Collins boy's axe

S

Square_peg

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A couple weeks ago I posted a pic of this Collins boy's axe in the 'It Follwed Me Home' thread. The flea market seller had painted it black to try to hide the rust.

Collins_Boy_s_Axe.JPG



The rust didn't bother me. It only resulted in some light pitting and a very nice patina. I cleaned it up, sharpened it and finally hung it today.

Axe1.JPG



Usually I file out any dings in the polls of the axes I restore. So many people abuse axes by pounding on the polls with a hammer. But this one only had light damage so I left it as I found it as a testament to the very little abuse it has suffered.

I coated the head with my BBT polish (beeswax, boiled linseed oil (BLO) and turpentine). The haft has three coats of BLO cut with mineral spirits for deeper penetration.

Axe2.jpg



It has convex cheeks and a nice profile. It only took minimal filing to bring it back into shape. Good thing, too, this bit is hard as heck!

Axe3.jpg



The new haft I found for it has a decent grain though not perfect.

Axe4.jpg



I like how the sharpened bit contrasts with the patina'd head.

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I took it for a test drive. It cuts well for a 2-1/4 pound axe. Those convex cheeks pop the chips right out.

This might become my new trailwork axe.

Axe6.jpg
 
that looks awesome pegs, nice work! i bet that will make a helluva trail axe... man, i need to get me a nice 'collins'...
it cracks me up when folks paint axes to hide the rust. i bought a crosscut saw once that was painted black. heck, after i got the paint off it looked nice. dont ask me why some folks do that to a perfectly good tool :confused:
 
What a really nice job Pegs. I'd be proud of that one. Excellent re-hang...but in saying that I like the look of the old haft
(apart from the hole in the end) was it no good? Great shape. A Collins that I got recently has a damaged haft. It was also very very dry. but I liked the look of it and it now looks very nice oiled up. Of course I would have to replace it if I put Kathleen into heavy work.

Keep up the good work mate. regards...Frank
 
Frank-New Zealand said:
Excellent re-hang...but in saying that I like the look of the old haft (apart from the hole in the end) was it no good? Great shape.
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We think alike, Frank. ;)

That haft had 6 nails wedged into as well as a little bit of the original rotten wedge. The top inch or so of the haft is toast. But I got it out in one piece and I think I might be able to re-use it. I have a little smaller classically styled head (2 pounder) which I think would look good on this haft. I have a couple of other projects in line ahead of that but rest assured that if I re-use it I'll post pics for you.
 
Good on yer Peg. I always like the idea of re-using and re-cycling equipment. We do live in a chuck-away world now. Too much stuff just thrown into the environment. Plastic and all but don't get me started....that's for another time and place.

Wouldn't want to be on death row with you, Bear, and Memphis around. All Bloody good hangers.

regards ...Frank
 
cooperhill said:
Where do you do trailwork?
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As a volunteer with the Washington Trails Association and more recently in my new job with the County. Trailwork is the largest part of my responsibilities. We have many forested natural areas with trail systems. Hiking is very popular in the Pacific Northwest.

Can you imagine my pleasure when I found we had a whole shed full of trail tools that needed repair. I've re-hung about dozen axes & Pulaskis for them as well as doing other repair work on many other trail tools - sharpening, etc. The pay is lousy but I'm having a great time. How many of us get paid to fix axes?
grin.gif
 
Nice axe.. Funny you posted this as I scored a Collins boys axe at a garage sale a week ago and will be getting it back to working order. It will probably look exactly like yours when it's done. I like the patina look too. Nice job on it.
 
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