Let's see your axes

[paulm12]

picked up these 3 axe heads with some other tools. I'm not much into these tools, but I couldn't pass them up.

 

[silly]

Found this one in a barn

Norlund Camper


-silly

 

[va.grouseman]

Schiada96, you got some catching up to do.---1 post in 4 years.---If you don't speed up, we won't hear from you again until 2022.

 

[Catfishdan]

Here's something a bit different. I recently tried my hand at casting a bronze axe head. I still need to find a good chunk of wood for the handle before I can test it out. It looks cool, but there's gotta be a reason they stopped making bronze tools thousands of years ago...



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[va.grouseman]

Yep, iron/steel.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's very cool CFD, but yeah. what VA said.... Steel>iron>bronze>brass>copper...

 

[Catfishdan]

That's very cool CFD, but yeah. what VA said.... Steel>iron>bronze>brass>copper...

I know, I know. It was mostly just to see if I could do it. I have no illusions of felling a tree or repelling an invading horde.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I didn't realize we had an axe thread here. I split all my firewood with axes. have since I was a kid, Dad owned a wood heat house. swinging a collins maul was his way of keeping me out of trouble...

years later I got into tree service and selling firewood. I can out split a hydraulic splitter for the first hour. my axe of choice? a Mega Maul like Drives posted. bought in the 90's it wasn't the longer handled Stoich or however it was spelled. since someone else posted a fiskars and Drives asked how it performs....


my axe of choice now? a fiskars X27. 36" handle, 4-1/2 pounds. Ive split 5 cord a year with it for the last 10 years. never given me a bit of grief with the non traditional handle. I found this after buying a house and being on the chainsaw and Hearth forums and people raved about them. having used many of other axes in my 38 years of existence and primary source of heat being wood since I was born, I honestly can say that no one makes an axe that compares for splitting. for chopping down trees, not too sure about that. I'm a chainsaw guy.


with that said... I'Ve tried my hand buying a few others, as well as restoring my grandfathers PLuMBs, and acquiring a few others along the years. The fiskars x25 was a 27-28" handle. I didn't prefer that one. Gave it to my brother which he loves. I typically won't split on a splitting block and the shorter handle gave my shins and feet fits while blowing through wood. I picked up the X15 campers axe, as well as the X7 hatchet just because they X27 works so well.

OF my old axles...my grandfathers plumb. My father 6lb collins maul. a GransforsBruk felling axe, and a couple of no name boys axes, hatchets and normal axes. about christmas time I picked up a couple Husqvarana's. one is the very heavy hatchet and the carpenters axe. I have not used thus much, but broke them out to fit the handles to me this past week. I'll get most of them together in my tool box setup instead of piled in random corners of the garage.and post some pics.

I did a Youtube video a few years ago comparing a Fiskars X27 to a Stihl Pro splitting axe, and a Husqvarna S2000 splitting axe. and heres a link to the Fiskars if y'all want to watch and can stumble through my nervousness on camera.

so for now, heres the newest Husqvarnas.

 

[Copymutt]

National news last night had a human interest spot on a guy that transitioned from financial advisor to axe throwing indoor range. Holy cow, looked like a kick. Think archery or shooting range. If he plays it right could be a good franchise.
Just did a search for him and it looks like it's already a big thing nationally, never encountered it B4.
Based on my ikon I should be able to throw 5 or six at a time.
Jim

 

[Outlawmws]

I was into throwing when I was in High school and a few years after. I got quite good at hatchets, middling good at knives, and discovered axes were actually pretty easy to do.

I haven't done it in years other than to demo it for my son a time or two. He's interested in learning though! You really need a place for it however! a throwing range is a good idea! Hmm combining those with archery might work out...

 

[Outlander]

my axe of choice now? a fiskars X27. 36" handle, 4-1/2 pounds.

Added to Amazon wish list. I go through a cord a year at the cottage. I'm an old office guy, I can use the help with going for a mechanical splitter!

 

[Miller72]

Miller, you don't mind doing it the old hard way do you.---But that must be satisfying to just take your time and plug along at your own pace.

I've got to ask two things but you don't have t answer.---I'm just curious.


(1)---That looks mighty Grousey in that hill in the back ground.---And I'm referring to Ruffed Grouse.---Am I right?

(2)---Are those Leland Cypress or Thuja Green Giants in the 1st and 4th pics?

Hi va.grouseman!

To happily answer...and I do apologize for my delayed response and not getting back on the forum for a bit.

The land is full of gouse/pheasant, and deer.
It has always been farmed, tobacco and potatos most recently.
The canal then RR (remnants) goes up thru behind me from New Haven CT thru to Northampton Ma and beyond to NH and points north.

They are Thuja.
I am not familiar with green giants but here we have predominantly planted...Dark American Arbivitae or the Emerald Green...of which might be the same as you refer to as thuja green giants.

