Check out my double bit axe rebuild...

jmj3esq

jmj3esq

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Joined
Mar 2, 2023
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I grabbed this awesome double bit axe head out of my father-in-law's steel scrap pile before he sold it. It was deeply pitted with rust and in very poor condition. But it's awesome shape drew me in. I salvaged it and went to work. First starting with a grinder and gradually progressing to a sander and then by hand. I have it down to a fine 220 grit and I think it looks perfect. There are a few very minor pits and hits I didn't quite get down to, but overall I'm very pleased. I paired it with a 32" long hickory handle and stained it a light walnut color.

I've thought about going down further to 320 or 400 or even 800 to get a mirror, but I'm afraid the few flaws that remain will show even more. I think I'll keep it where it's at.

Let me know what you think of this job. It was my first experience with an axe head. I'd love to try this bad boy out, but am afraid to mess up my polish job. lol

IF ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE MAKER/ORIGIN/YEAR OF THIS AXE PLEASE LET ME KNOW.


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Beachlogger said:
Woodings Verona 2006 I think
Click to expand...
Was WV still around?
I was thinking True American from Ames true temper, they made axes till fairly recently ( might still ? ) that were stamped like this as well.
Either way, definitely 2006 and I have absolutely no complaints about the axe having been ground on and polished up...ect.

FYI to the OP, that head was probably not as pitted as you may think.
They didn't/ don't spend a lot of time on these after their forged, and most of that is likely how it left the factory.
 
I recall that Woodings-Verona survived into the 2000s. 2006 may have been their last year. There is very little info about the closure on the internet.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Was WV still around?
I was thinking True American from Ames true temper, they made axes till fairly recently ( might still ? ) that were stamped like this as well.
Either way, definitely 2006 and I have absolutely no complaints about the axe having been ground on and polished up...ect.

FYI to the OP, that head was probably not as pitted as you may think.
They didn't/ don't spend a lot of time on these after their forged, and most of that is likely how it left the factory.
Click to expand...

It was in fact severely pitted and covered in rust when I first found it. The first pic I posted is after i had taken a wire wheel to it. I do see what you are talking about regarding the surface of the steel. I figured they were cast by the looks of the bubbled/orange-peel looking surface. It took a lot to knock down and get smooth. Thanks for the info!
 
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