Axe restoration?

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I found this axe head in my granddads workshop. I would like to clean it up and replace the handle. It likely will only be a wall hanger, but I would like it to be usable.

Any opinions on taking out the large chip on the edge? Would it be OK to use a grinder to reprofile the edge? I know I would have to figure out the bevel and type of grind to get it back to "real" usable condition.

I think this is a Broad Axe that would have been used to square logs for beams or similar work? Anyone know what kind of handle it would have? Its a large head, but the eye is similar in size to the smaller single bit In the picture.

I plan to use some rust remover and see if I can find some markings on it, but I haven't seen any so far.

 

[jdewitt]

Grinding it down enough to remove the large chip would remove so much material that it will either make the ax head significantly smaller (if you keep the radius), or change the front radius of the ax.

Is filling the chipped part with weld and then grinding it down an option?

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I considered that but was worried it would cause it to lose its temper. Grinder could go slow enough to keep it cooler.

 

[jdewitt]

You can always harden and temper it again.

Harden: Heat until cherry red (test with a magnet if you want, it shouldn't stick), and quench in water. Some steels want an oil quench, not sure how you'd tell which this is.

Temper: You can use the oven method bake it at 350F for 2 hours, or clean it to bare steel, start heating it slowly from the side opposite the cutting edge. Watch as the colors change and stop as soon as the straw color nears the cutting edge.

I'm no expert, but I've hardened & tempered using both these methods and they seem to work for me. I think that's the way I would approach it.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Good info. Thanks. I'm still not sure on what to do. Guess I need to decide if its worth the work to fix the edge or just clean it up some and hang it on the wall like it is. Probably why it was inside a cabinet for who knows how many years.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Advice I am getting on another forum with several axe restoration threads seems to be to grind / file till I'm happy with it and then hang it on the wall.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Kinda what I was thinking. If you take off a little bit, I'll bet you can shrink that gouge drastically without taking too much material off. Find a happy medium.

 

[BamaDADx3]

I don't claim to be an expert but If i was doing for a wallhanger id wire brush it good and leave it alone. Gives it character. What about that little hammer head in the pic. looks unique.

 

[Larryjones]

A broad ax has a bent type handle so you can hew close to the log on one side. They are easily removable so that the handle can be reversed to change from a right hand ax to a left hand ax. https://www.househandle.com/products-2.html#broadaxehandles

 

[anythingyoucanimagine]

Thread is a little old so I may be too late. I'd do what BamaDADx3 said. Wire brush it, sharpen it and use it. I wouldn't even try to grind out the chips. Just sharpen it then use it. Use and sharpening/resharpening will start to even out the chip over time. Use will also wear off the rust and leave a nice patina that'll give the axe character. If you'd like it to be a really nice looking wall hanger use it a bit and then put BLO on the handle + paste wax on the head. (so it won't rust)


Don't take a grinder to it and if you really insist on getting the rust off, drop the axe head in a bucket of vinegar for a day or three. You'll lose all the patina but it'll take care of the rust quickly.

 

[2oolhound]

That's an unusual shape for a broad axe. I'm looking at the curve at the back of the blade. Also the cutting edge is usually straight with very little curvature. That one has a lot of curve to it. It makes it look like a battle axe. 1st step I'd try to get the rust off and look for any stampings. What does the other side look like? More photos would be great.