If I had to guess I would say they are the Dark Americsn variety...but I will take a look next time I pass thru there.
I myself usually take notice of the Emerald Green Variery for it is used less in landscaping, but more for its sheen.

Excellent!

 

[Miller72]

I made this score in early February...

•Disston Crosscut 5&1/2'
•Collins Legitimus, Civil Defense Fireaxe
•Collins Legitimus Trade Axe
•Millers Falls Hatchet
•3&1/2lb. Swamper on 25" Adirondack Handle

Then this one here a couple weeks later...

•Rafting Peavey about 36"
•Collins Legitimus carpenter/roofing hatchet
•Kelly Vanadium carpenter hatchet
•Sears carpenter hatchet
•Stanley Linesman Hatcher
•Woods Verona 3.5lb michigan/cedar
•Mann 3.5lb Michigan cedar
•Collins Legitimus Brush Hook
•Collins Homestead Jersey
•Disston Perforated Lance Tooth

I have managed the time to resurrect, save and reuse the handle and rehang the Swamper on the Adirondack!
25" Adirondack • 3&1/2lb Swamper • 4&1/8lb total

 

[va.grouseman]

Miller72, Thanks for the response.---I thought that looked really Grousy in the background.---I recon only a diehard Ruffed Grouse hunter could appreciate terrain so thick that a rabbit would have second thoughts about.---The thicker the better.---I've waded through underbrush so thick with my hunting buddies that when we came out we were bleeding from a hundred cuts.---When the day warms up, you start taking off clothes and the briers start sawing.---Even the dogs were bleeding from their ears, their feet, and the worst place possible.

I thought those were Thuja's.---Thuja's are prettier than Leland Cypress IMO, and are not harassed by deer like the Leland's are.---Plus they grow 3 to 5 feet a year so you don't have to wait so long for maturity.---And they look so pretty with snow on them and yet will not break under the strain.---Here's a pic of mine.---They're about 10' tall.---I throw the fertilizer to them and they are growing about 4' a year.

You sure do things the hard way but you should be in good health.

 

[Miller72]

Legitimus Civil Defense 6lb Fireaxe

 

[code4pay]

Here is one I picked up from the local recycling center today
I have some other users but none of this quality.

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[Outlawmws]

Swedish steel is good stuff!

 

[Miller72]

Newest older connie additions to my collection.
2 Kelly's, 2 Collins' and a Dayton pattern stamped with a keystone.

 

[jonshonda]

Picked this one up yesterday. Shapleigh Hardware Diamond Edge

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[Miller72]

Kelly Registered

 

[Miller72]

26" hickory
3 3/4 lbs.
PLUMB
Cedar Pattern

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice!

 

[Catfishdan]

I found an old norlund hatchet on a trash pile the other day. I cleaned it up and put a new handle on it. Seems like it'll be a nice little camping hatchet.




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[Shootinok]

How about a tiny axe?
I found this little jem in a box of misc. junk my F.I.L. left behind in an old shed.
No handle and It was so rusty I thought it was a wedge. When I cleaned it up I found it to be so cool I decided to bring it back to life. My son made the handle from a piece of walnut and I made the sheath. It’s small enough to carry on your belt.



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[ReggieR]

Before I even opened the thread I though" CouponCuttetzRus"
Here's mine

 

[MissileBear]

Here are 2 projects I haven't gotten around to yet....both garage sale finds that were $3 or less.

First is a Barker Rose & Kimball Cayuga 5lb double bit w/ the small logo. The embossing is really weak but the axe itself is in nice shape. I figure this will probably be a good user once I put a new handle on it.

Second is a WWII US Army(?) Flint Edge 2 lb hatchet. Previous owner got a little crazy sharpening it, but I can work it back into shape.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My son made the handle from a piece of walnut and I made the sheath. It’s small enough to carry on your belt.

Reminiscent of the US Army M1910 hand axe, worn on the web belt in WWII by infantry, corps of engineers, and just about every other branch. Nice job on the handle (lovely grain) and the sheath. I especially like the sheath. Did you model it on a sheath you have/saw? Or come up with that design on your own?

 

[Shootinok]

Reminiscent of the US Army M1910 hand axe, worn on the web belt in WWII by infantry, corps of engineers, and just about every other branch. Nice job on the handle (lovely grain) and the sheath. I especially like the sheath. Did you model it on a sheath you have/saw? Or come up with that design on your own?

Thank you for the compliment!
Sheath was modeled after one I saw on the web but then could not find again so I had to go from memory. Plus a combination of knives and holsters with belt slots.

 

[Outlawmws]

How about a tiny axe?
I found this little jem in a box of misc. junk my F.I.L. left behind in an old shed.
No handle and It was so rusty I thought it was a wedge. When I cleaned it up I found it to be so cool I decided to bring it back to life. My son made the handle from a piece of walnut and I made the sheath. It’s small enough to carry on your belt.



