Collins Old Timer Legitimus Jersey hang.

L

lmalterna

Joined
Dec 12, 2002
Messages
3,767
Hung this on a slimmed down HH 1630S- supposed to be 30" but was 28.5"- Now I do not even see them cataloged? One coat of WATCO medium Walnut and 2 coats of BLO.

Bit came from the auction site this way. Just a skosh over 3lbs, straight bit and a V grind like a carpenters hatchet. Do not know what the previous owner was using it for ground this way? Maybe timber fitting? Have not decided if I will change grind or just keep it "different". I had soaked in vinegar to make sure I still had good steel at it looks short bit to poll @ 6 1/8"
OAL- 27 1/8"
OAW-3lbs 15 oz
bit= 5"
Have not had a chance to use it yet.

Bill






 
That looks great. I tried my first rehang today and screwed it up pretty badly lol I'll have to buy another haft and try it again.
 
Nice job on that! I'm liking this move towards less curved handles and may have to have a go at one myself. That you've not cut the haft flush with the eye is also a nice touch.
 
Thanks guys, I am still learning and trying to apply what I have learned here going forward. I know now that the spoke shave will be my friend, just need to save for a better one as the blade in mine cants in use. Leaving the handle proud above the head and cutting the kerf wider were things I learned here and do make for a nicer job.

I wish I could find 32" straight handles but I am picking up "fat" 36S handles to try shortening and shaving down.

I used to slam a head on a haft and pound a wedge in with little thought to fitting or longevity, I really prefer doing this from a hobby perspective than just putting the axe back in the woods in a rush.

Bill
 
lmalterna said:
Leaving the handle proud above the head and cutting the kerf wider were things I learned here and do make for a nicer job.

I used to slam a head on a haft and pound a wedge in with little thought to fitting or longevity, I really prefer doing this from a hobby perspective than just putting the axe back in the woods in a rush.
Bill
Click to expand...
Makes sense from a practical stand point to leave the haft proud of the eye since it 'locks in' the wood a little bit better by virtue of not being compressed such as inside the eye. Plus makes it easier (if it isn't glued in place) to get at the wedge for removal and/or deeper placement. I notice some of the Swedes do this but otherwise it is not a common feature on re-hafts nor store-bought axes.

Yessirree slamming on a head is something I've done many times too. Handles were quite affordable, common in every hardware store, and to be found of decent quality, up until 30 years ago. Problem with getting accustomed to chainsaws is that axes don't get the same workout that they did at one time and therefore don't require new hafts as often. Likely as not most of mine are on their last haft until the next owners choose to abuse them, overstrike, or leave them sitting out in the sun and rain for months at a time. Or through some fluke of the future I suddenly discover I've got nothing to do and develop a crazy hankering to select and whittle down a piece of Ironwood in order to experiment with a different handle profile.
 
:) At age 47- my prime farming and wood clearing days were my teens as Grandpa knocked off active farming by the time I was 21. So the 30 year period on readily available quality wood coincides with my years. We used the axes for saplings, fence clearing, limbing, driving wooden wedges for felling and bucking to prevent pinch, splitting rails for post barns and tobacco drying racks as well as sticks.

I usually hand filed but mounting new handles were abrubt and sloppy. We kept an old ash can filled with "wood oil"- I never saw a label :0 and just stuck axes in there occassionally to soak a day or so before hanging them up.

Now I enjoy spending time to make them look decent as well as functional. Learning alot on here about how it should be done. I hope to try one from scratch this Summer. For now reconditioning and trimming down premade handles is satisfying. I will cut a couple of 48" length logs later this Spring to set aside for drying.

Bill
 
Alocksly,
I like the curve at the grip but a straighter haft- I also like the way Gpig sets the head back a bit.... all leading me to the point of trying one from scratch. I have tried to move some of my heads back a bit by setting the head further back on the shoulder and trimming down the oversized tonuge form the front- small change so far but I do like it.
Gpig and Killa- making those scratch handles is inspiring.

Next up is a Jersey on a 32 curved handle. :)

Bill
 
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