Cracked Collins Legitimus: What Do You Do?

J

John Frankl

Joined
Oct 16, 2001
Messages
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So I received what appeared to be a near perfect Collins Legitimus head, only to discover a crack in the edge.

That is the bad news. The good news is the Ebay seller is honorable and not only gave me a full refund but also told me to keep it as a "paperweight." It's always nice to come into contact with good people :)

So now I have a choice: paperweight or a pared down version somewhere along the lines of the following:

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I have the tools and skills to reharden and regrind the bit, so that is no problem. It is currently at 4 pounds, so I have some leeway. I am wondering what all of you think about reestablishing good balance by taking some meat off the pole.

And and all advice and comments will be greatly appreciated.
 
I'd probably just retire it. But if you want to trim it down then I would leave the toe full length and strike an arc off the the point of the toe through the end of the crack to the heal. Toes get worn out fast enough already without any intentional removal of material. And I'd keep the entire poll.
 
A lot of work but you'd wind up with a perfectly good axe and a Legitimus to boot. Besides, it might be fun to do..........
 
You would ruin the temper on a small portion of the ax, but you could have it welded. You might be able to find someone to do an edge quench, then temper it back with a torch.
 
Thanks guys.

So, Square_peg, what's your final vote?

Bo T, I can do all that myself. Whether I weld the crack shut or grind the entire thing down, I'll be rehardening and retempering it.
 
If you can re harden and temper it then I would just get it welded. There's no point in grinding it down as far as you have to to get rid of the crack if you can save some life in the axe. Just my $0.02
 
Yeah, I have another heavy unmarked Jersey pattern--I think it's a Kelly--and a lot of the extra weight is just a thicker poll.
 
If u are set on using it I would use it as a grub axe - your dirty worker - leave the bit thick and just use it and see what happens - very might never have an issue with it.
 
Op has the most sensible answer.

OTOH if you wanna play around with an axe then you've got one which you really can't hurt - it's dead already.
 
On a more serious note, if you decide to weld it I am interested on how you do it. And the subsequent heat treatment.
 
I would just hang and use it as is. I bet it would be ok as long as it isn't way below zero. But I don't have the skills or equipment to harden steel.
 
You might be able to grind it away but problem is likely to run deeper. Also seems a lot of hassle.
I wouldn't use it, out of sheer safety reasons.
 
Use it for a root chopper and grubbing axe. You know it is already dinged and not perfect so there's little risk to you or better equipment if you are chopping out roots. If there is not much call for that keep it on standby and hanging pretty in case there comes a big call for roots to be chopped some day.
 
i can not see the crack from the images you posted.
definitely do not grind off the poll, if you do this it will make the axe very fast, all the weight and energy out front . a tricky tool to use for sure.

looks like a good chance to re-do a nice tool, with your skill why not.:thumbup:

buzz
 
Weld it and hammer the weld while its still hot. Later go to the woods and smack the heck outta this axe so that yo check if its good enough.
 
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