Axe hanging questions

V

VolundoftheForge

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Jan 3, 2012
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Hey guys, so I was talking to M3mphis about axe recommendations for my first real axe and he offered to send me a vintage head for free! :D Only problem is, as this is my first axe, I'm not sure the best way to go about it. I'll likely be doing it once I get to our ranch in TX, but we don't really have any power-tools so it looks like I'll be going old school. Since I have no clue how to do this or what a good haft would be to buy for it, I ask you guys for help. I was thinking I may use a generic haft from a hardware store, but from what I understand this is a beauty as far as axe heads go and I want to make her look beautiful. Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
I'm not an expert or anything. I just like to fix up old axes. I would just look and see if you can get a good handle at the local hardware and use that. I have hafted axes just using a cheap Stanley surform plane, sandpaper, and a rubber mallet. It's possible to do a nice job with just those tools. Now I use an electric palm sander and/or a spokeshave. I don't own a belt sander.
 
It's possible to find a decent handle at a hardware store. I see good ones in there from time to time. Most visits I don't see any worth buying. The AA grade handles from House Handle are a pretty good bet. Tennessee Hickory also makes some nice handles but they tend to be on the fat side and need some slimming. I think Tennessee Hickory has slightly better wood than House but House does a better job of shaping and slimming a handle. If you want to use the handle straight off the shelf then House is your best bet. But if you don't mind some spokeshave and rasp work then you can create a better handle from a TH handle. Best to find a local dealer for Tennessee Hickory and then hand select your handle.
 
Volund, I hope you are not disappointed, but this axe head isn't much of a beauty queen. It should make a great user, and I think its a good example of a vintage American axe with a high centerline. Unfortunately though, it does have a little mushrooming on the poll and the some marks that look like they came from vice jaws. Here's a couple pics I just snapped with my phone.

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I don't know what I was thinking when I said that I'd ship it today, because the post office was closed of course! I'll ship it tomorrow along with two elm wedges that will fit it, one thinner and one thicker.

Also, all my new handles have come from hardware stores. I have yet to order a handle online. I just pick through them. The link boy's axe handles that I find locally tend to be quite good actually.
 
She looks mighty fine, nothing some elbow grease can't polish up. ;) Need to look in restoring her and making her pretty again. Not really sure how to restore it or such, but from what I read the True Temper Flints are mighty fine heads.
 
VolundoftheForge said:
.....from what I read the True Temper Flints are mighty fine heads.
Click to expand...

Indeed they are. And that was is rust free and just has a little filing on the poll to do. With a little effort you'll have an absolutely first class axe. And if that's a boy's axe then yes, Link handles from your local hardware store will do fine. Several of us have mentioned finding great boy's and cruiser handles from Link.
 
Its about 2 pounds 3.5 ounces. My wife got a kitchen scale for Christmas! :D
 
I do all my hanging work with a bench vise, a piece of old fire hose and a farrier's rasp. And some sandpaper for fine work on the handle. No need for power tools unless the head is seriously beat up and you're short on time... As for the process, as has been said before on this forum, find a pdf copy of An Axe to Grind and print it off before you leave for texas. It'll walk you right through it.
 
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