- Joined
- Nov 22, 2011
- Messages
- 308
Hey folks, here's an axe project I thought I'd share. My brother really likes the older axes I've restored and use so I thought a good boy's axe user would be a cool xmas gift from big brother. So let's get started. The axe head I got was a Collins and in very good shape. In fact I don't think it was used much if any. Below is how it arrived
As you can see the final edge was never put on. So that was the first step. Getting rid of that dull secondary bevel and putting that nice convex on it
I've had this handle a couple years now. It had pretty good grain and at the time I just bought few of them. As most hardware store handles the shoulder area is very clublike. Way too thick.
I like getting the head set where I like it. Then working down the shoulder and sides. Once you have the spot you know where to start removing wood. Here's a few shots showing the fitting and thinning work
I used a rasp on the sides
now working on sanding it down
looking much better, sanded off the light varnish it had
setting the head. Since this won't be my axe and I know my brother doesn't know much about hanging axes. I decided to take every extra precaution to ensure the head doesn't come loose. I left a good 1/3" sticking out the top and I put a little wood glue on the wedge, and got a very tight fit
This True Temper hewing hatchet is the best tool I have for setting metal wedges. It weighs over 2lbs and the flat square poll is perfect for driving it in even.
That head won't be coming loose or off anytime soon
Now for my favorite part. Linseed oil
I love watching the wood come to life
a good fit. No gaps
here you can see how the thinning worked out. It's where it should be and feels great when you choke up on it.
Well I still plan to clean up the shoulder a bit more with light sanding. Some of the rasp cuts went a bit deep. But other than that and few more coats of oil, and a sheath and it'll be done. I'll do a post within the next couple weeks swinging it a little to make sure the edge profile is where it needs to be. I grabbed a piece of seasoned elm to see how it would curl.
works pretty good so far. And that's just the file edge, haven't even touched a stone to it yet
Thanks for looking
As you can see the final edge was never put on. So that was the first step. Getting rid of that dull secondary bevel and putting that nice convex on it
I've had this handle a couple years now. It had pretty good grain and at the time I just bought few of them. As most hardware store handles the shoulder area is very clublike. Way too thick.
I like getting the head set where I like it. Then working down the shoulder and sides. Once you have the spot you know where to start removing wood. Here's a few shots showing the fitting and thinning work
I used a rasp on the sides
now working on sanding it down
looking much better, sanded off the light varnish it had
setting the head. Since this won't be my axe and I know my brother doesn't know much about hanging axes. I decided to take every extra precaution to ensure the head doesn't come loose. I left a good 1/3" sticking out the top and I put a little wood glue on the wedge, and got a very tight fit
This True Temper hewing hatchet is the best tool I have for setting metal wedges. It weighs over 2lbs and the flat square poll is perfect for driving it in even.
That head won't be coming loose or off anytime soon
Now for my favorite part. Linseed oil
I love watching the wood come to life
a good fit. No gaps
here you can see how the thinning worked out. It's where it should be and feels great when you choke up on it.
Well I still plan to clean up the shoulder a bit more with light sanding. Some of the rasp cuts went a bit deep. But other than that and few more coats of oil, and a sheath and it'll be done. I'll do a post within the next couple weeks swinging it a little to make sure the edge profile is where it needs to be. I grabbed a piece of seasoned elm to see how it would curl.
works pretty good so far. And that's just the file edge, haven't even touched a stone to it yet
Thanks for looking
