Let's see your axes

[2oolhound]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Had to do a bit of reshaping and adjusting the shoulder to get the Brades head on it tho.

Would have been nice if it had just been a ... slip the head on/bang in a wedge ... job ..

I'd expect it's whitworth

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Nothing to impressive on this one other than the edge I put on it with a mill ******* followed by a diamond file. Razor sharp! Shaved hair off the arm...
It's unmarked and has a fiberglass handle. It will make a handy camp hatchet. It may need a sheath though....
The head is about 16 Oz. best I can tell.

 

[NJ Marty]

Re: Let's see your axe's

These are recent estate sale axes I bought. I don't come across broad axes very often but at the end of 2015 I did good.

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

These are recent estate sale axes I bought. I don't come across broad axes very often but at the end of 2015 I did good.

WOW Very nice stash !

 

[Exeter]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Wetterlings 3 1/2 lb that I restored. I custom made the handle for it too.

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Wetterlings 3 1/2 lb that I restored. I custom made the handle for it too.

That is beautiful work ! What kind of wood did you use? looks like ash maybe... Did you use a wood wedge to hang it ?

 

[Exeter]

Re: Let's see your axe's

That is beautiful work ! What kind of wood did you use? looks like ash maybe... Did you use a wood wedge to hang it ?

It's hickory. I found a very white & clear piece. It's the hardest wood I've ever worked. Here's a pic of the wedge.

 

[bczygan]

Re: Let's see your axe's

It's hickory. I found a very white & clear piece. It's the hardest wood I've ever worked. Here's a pic of the wedge.

Exeter,
Where are you, and where did you obtain the hickory? Is it a particular type of hickory? Was it kiln dried or air dried? What moisture content?

Bill

 

[drivesitfar]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Exeter:any chance you have some pictures of you making that or another handle. that is gorgeous wood and even better craftsmanship. nicely done sir and any help you want to give some of us novices would be awesome. i must have 10 old heads that need a handle sitting in a box somewhere around here.

TOP: great thread and maybe some day i'll have a few decent pics to post. also that is some piece of wood in your AVATAR.

you would probably be able to make a couple axe handles out of that wouldn't you?

 

[Exeter]

Re: Let's see your axe's

bczygan I'm in Idaho and have a local rare and exotic woods dealer. It's sap wood hickory. It has several coats of Tried & True Original Wood Finish which makes it a little darker and more yellow than just the bare wood. Hickory heartwood is a a darker red color. This particular wood was kiln dried and I have no idea on the moisture content, but it's still straight with no twist 1 1/2 years later. I use it regularly.

drivesitfar No pics. I wish I had taken some. I planed it down to the thickness I wanted, cut out the pattern I designed on the bandsaw then a lot of work with a drawknife, spokeshave and RO sander. Final sanding by hand with 220 and 500 grit paper. It probably took me 3+ hours to make.

Here's a couple before pics. As you can see the poll was pretty bashed up. It took a lot of file work to fix it up and put the bevel on it. The geometry on the bit was pretty bad too. I straightened it up and thinned the cheeks a little. Finished with a mirror edge on the sharp end.

Another showing the full handle. Store handles are thick to prevent splitting, especially on low quality wood or improperly oriented grain. I like a thinner handle.

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Here's a couple before pics. As you can see the poll was pretty bashed up. It took a lot of file work to fix it up and put the bevel on it. The geometry on the bit was pretty bad too. I straightened it up and thinned the cheeks a little. Finished with a mirror edge on the sharp end.

Another showing the full handle. Store handles are thick to prevent splitting, especially on low quality wood or improperly oriented grain. I like a thinner handle.

[/QUOTE]

Outstanding! Like Drives stated , We'd love to see the steps in making one. Again Nice work!

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Exeter:any chance you have some pictures of you making that or another handle. that is gorgeous wood and even better craftsmanship. nicely done sir and any help you want to give some of us novices would be awesome. i must have 10 old heads that need a handle sitting in a box somewhere around here.

