2.25lb "Made in W. Germany"

M3mphis · Mar 2, 2012

Hey fellas. I just finished this one up today. My best bud moved out of state a couple years ago. He's in town, and this evening I'm going to give him this bad boy. It turned out really nice, so nice I kinda want to keep it.

This one was an ugly beast when I got it. Flaky rust an 1/8 inch thick. I gave it a blue and bleach finish.

Please pardon my indulgence in photo overload!

Thanks!

Wood Splitter · Mar 2, 2012

That is gorgeous! Very, very nice job. I'm sure your friend will love it...if you can let 'er go

Square_peg · Mar 2, 2012

Suh-weeeet!

Steve Tall · Mar 2, 2012

Great finish and hafting. I like the no-shoulder haft.

trailmaker · Mar 2, 2012

Wow that's awesome. The first axe I ever re-hung was just like that. It seems to be good steel that holds it's edge but isn't too hard to sharpen. Someone told me these heads were made by a company called "ATCO" but I haven't verified that. I love the finish. What exactly is a blue and bleach finish?

M3mphis · Mar 2, 2012

trailmaker said:
Wow that's awesome. The first axe I ever re-hung was just like that. It seems to be good steel that holds it's edge but isn't too hard to sharpen. Someone told me these heads were made by a company called "ATCO" but I haven't verified that. I love the finish. What exactly is a blue and bleach finish?

Thanks, Dude. Gun blued it and then soaked it in bleach. I followed Kentucky's tutorial. Which can be found in this WIP:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/915734-Virtual-BBQ-Camp-Axe-Tomahawk-WIP

Operator1975 · Mar 3, 2012

Nicely done.

cattledog · Mar 3, 2012

The more photos the better.
I like the lines on that one. Looks like a real nice user.
That handle is a good looker too.
Keep the ax take your bud to hooters

M3mphis · Mar 3, 2012

Thanks, Gents!

I gave the axe to my buddy last night, and he was friggin stoked. He couldn't put the thing down. It was awesome.

Pipeman · Mar 3, 2012

Nice axe Bro, great gift. Love the nessie, my favourite style of
knife.

R

L4NE4 · Mar 3, 2012

I just now saw this. You did a great job!

Operator1975 · Mar 3, 2012

Memphis -

I got to hand it to you, giving away these axes - I know you did it at Christmas, and now again. That shows that you are a man of the axe and the lore, the history, the presence, function, education of the tool.

I salute you sir. Well done.

M3mphis · Mar 3, 2012

Operator1975 said:
Memphis -

I got to hand it to you, giving away these axes - I know you did it at Christmas, and now again. That shows that you are a man of the axe and the lore, the history, the presence, function, education of the tool.

I salute you sir. Well done.

Thanks, Dude. That's kind. I've given away seven axes and restored two others for other owners in the last year. I have two axes of another guy's sitting on my work bench now. It is pretty gratifying when the recipient listens to what I know about the history of the axe in question. When I can tell that the information is not really all that interesting, it makes me want my axe back. But that's only happened once. The others have been a real joy.

Thanks, again.

bearhunter · Mar 6, 2012

Operator1975 said:
Memphis -

I got to hand it to you, giving away these axes - I know you did it at Christmas, and now again. That shows that you are a man of the axe and the lore, the history, the presence, function, education of the tool.

I salute you sir. Well done.

yeah, me too

Broady · Mar 6, 2012

Does anyone know if you can get a W Germany axe in a 4# flavor? I've only been able to find 1.5s and 2.25s. Also, who actually manufactured this axe? Lastly, nice job on that handle M3mphis...

scruffuk · Mar 6, 2012

Really lovely job on that. The helve looks brilliant.

I'm not surprised your friend was stoked.

G-pig · Mar 6, 2012

M3mphis said:
Thanks, Dude. That's kind. I've given away seven axes and restored two others for other owners in the last year. I have two axes of another guy's sitting on my work bench now. It is pretty gratifying when the recipient listens to what I know about the history of the axe in question. When I can tell that the information is not really all that interesting, it makes me want my axe back. But that's only happened once. The others have been a real joy.

Thanks, again.

I have gifted a grand total of ONE axe. Gave it to the only person I trust with one, and watched how he handled an axe for a good long while before I did give it to him. I don't trust most people sadly!

trailmaker · Mar 6, 2012

Broady said:
Does anyone know if you can get a W Germany axe in a 4# flavor? I've only been able to find 1.5s and 2.25s. Also, who actually manufactured this axe? Lastly, nice job on that handle M3mphis...

I've got a "Made in W.Germany" double bit that's marked 3.5 but weighs in at about 4.

M3mphis · Mar 6, 2012

bearhunter said:
yeah, me too

Thanks, Bro.

Broady said:
Does anyone know if you can get a W Germany axe in a 4# flavor? I've only been able to find 1.5s and 2.25s. Also, who actually manufactured this axe? Lastly, nice job on that handle M3mphis...

I have a 3.5lb single bit, "Trumpeter Axe" made in W. Germany. I gave it's match away recently: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/925951-Just-finished-3-5lb-quot-Trumpeter-Axe-quot-Made-in-W-Germany?highlight=trumpeter

I have read that these were likely made by Iltis. I've also read that they were made by ATCO, as trailmaker stated. I've read that they were made by Hults Bruks. I have no idea, but I'd like to get to the bottom of it. My personal hunch is that they were made by Johann Wiebelhaus & Co. That is the maker of the "Trumpeter Axe" linked above. If you compared the two stamps, the "Made in W. Germany" looks pretty darn identical. Like I said, that's just a hunch.

Keep an eye on ebay, you'll see one eventually. Or make me an offer I can't refuse...

scruffuk said:
Really lovely job on that. The helve looks brilliant.

I'm not surprised your friend was stoked.

Thanks, Yorkie!

G-pig said:
I have gifted a grand total of ONE axe. Gave it to the only person I trust with one, and watched how he handled an axe for a good long while before I did give it to him. I don't trust most people sadly!

Give them a good warning and let them live and learn. The same people drive 2 and 3 ton hunks of steel around at ridiculously high speeds...hopefully they aren't completely dense.

trailmaker said:
I've got a "Made in W.Germany" double bit that's marked 3.5 but weighs in at about 4.

That's a sweet piece. I haven't seen many in double bit fashion. I have notice that most of them I have seen have that "wavy" look around the eye.

markv · Aug 2, 2012

this thread deserves a bump.
take a look at the blue and bleach entry.
i am gonna give the bleach idea a try. should take care of that raw look on an axe head after sanding out pits and sharpening leaves it shiny and prone to r__t
sort of like the old time gun makers did when they browned a barrel with Nitric acid

buzz