Cracked axe, retire it now or is it good to go?

C

Creedmoor

Joined
May 7, 2014
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32
This is an axe that I bought back in the mid to late 1970s and It has seen a fair amount of use over the years.

Lately it mostly gets used for things that the chain saw just can't get to and it was getting in pretty bad shape.

Recently I decided to sharpen it and clean it up.

After removing the surface rust I saw that it has a pretty good crack in it and I am wondering if it is still safe to use or should I hang it on the barn wall for a decoration?

It looks like there may have been some inclusions in the metal that weakened it and let to the cracks.

I read somewhere about having them welded but I don't have access to a good welder and I suspect that it is not worth the time and money it would take to have it done.

So, here are the pics, what do you think?

At least it is nice and sharp now, just needs a new handle. :-)

Thanks.







 
I can't tell if that's an actual crack or just a forge weld that is showing up because the axe has weathered. Is there any motion across the crack?
 
It's definitely a crack.. It doesn't go into the eye as far as I can tell.

It does span More than half way across that side. It's just hard to get it to show up in the pics.

I clamped it in the vice and put some pressure on it and couldn't see any movement.
 
its a crack but it certainly would not worry me and i would still use it with full force as it would probably not shatter any time soon ;)
 
I guess I will hunt up a new handle for it and rehang it.

If it doesn't get any worse, it might just out last me. :-)

Thanks!
 
Looks like about the spot a forge weld would be, I'd not worry too much about it but if it continues to grow it might be best to hang it on the wall, or turn it into a narrow polled single bit with a funny looking eye.
 
I have a True Temper double bit axe like yours. That broke about where yours expresses a crack. I had it welded back 10 years ago and I've been using it ever since. DM
 
I see evidence of dies used in the forging process along the exact lines that axe failed on many axes I clean up.
 
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