Breck's Victor Boy's axe

I sometimes wonder if these helves that have been varnished have varnish that gets in the kerf. That sure would explain way one sometimes has a wedge that just doesn't stay put. I'll bet that your cleaning out and cutting the kerf deeper may solve your problem.

I started using Swell lock awhile ago. I'll have to check out my kerfs more carefully now if the handle has been previously varnished. I have never used BLO on a wedge to hang an axe. A varnished kerf with BLO added to a wedge would make for a slippery set up.

Just thinking about it, Tom
 
I have heard that it is wrong to drive the wedge in to tight and that you can damage the head. Has anyone here experienced this? I didn't have anyone teach me the correct way to hang a head so I guess I just do it my way. I drive the wedge home for sure.
I recently purchased a Kelly jersey off the flea bay and when I recieved it there was a crack in the side of the head about dead center of the eye. It was a new break on a old head. It also had a old handle that had been rewedged to tighten it up. The crack just went from the top of the eye to about half way down the width of the head. It looks for all the world like that wedge broke the eye.
 
garry3 said:
I have heard that it is wrong to drive the wedge in to tight and that you can damage the head. Has anyone here experienced this? I didn't have anyone teach me the correct way to hang a head so I guess I just do it my way. I drive the wedge home for sure.
I recently purchased a Kelly jersey off the flea bay and when I recieved it there was a crack in the side of the head about dead center of the eye. It was a new break on a old head. It also had a old handle that had been rewedged to tighten it up. The crack just went from the top of the eye to about half way down the width of the head. It looks for all the world like that wedge broke the eye.
Click to expand...

I've heard about that, but never had it happen as well. I drive my wedges in like crazy. My "safety net" is that I never hold an axe in a vice or something when driving a wedge. I hold it in my off hand. I would think it would be difficult to over do it when you are holding it by hand. Who knows...?
 
Looks much better to me:

100_8691_zpsedf72b8c.jpg
 
garry3 said:
I have heard that it is wrong to drive the wedge in to tight and that you can damage the head. Has anyone here experienced this?
Click to expand...

I've cracked an eye before by wedging too tightly. My old True Temper broad hatchet. I suspect it had a less than perfect heat treat. I had my neighbor weld it up and I re-hung it. No problems in 4 years since.

Another way to crack an eye is to leave it out in the weather. If the handle gets soaked and then freezes it could crack the eye. I found an old hatchet in the woods with a tight handle and a cracked eye. I suspect that one was a freeze crack.
 
Looks real good Cooperhill. Seems you always have axes to play with. I think they are alot more common in your neck of the woods than mine. Then again maybe M3mphis keeps all the shops around here cleaned out ;).
Square Peg, good information to know. Thanks. I also welded up this head, keeping my fingers crossed.
 
garry3 said:
Looks real good Cooperhill. Seems you always have axes to play with. I think they are alot more common in your neck of the woods than mine. Then again maybe M3mphis keeps all the shops around here cleaned out ;).
Square Peg, good information to know. Thanks. I also welded up this head, keeping my fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

Nah, sadly I have purchased very few axes in the past several months. You are right though, Chris seems to be tripping over them!
 
So it is possible to crack an axe by wedging. This is not the same axe as in the original post. It was a Knot klipper CT. It was cracked slightly on the bottom of the eye. this top crack is new after I wedged it. I paid $0 for the axe so no worries.

3f526366789311e2ac7c22000a1f96a8_7.jpg
 
Dang. I've got a real nice Maine pattern that has a similar crack. Almost looks like a bad forge weld, or at least what someone who has no metalworking experience like me would think was a bad forge weld. Have to try to get if fixed... At least if memory serves you have a few more connecticuts to keep yourself busy with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top