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I LOVE the leather sheath and handle! I hope the walnut holds up. I can't recall seeing a walnut handle before.

 

[MissileBear]

I LOVE the leather sheath and handle! I hope the walnut holds up. I can't recall seeing a walnut handle before.

Walnut is pretty brittle as far as woods go and is not recommended for full sized tool handles, although it might be fine for a small hatchet. Personally it would worry me a bit. They used to make a lot of gunstocks out of walnut, and many of these suffered cracks and chips.

Hickory, Maple, Ash, Yew, Thornbeam, Osage Orange, Pecan, Elm, some Oaks, and even Locust make good handles.

 

[bdbecker]

I can't believe I missed this thread - lots of great info! Here's my first foray into axe restoration from last fall. Single-bit is a Kelly True Temper, the double-bit is a Keen Kutter. Kelly made axes for Keen Kutter for a time, so the double-bit could have been made by Kelly - pure speculation on my part, but they make a nice pair. Both have House Handles.

View media item 69409
Here's what I started with:

View media item 68787
View media item 68788
Both were purchased from the local ReStore for a total of $18. Interestingly enough, I had actually purchased the double-bit and had it stashed in the garage for quite awhile before I found the single.

View media item 68789
And my Dad keeps giving me more axes and hatchets as he finds them. I believe the small one is a newer (relatively speaking) Boy Scout hatchet, the medium is a 2.5lb boys axe, and the larger ones are conventional 3.5lb axes of unknown origin. I've also got another ReStore find with some markings I haven't researched yet (sorry, no pics).

View media item 69410
Other projects have taken priority, but this thread has me all fired up to maybe mess around with some of these heads I've got sitting around.

 

[Outlawmws]

Walnut is pretty brittle as far as woods go and is not recommended for full sized tool handles, although it might be fine for a small hatchet. Personally it would worry me a bit. They used to make a lot of gunstocks out of walnut, and many of these suffered cracks and chips.

Hickory, Maple, Ash, Yew, Thornbeam, Osage Orange, Pecan, Elm, some Oaks, and even Locust make good handles.

How would Madrone or even a larger chunk of Manzanita work?

 

[MissileBear]

How would Madrone or even a larger chunk of Manzanita work?

No idea. I put Manzanita in my aquariums, but I've never seen a large quarter sawn/lumber grade piece of the wood since it seems to grow twisted and crooked. Manzanita is pretty hard (it's difficult to cut) but I don't know if it has the springy qualities of other handle-grade woods. It is very resistant to rot....but I only know it from a aquarium perspective.

It'd sure look nice....that redish hue and tight grain is very attractive.

I'm also unsure about Madrone....it's in the Yew family, but that doesn't really mean a whole lot wood-wise.

 

[va.grouseman]

What about Black Gum?---It's all twisted up and hard.---I'm just asking cause I've never really thought about any other handle material but Hickory until this conversation started.---And I don't know about that Osage Orange as handle material, but it's suppose to put out the highest BTU content of any wood, in a wood stove.

 

[MissileBear]

What about Black Gum?---It's all twisted up and hard.---I'm just asking cause I've never really thought about any other handle material but Hickory until this conversation started.---And I don't know about that Osage Orange as handle material, but it's suppose to put out the highest BTU content of any wood, in a wood stove.

I can't answer the question about Black Gum - I know it is very difficult to split and makes nice flooring, but I imagine it has the properties for a good handle due to the twisted gain. I know that Spotted Gum is used for axe handles in AU (it's actually a Eucalytus sp).

Osage orange makes great handles - the indigenous people of this country used it to make bows, and generally speaking anything that makes a good bow would make a good tool handle.

Here's a company that makes them out of Osage orange...it's very attractive color and grain (and expensive!):

https://thraneaxeandsawco.com/product/single-bit-axe-handles/

 

[va.grouseman]

WOW, you weren't lying about the price.

 

[Hawk136439]

Here's how she started:


And this is the final product:

 

[Jyzze]

Here's My.. 2 Kellokoski, Some Fiskars and fireaxe is Billnäs. Small black is from China.. and two billhook.. is that right? Billhook?? We call them VESURI.

 

[MissileBear]

and two billhook.. is that right? Billhook?? We call them VESURI.

Yes, Billhook is correct. It's considered a style of machete, although I've seen some large enough that I'd consider it a sword ^_^

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Holy mackerel, Thrane axe and saw company really does make some pricey handles! Are they supposed to be users or just for display? I wouldn't say that handles are disposable, but certainly won't last as long as the head itself if used with any degree of regularity and at those.price points you could pick up several nice heads. If someone knew nothing about handle making, they could still turn a tidy profit just by getting lucky and having every hundredth one turn out saleable.