Collins Legitimus DB - Need your opinions

AnotherDogDown17

AnotherDogDown17

Joined
Jul 29, 2015
Messages
287
Hey Guys,

I recently picked up a Collins Legitimus double bit axe head and I'm having some difficulty deciding how I'd like to finish it. It has around 50-60% of what I believe to be the original paint and while it has some rust, there is no pitting in the steel. Since it has so much paint still intact, I'm a little hesitant to take a wire wheel to it because I'm worried it would diminish it's value. Here are a couple pics.

20150810_153319_zps437wzgcs.jpg
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I plan to drop it in a vinegar bath shortly but what should I do after that? Leave the paint or strip it down to the bare metal? What do you guys think? Your opinions are greatly appreciated.
 
Vinegar will diminish the value as well, it kills any and all patina and could very well eat the paint off it too.
 
Yeah, what Darth said...I think you might be thinking about it backwards. The wire wheel will keep the patina, vinegar takes it down to bare metal. Either way, there isn't much value in the head overall. It's not an especially collectible head, so have at it. If you want to keep the patina though (which I think is awesome and gives it more character), the wire wheel is the way to go and would be my recommendation.
 
SC T100 said:
Yeah, what Darth said...I think you might be thinking about it backwards. The wire wheel will keep the patina, vinegar takes it down to bare metal. Either way, there isn't much value in the head overall. It's not an especially collectible head, so have at it. If you want to keep the patina though (which I think is awesome and gives it more character), the wire wheel is the way to go and would be my recommendation.
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yep, use the wirewheel. won't hurt anything, will save the blue(patina).
vinegar or molasses will remove rust. there will be plenty of opportunities for removing rust if you keep collecting old axes.
the Legitimus is actaully collected by the way.

buzz
 
markv said:
the Legitimus is actaully collected by the way.

buzz
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Oh for sure they are collected. I was just trying to say that these aren't like the Black Ravens or anything, where messing with them can significantly reduce their selling value. I don;t think these are highly priced to begin with, so altering the existing finish really won't hurt any value. I could certainly be wrong though!
 
Thanks for the replies. Saved me from dropped it in vinegar overnight. I'll get after it with the wire wheel in a little bit. I might post a couple more pictures when I'm done to see if you guys have any more advice. Thanks again!
 
I like getting rust out of the eye, so what I do is take some paper towel or rags, soak them in vinegar and stuff them in the eye. This way you can clean off that rust easily while keeping the paint/patina.

If it's a user you can clean up the outside over time just through use, sharpening, and cleaning it up with steel wool/oil. Looks like it's in good shape.

Vinegar baths are mainly used for the completely rusted heads.
 
I'm getting to the point where I don't get exactly what people are trying to accomplish. Hundreds of pieces of steel wire moving across the surface of the head at thousands of rotations per minute is going to somehow differentiate material on the head? If you want to keep whatever it is on the head, then why do anything? Rub it with oil to neutralize the rust and you're done. If you want the thing to look old, then just let it look old. How did decades of neglect add the same kind of value as decades of care and use? Rust and dirt, accumulated through decades of neglect just doesn't sound like the definition of something desirable. And, did you pay a lot for it? We all know it's a quality piece of equipment, whether it has some grungy paint remnants and rust or not. And we know some people will pay relatively well for it ... maybe. Are you going to sell it? I see a picture of surface rust and paint that isn't worth keeping. I don't see even the slightest evidence of something I would call patina, and I rarely do. Rust is the enemy.

I usually refrain from snotty posts so let me apologize while I'm at it but I guess my point is, you can do whatever you want to it. If you're torn because you think you'll be chastised over the paint the manufacturer knew would wear off, or the rust that is slowly eating your axe away, don't be. If, on the other hand, you're truly concerned about the value, then sell it, or leave it. If you love rust dust, then wire wheel it - wear a dust mask at least.
 
