I'm looking to make kind of a bushcraft-ish utility axe, heads are 1.5# and appear to be a Rhineland type pattern, I think they also call them "Hoosier axes" but that might only apply to the bigger/heavier ones. I'm torn on hanging them a 16" handle or a 18-19" handle. I like the Hudson Bay style handle in both lengths. What is everyone's opinion on handle length for a 1.5# head? Am I really going to be gaining much going with the longer handle? pic of heads- https://i.imgur.com/BNkYQ71.jpg https://i.imgur.com/eV4en6N.jpg Handle- https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0301/1705/products/hudson-bay-axe-handle-sb-19-axe-handle-for-house-boys-hudson-bay-type-axes-american-hickory-item-10219-1_1024x1024.JPG?v=1486497550 A nice thin 24" on that bad boy would be excellent. Do a secondwith 20" and you will keep going back to the 24" |
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