TOP: great thread and maybe some day i'll have a few decent pics to post. also that is some piece of wood in your AVATAR.

you would probably be able to make a couple axe handles out of that wouldn't you?

Drives looking forward to some of those pics. I know you have many quality tools collections!
Yeah that's a chunk of lumber! I seen that and thought it was appropriate for starting this thread!

 

[Jazz1]

Re: Let's see your axe's

These are just the axes in my garage that I have found.. The Swede is usually in my truck along with a bow saw.. The old hatchet head was found on shores of Hudson Bay.. I split all my wood by hand so i have various axes around,,as well as in my boat...I do have a collection?

 

[Exeter]

Re: Let's see your axe's

These are just the axes in my garage that I have found.. The Swede is usually in my truck along with a bow saw.. The old hatchet head was found on shores of Hudson Bay.. I split all my wood by hand so i have various axes around,,as well as in my boat...I do have a collection?

I like that Gransfors single bit. Do you know how old it is?

 

[2oolhound]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I never saw an axe that was a saw.

 

[Exeter]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I never saw an axe that was a saw.

You have now

SAW = S.A. Wetterlings

 

[Jazz1]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I like that Gransfors single bit. Do you know how old it is?

I'm impressed! You know your axes!
No idea how old that axe is,, I found it. The axe with broken handle was in woodshed at our 95 year old cabin. It broke last summer,,says Walters on head. I used what's left of another axe handle to fix the old hatchet.

 

[Jazz1]

Re: Let's see your axe's

the Walters,,its been well used! Still a good brush axe

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

You have now

SAW = S.A. Wetterlings

 

[Exeter]

Re: Let's see your axe's

 

[tysonh]

Re: Let's see your axe's

These were finally finished the other day when I bead blasted them and shot some black powder coat on them.



https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/12509319_10207263808168784_8556497172235207575_n.jpg?oh=04cabc1e122165dc15a60c9722540baf&oe=573D14EA

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Super nice!. Love the bit. The grain in the handle REALLY pops!

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

These were finally finished the other day when I bead blasted them and shot some black powder coat on them.



https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlf1/v/t1.0-9/12509319_10207263808168784_8556497172235207575_n.jpg?oh=04cabc1e122165dc15a60c9722540baf&oe=573D14EA

Nice! Powder coated!!! Any maker marks on those?

 

[tysonh]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Nice! Powder coated!!! Any maker marks on those?

Yes sir, the double bit is a Plumb 3.2 the single bit is a Plumb 3.3, the pulaski is a Barco FSS, the one Mcload is vintage for sure but no markings. I found it hunting on public lands, Im guessing an old forest fire. The other Mcload no markings and not nearly as old also found on public land while I was hunting in different years. The cruiser double bit has no markings and is a bit pitted but its still good old steel so I'll hold on to it. Cheers

 

[bczygan]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Nice Neeman felling or forest axe! How do you like it?

Bill

 

[Exeter]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Forest axe and I love how it looks. I have yet to put it to wood, but the balance and weight feels very nice for the size.

 

[creativecars]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I did this one a while back.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308387

 

[Jazz1]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I did this one a while back.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308387

Nice axe with interesting insignia...what is the maker

 

[bczygan]

Re: Let's see your axe's

[BWoody[/B] What sort of Heller scraper were you talking about?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315296

 

[creativecars]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Nice axe with interesting insignia...what is the maker

The Lee's Best Lightning Inc, The Lee HDWE Co, Salina, KS.

This is where others gave me information on my axes.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306841

 

[coleman10]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Here's one I'll never use. Belonged to my dad when he was a kid. What's the best method to clean this up, a little CLR and TLC?

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Anyone have a Marble's Camp Axe?

I'm thinking of ordering one.

Bill

I have an old No. 5 Marbles:

And here are a few of my other Hatchets/axes that have interesting features:

a double bit Black Raven Kelly - narrow bit so probably for hardwood.

I wasn't sure if the etching would show so I tried a rubbing of it:

My overall favorite style head, Hewing hatchets. one side is flat, and they have a hardened inlaid insert in the flat side and hammer face, so they hold an edge better, and the hammer face doesn't ding over so much.

