Don't know what it is but I like it

[vaj1111]

While following my wife around while she was antiquing I saw this old rusty axe and had to have it. Now I've got something to do over the weekend.

Just starting the rust removal

The handle is coming out nice with a little sanding and some linseed oil

 

[Square_peg]

Sweet! Under the rust it looks to be in very good condition. Let us know if you find a maker's stamp. And let's see that thing again once you've got it cleaned up.

 

[Frank-New Zealand]

I too would be interested to see the end result. It may just be an illusion but the poll appears to slant backwards a bit. She looks like a real beast. What is the weight. Haft is looking good. Bet it soaked up a lot of oil.

regards...Frank

 

[msbc]

I know there's a few of you that turn out beautifully reconditioned axe handles and all anyone says is "I just soaked it in BLO", there's got to be more to it. What I'd like to know is how exactly do you go about making an old, dried out handle look like the one in your picture? Do you clean first with solvents? Sand it all down? Can someone walk us less experienced people through the process? I'd be most grateful and I know others would too.

 

[Double Ott]

I know there's a few of you that turn out beautifully reconditioned axe handles and all anyone says is "I just soaked it in BLO", there's got to be more to it. What I'd like to know is how exactly do you go about making an old, dried out handle look like the one in your picture? Do you clean first with solvents? Sand it all down? Can someone walk us less experienced people through the process? I'd be most grateful and I know others would too.

vaj111 said;

"The handle is coming out nice with a little sanding and some linseed oil"

Sometimes that's all that is needed.

Tom

 

[schmiddy]

Surprised it doesn't have rot. Around here it only takes a couple seasons out in the weather to start rotting. Western Oregon is one of the wettest places in the world so no big surprise.

 

[bbforstr]

Nice find.

It might be a Connecticut pattern. They're pretty rare finds. I've been looking for a reasonably priced Connie for a while with no luck. Could also be a New England pattern. You did great on this one.

 

[Square_peg]

What I'd like to know is how exactly do you go about making an old, dried out handle look like the one in your picture?

What I do is sand - a bit more than lightly - and then finish. Old handles will soak up a ton of BLO. I apply coats twice a day with a brush at first and then with a cloth once it's soaked up a few coats. On some very old dry handles I've given them as many as 6-8 coats of BLO. On fresher handles 2-4 coats will do. Then I apply 3-4 coats of Tung Oil over the BLO, letting them dry for 12-24 hours depending on temperature and humidity. After the 1st coat of Tung I will sand lightly between coats with wet/dry sandpaper. I don't sand before the final coat. Typical tung treatment is coat, sand, coat, sand, coat, coat.

 

[msbc]

Thank you, that's a lot clearer.

What I do is sand - a bit more than lightly - and then finish. Old handles will soak up a ton of BLO. I apply coats twice a day with a brush at first and then with a cloth once it's soaked up a few coats. On some very old dry handles I've given them as many as 6-8 coats of BLO. On fresher handles 2-4 coats will do. Then I apply 3-4 coats of Tung Oil over the BLO, letting them dry for 12-24 hours depending on temperature and humidity. After the 1st coat of Tung I will sand lightly between coats with wet/dry sandpaper. I don't sand before the final coat. Typical tung treatment is coat, sand, coat, sand, coat, coat.

 

[Col Defender]

Good job getting the handle off without damage to it....don't think I've ever succeeded that well. Can you tell us how you got the head off the handle so nicely? Very nice axe.

Thanks!