- Joined
- Aug 21, 2013
- Messages
- 3,898
So, I have this boys axe I picked up at an "antique" store - $7.80 or so after a discount from the owner for buying multiple tools. Had to work for it as the the section with tools had a path about a foot n half wide, caged cabinets on one side, open shelves about 3 feet deep, both about 8 feet high. Anyway here is the axe itself:
Needed some cleaning - that is mostly finished, mushrooming taken back, sharp edges mostly smoothed out.
The new handle is already underway and is looking good. Looks like someone hit it with a grinder or other electric tool as there are what I call "idiot marks" where the last user slipped a bit n put some marks in it on the cheek on one side.
I say "idiot mark" as I've done the same sort of thing when using a metal punch to remove take-down levers on my firearms - totally avoidable and purely user carelessness lol.
Anyway, trying to put a good grind on it and have removed enough metal to make the profile what I wanted. It's plenty sharp now but have some questions. Here is where it stands:
Where am I at in your estimations? It came to me with a worn toe and some nicks in the edge. I've left the toe and heal pretty much intact and focused on the main portion or the bit.
I feel that if I take it any further to remove all of the grind marks that I'm going to have to remove more metal overall and end up with having to reprofile it quite a bit. From what you see here, what would you do? Take it back further? Use it as intended and remove more material as necessary in future sharpenings? Using 3 hand files and a quick once over with 220 grit just to smooth out marks on the edge.
It does have the "ridges" in the eye and seems like a solid piece without a maker's mark.
Plan to use it or potentially gift it to my father. I sent a Collins boys axe home with him to give to my brother for his birthday - my brother mentioned the old man almost didn't pass it on to him because he liked it so much.
Pretty handles are great but an axe with out a proper edge doesn't sit well with me.
Any ideas or suggestions (even leave it alone) are appreciated.
Needed some cleaning - that is mostly finished, mushrooming taken back, sharp edges mostly smoothed out.
The new handle is already underway and is looking good. Looks like someone hit it with a grinder or other electric tool as there are what I call "idiot marks" where the last user slipped a bit n put some marks in it on the cheek on one side.
I say "idiot mark" as I've done the same sort of thing when using a metal punch to remove take-down levers on my firearms - totally avoidable and purely user carelessness lol.
Anyway, trying to put a good grind on it and have removed enough metal to make the profile what I wanted. It's plenty sharp now but have some questions. Here is where it stands:
Where am I at in your estimations? It came to me with a worn toe and some nicks in the edge. I've left the toe and heal pretty much intact and focused on the main portion or the bit.
I feel that if I take it any further to remove all of the grind marks that I'm going to have to remove more metal overall and end up with having to reprofile it quite a bit. From what you see here, what would you do? Take it back further? Use it as intended and remove more material as necessary in future sharpenings? Using 3 hand files and a quick once over with 220 grit just to smooth out marks on the edge.
It does have the "ridges" in the eye and seems like a solid piece without a maker's mark.
Plan to use it or potentially gift it to my father. I sent a Collins boys axe home with him to give to my brother for his birthday - my brother mentioned the old man almost didn't pass it on to him because he liked it so much.
Pretty handles are great but an axe with out a proper edge doesn't sit well with me.
Any ideas or suggestions (even leave it alone) are appreciated.
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