The one with the 30" handle is my camp "axe". the other is NOS (lots of "shelf wear" though) and has an edge like a razor. I have some smaller than my camp axe's head, but this one is my biggest. I'd like to find one more this size and give it the long handle.

The big one:

A 1944 US army issue hatchet:

A Plomb made Boy Scout hatchet:

And a Winchester hatchet:

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Here's one I'll never use. Belonged to my dad when he was a kid. What's the best method to clean this up, a little CLR and TLC?

I would tape the wood and go it the head with a fine wire wheel lightly.

Then remove the tape and clean the wood with Murphy's oil soap.

Lightly oil both with BLO.

 

[Canoe50]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I picked this one up a few days ago & still need to clean it up. One thing I've never seen before is the "teeth" built into the eye that bite into the handle to help secure it. You can see the 3 on the left side in the picture. (there's also 3 on the right that don't show up as well in the pic) Was this something commonly done with a particular maker because I can't find any markings anywhere on the head?
Anyone have any idea who the manufacturer might be? It appears to a well made axe.

 

[DuroChrome]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I have an old zenith I found in the garden shed of the house I purchased. I found an old hardware store locally that has NOS axe (and hammer, scythe, etc.) handles from 20-60 years old. I added ann NOS handle to the zenith and use it to chop wood. You'll have to pardon the rope and electrical tape but the learning curve using an axe with such a narrow cutting face is steep. I have broken a handle and so has my father. Luckily I bought six handles.

 

[DuroChrome]

Re: Let's see your axe's

A pair of NOS Kelly Woodslashers I purchased at the same store. The owner has some really amazing old tools that aren't for sale.

 

[CalsXS2]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Here's an old Belknap Hardware ax that I've had for at least 20 years. I bought it when I was collecting John Primble pocket knifes,,,that were sold through Belknap Hardware.

You guys ever hear of this company?

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

Here's an old Belknap Hardware ax that I've had for at least 20 years. I bought it when I was collecting John Primble pocket knifes,,,that were sold through Belknap Hardware.

You guys ever hear of this company?

For sure! Belknap Is renowned, Much like Shapleigh's hardware in St. Louis Or Blish-Mitz. Makers would make and stamp tools just for those big hardware stores. There names and brands became house hold names. Shapleigh's at least in my neck of the woods was TOPS!. You may have heard of a few of there brands. KEEN KUTTER and Diamond Edge. Shapleigh's bought out Simmon's around 1900 if I remember right. Belknap was right there with them! Do you know if they are still in the hardware business? Shapleigh's unfortunately aren't . Blish-Mitz are! So many of the mom & pop's are gone. My local one, Wyeth hardware closed a decade or so ago. A sad day but a great sale! Lots of NOS items. If you are lucky enough to have an old hardware store in your area... support them! And shop for one of those NOS items buried of a back shelf!

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I have an old No. 5 Marbles:

And here are a few of my other Hatchets/axes that have interesting features:

a double bit Black Raven Kelly - narrow bit so probably for hardwood.

I wasn't sure if the etching would show so I tried a rubbing of it:

My overall favorite style head, Hewing hatchets. one side is flat, and they have a hardened inlaid insert in the flat side and hammer face, so they hold an edge better, and the hammer face doesn't ding over so much.

The one with the 30" handle is my camp "axe". the other is NOS (lots of "shelf wear" though) and has an edge like a razor. I have some smaller than my camp axe's head, but this one is my biggest. I'd like to find one more this size and give it the long handle.

The big one:

A 1944 US army issue hatchet:

A Plomb made Boy Scout hatchet:

And a Winchester hatchet:

Some how Outlaw I knew you would have a great stock of good ol' axe's.!

 

[topop101]

Re: Let's see your axe's

I picked up a Plumb Victory boys axe this weekend. The handle is cracked right down the belly of the grain. I'm not sure I want to replace the handle yet. I may just clean it up a bit and keep it in my truck box. It's not too beat up .