Put a handle on it and order up 3-4 bush cords of hardwood. By the time all that is cut and split the axe will be shiny and you'll easily have recouped your investment.
 
cityofthesouth said:
I'm getting to the point where I don't get exactly what people are trying to accomplish. Hundreds of pieces of steel wire moving across the surface of the head at thousands of rotations per minute is going to somehow differentiate material on the head? If you want to keep whatever it is on the head, then why do anything? Rub it with oil to neutralize the rust and you're done. If you want the thing to look old, then just let it look old. How did decades of neglect add the same kind of value as decades of care and use? Rust and dirt, accumulated through decades of neglect just doesn't sound like the definition of something desirable. And, did you pay a lot for it? We all know it's a quality piece of equipment, whether it has some grungy paint remnants and rust or not. And we know some people will pay relatively well for it ... maybe. Are you going to sell it? I see a picture of surface rust and paint that isn't worth keeping. I don't see even the slightest evidence of something I would call patina, and I rarely do. Rust is the enemy.

I usually refrain from snotty posts so let me apologize while I'm at it but I guess my point is, you can do whatever you want to it. If you're torn because you think you'll be chastised over the paint the manufacturer knew would wear off, or the rust that is slowly eating your axe away, don't be. If, on the other hand, you're truly concerned about the value, then sell it, or leave it. If you love rust dust, then wire wheel it - wear a dust mask at least.
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Yeah, I agree with this, too. It all depends what you want...have at it...it's yours! :) I've done both the vinegar and the wire wheel (and definitely wear a mask and do it outside), and I like the results of both, but of we're honest none of it has any bearing on the usefulness or quality of the axe...only aesthetics. If it's getting a handle and a sharpening for use, then it really doesn't mater what it looks like as long as it's hung right and sharp. That thing'll blast through some wood either way!
 
Hah yep! That's what I do mostly nowadays, besides throwing some PB Blaster on the outside of the head and a scrub with an SOS pad I only clean up the edge when I'm filing on it. The rest comes with time, and it'll develop it's own character.
 
Thanks guys! That's essentially what I decided to do. I started fitting a 36" helve last night. Once it's hung, I have a couple of osage orange trees needing removal. Hope there is some axe head left when I'm finished with those![emoji6]
 
DarthTaco123 said:
Hah yep! That's what I do mostly nowadays, besides throwing some PB Blaster on the outside of the head and a scrub with an SOS pad I only clean up the edge when I'm filing on it. The rest comes with time, and it'll develop it's own character.
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That would look good right there.

Sometimes I use a hand wire brush to get the larger stuff off, then WD-40/Ed's Red and paper towel/rag, and then fine steel wool. Doesn't mess with the color or paint to much if you want it to stay. If anything, it makes the exposed steel darker looking.

Many ways to prep it without stripping the character out of it. I like the idea of just using it as is as too.

I've taken to taping off the the edge I want. Some tape around the eye can also protect it from file marks during sharpening.

This is an example of an attempt to keep marks of the eye (should have taped the bit off first on this one)


Your axe head looks like a keeper. Do whatever seems right. I bet it takes care of those trees no matter how it looks. :)
 
AnotherDogDown17 said:
Hey Guys,

I recently picked up a Collins Legitimus double bit axe head and I'm having some difficulty deciding how I'd like to finish it. It has around 50-60% of what I believe to be the original paint and while it has some rust, there is no pitting in the steel. Since it has so much paint still intact, I'm a little hesitant to take a wire wheel to it because I'm worried it would diminish it's value. Here are a couple pics.

20150810_153319_zps437wzgcs.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]



I plan to drop it in a vinegar bath shortly but what should I do after that? Leave the paint or strip it down to the bare metal? What do you guys think? Your opinions are greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
that old axe head is in great shape. i have a pitted hewing age that looks like really good swiss cheese.lol
sharpen it till it shines, hang it and see if you can wear it out on some dat Osage Orange.
all good
reminds me , i have a nice Legitimus feller needs hanging....

buzz
 
I suppose it depends on what time of year you work on them but prepare yourself for a sticky mess. Should be plenty of good fun though!
 
Soak it or wire wheel or wire wheel after soaking.

If I was going to preserve the patina I might try boiling that head and then give it a shot of oil while it was still hot.
 
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