Axe restoration thread

[CR888]

Great job on the axe head. But....after all that beautiful work then the re-hang with a nice wedge, what compelled you to go one step further and drive a metal wedge into the handle wedge??!! This may just be me but if I ever want (or don't want) to get wood to split, I drive metal into it. Whether it's a nail, an ax or splitting wedge, they all act the same way and crack the wood apart. I see it all the time on beautiful hung axes that were just perrrfect untill someone decides they want to drive some metal in there. If I was God almighty I'd ban those little metal wedge terrors.

 

[lead farmer]

Eye haven't posted on here in awhile but keep lookin for stuff. Dont know what these are but they were nice. No stamping othere than the wieght and scuffed up decals. Thought you might enjoy.

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[CR888]

Something purdy about them Jerseys.

 

[Stonesforbrains]

Just curious if any of you guys know what this is named/ when it was made? I am sure it’s a brush cutter, just never seen one like it. I found it out in the Dome Rock mountain range north of the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona a couple weeks ago. We were searching for section corners on the BLM land near the old Colorado River Indian Reservation. It isn’t really that old but I was a bit surprised to find any kind of cutting tool where we were. Not much to cut out there. Second photo was the actual corner of the reservation and a couple miles from where I found the strange brush cutter tool. Any info would be helpful, I’m going to hang it in my wood shed as is. The handle is really cool the way it’s desert weathered.

 

[Woodslasher]

Eye haven't posted on here in awhile but keep lookin for stuff. Dont know what these are but they were nice. No stamping othere than the wieght and scuffed up decals. Thought you might enjoy.

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Looks like some Kelly Woodslashers, good axes, decent quality. Better than what you’d get at a hardware store today by a long shot!

 

[svk]

Score from the free pile at the landfill today. This one should chop really nice, very thin profile.

 

[H-Ranch]

Just curious if any of you guys know what this is named/ when it was made? I am sure it’s a brush cutter, just never seen one like it. I found it out in the Dome Rock mountain range north of the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona a couple weeks ago. We were searching for section corners on the BLM land near the old Colorado River Indian Reservation. It isn’t really that old but I was a bit surprised to find any kind of cutting tool where we were. Not much to cut out there. Second photo was the actual corner of the reservation and a couple miles from where I found the strange brush cutter tool. Any info would be helpful, I’m going to hang it in my wood shed as is. The handle is really cool the way it’s desert weathered.

I have a similar story of finding one on a trail in Canada, where there is lots of brush to cut. Generally referred to as a Swedish brush axe. Great tool for clearing small branches. Sorry to say it may not be that old as you can sill buy them today. Depending on the handle, you could get a new blade and use that thing today.

 

[Stonesforbrains]

I have a similar story of finding one on a trail in Canada, where there is lots of brush to cut. Generally referred to as a Swedish brush axe. Great tool for clearing small branches. Sorry to say it may not be that old as you can sill buy them today. Depending on the handle, you could get a new blade and use that thing today.

Thanks for the info, I don’t have a use for it so I will just hang it up.

 

[LondonNeil]

View attachment 858389View attachment 858389Great job on the axe head. But....after all that beautiful work then the re-hang with a nice wedge, what compelled you to go one step further and drive a metal wedge into the handle wedge??!! This may just be me but if I ever want (or don't want) to get wood to split, I drive metal into it. Whether it's a nail, an ax or splitting wedge, they all act the same way and crack the wood apart. I see it all the time on beautiful hung axes that were just perrrfect untill someone decides they want to drive some metal in there. If I was God almighty I'd ban those little metal wedge terrors.

Some people, even haft makers like Smedbergs, think a metal wedge is important and provide one with their handle. I think many feel its best not to glue the wooden wedge as if the head loosens and the wood wedge isn't glued its easy to remove the wooden wedge, knock the head on further and rewedge. if done so, a small metal wedge pins the wood wedge in. however a glued wedge can be drilled out and is more secure. others seem to like that the metal spreads the wood and secures the head more and tbh I've never heard of an axe failing because the splits caused by a metal wedge, so....why not?

 

[LondonNeil]

I've messaged the shop that sold me the smeds, wit the photo from post #2100 above, and asked for their view.

 

[Hinerman]

I am replacing a handle on a maul that was given to me, nothing fancy. I notice the maul has a small lip in the eye. I am in the process of sanding the handle to make it fit in the eye. My question:

How tight should the handle be when fitting to the maul head? Should the handle slide on easily? Should it be so tight I need to hammer it in with a sledge? Somewhere in between?

Thanks in advance.

 

[LondonNeil]

tight. As tight you can, then drive the wedges in. don't hammer the head on, push it on, then hold the handle with the head dangling, and rap the end of the handle crisply with a hammer to drive it in further. you'll hear when it goes no further, and can see. then wedge it.

 

[Hinerman]

tight. As tight you can, then drive the wedges in. don't hammer the head on, push it on, then hold the handle with the head dangling, and rap the end of the handle crisply with a hammer to drive it in further. you'll hear when it goes no further, and can see. then wedge it.

Is this good? I had to use a post driver to get it this far. I’m afraid to keep beating on it.

 

[U&A]

View attachment 858389View attachment 858389Great job on the axe head. But....after all that beautiful work then the re-hang with a nice wedge, what compelled you to go one step further and drive a metal wedge into the handle wedge??!! This may just be me but if I ever want (or don't want) to get wood to split, I drive metal into it. Whether it's a nail, an ax or splitting wedge, they all act the same way and crack the wood apart. I see it all the time on beautiful hung axes that were just perrrfect untill someone decides they want to drive some metal in there. If I was God almighty I'd ban those little metal wedge terrors.

I guess ive learned to do it wrong all along[emoji2373][emoji1787]

Ill go without from now on.


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

 

[Hinerman]

Is this good? I had to use a post driver to get it this far. I’m afraid to keep beating on it.

View attachment 859941

Anybody?

 

[LondonNeil]

Yes if it's been smacked hard like that it sounds tight. The fact is not down in the shoulder is good. Shoulders are bad. Heads should tighten, not slip on until a shoulder. Friction fit is tighter and if it ever loosens, you get the wedge out, knock it on a little further and rewedge.

 

[LondonNeil]

For best results, the haft should touch all the way around the eye, no gaps. Not easy that, but that's the aim

 

[Hinerman]

Yes if it's been smacked hard like that it sounds tight. The fact is not down in the shoulder is good. Shoulders are bad. Heads should tighten, not slip on until a shoulder. Friction fit is tighter and if it ever loosens, you get the wedge out, knock it on a little further and rewedge.

Thanks

 

[svk]

Took a look at the scrounged DBA. The head has creeped up on the last owner and since it got rained on, was all swelled.

Tried to tap it on to no avail. Put it in my furnace room on top of the water heater so it can dry out a bit.

Anyone recognize that decal?

 

[LondonNeil]

I'd drill the wedge out, knock the haft out, clean the head up, dry the haft as you are but watch for warping or excessive cracking, refit the head properly, sand and blo the haft, sharpen the head.


Well actually I'd do none of that as I'd not find the time, but I'd like to do that.