Advice on restoring Norlund Nessmuk double bit hatchet

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pullrich

Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
863
I found this little Norlund beauty rusting away in one of those antique malls and now trying to pretty it up.

Has some serious pitting and real stubborn rust, I think it is. I started with a soak in vinegar which took a lot of the mess off. Since then have been hitting it with 320 sandpaper and a wire brush bit fitted in my drill press. Its just not quite getting the hard dark layers off, I think you can see what I mean in the pic. I can sort of chip off the toughest stuff with a chisel but am looking for a more thorough and swift way to clean this thing up. Should I just hit it enough on my grinder to be rid of the pitting and such (I worry about sanding off the logo, and burning the edge)? Or if anyone thinks it would be better with LESS clean up by all means let me know what you think. Thank you!

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I think it would be better with less clean up - a big part of having a vintage axe is that it looks like vintage axe. I have a soft spot for Norlund, so I wouldn't work out the pitting at the risk of removing the logo.

I also personally like the gunmetal finish left by vinegar. I've restored vintage woodworking planes that required several rounds of acid cleanup, so you might need to do a couple iterations to get the rust out of the pitting - but know that the physical pitting will remain unless you take down the entire surface. You can just hit the pitted areas, after a bath, with a brass or copper wheel in a rotary tool. Then another quick bath to even out the patina.

Options:
-another round of the vinegar bath
-citric acid bath, which I prefer to vinegar. You can mix it stronger and it doesn't stick
-evaporust (naval jelly, phosphoric acid) in a spot application
-send it to me, I like norlunds and don't have a little double like this.
 
Thanks for the tips. I'm going to give it another round of vinegar bath then call it good. Earlier today I got a new wire brush bit and fired up my drill, but still not taking of the raised patina flecks, just polishes the steel around the flecks. Meant to stay I guess
 
Actually functionally sharp but with some minor pitting. Its second vinegar bath will be done tonight. I'll soon rework the edges with files and paper. Picked up a 16" handle that should give an ok fit.
 
The vinegar did the trick...thanks again.

Now for a handle. The eye is just under .5", and is 1.75" long. Not seeing any examples like that. if anyone has ideas there would appreciate it.
 
make one yourself!
a piece of timber,a drawknife,carving knife,saw,rasp and sandpaper,it'll be lot of fun!
 
If you'd rather have a factory made handle, drop by one of the big handle stores like House Handle or Hickory Handle Store. If anybody carries the right thing, it's one of those two.
 
Thanks guys. I'll probably buy a factory model, a bit oversized at the eye, and shave it down. Will share results.
 
Hi Pull,

Nice re-store job, your Norlund looks good! This past Spring (2013) I started my journey seeking old Axes/Hatchets. I got lucky right out the gate! My very first find was a very nice condition Norlund Saddle Cruiser double bit Axe head.
Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Thanks, its ITEM 1016 at househandle.com if youre looking for a handle. I chopped it down to 14" and shaved a lot off of the handle itself, including the eye end of course.
 
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