dubble bit axe?

the steel in those 2 old found axes is as good as anything you'd buy new. :) We need pics to see what you're working with. These are several threads in here on how to re-haft an axe, even one on removing and rehanging the same haft for a tighter fit.

randy
 
TheGoldenWalrus said:
...looks like i found the one! marbles double bit hatchet. looks pretty darn close to the one in nessmuks trio, from what i can tell its pretty good. atleast from what i read here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/980916-New-design-Marbles-Double-Bit-Hatchet
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For a small "user" double bit, I'd recommend a cruiser insead of a double-bit hatchet. The short handle of the hatchet, combined with the rear-facing head, can make the backswings too close for comfort when chopping away at something. Also, with the light weight of that Marbles DB hatchet, you'll be chopping for a much longer time than with a cruiser.

Fixing up that DB of your father's sounds like a good option.
 
Steve Tall said:
For a small "user" double bit, I'd recommend a cruiser insead of a double-bit hatchet. The short handle of the hatchet, combined with the rear-facing head, can make the backswings too close for comfort when chopping away at something. Also, with the light weight of that Marbles DB hatchet, you'll be chopping for a much longer time than with a cruiser.

Fixing up that DB of your father's sounds like a good option.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I got that same Marble's, on a whim, sort of regret it. Within 4 swings, the handle broke. The eye is not one single hole, it's 3 overlaping circles. It was a PAIN to rehang. I just grabbed a hickory ball peen hammer handle, it was already here. So, now the handle is a bit longer which is better than before.
I still agree with Steve Tall about having that other edge swinging back towards your face, it's a bit unsafe. I try to swing at angles that keep it away from my face, when I do use it, it's been a while.
I do love my old, no name, 3# double bit on a 36" haft. It's a much safer double bit than my little Marble's. I do like the look of those Nessmuk hatchets though.
 
foxx said:
Yeah, I got that same Marble's, on a whim, sort of regret it. Within 4 swings, the handle broke. The eye is not one single hole, it's 3 overlaping circles. It was a PAIN to rehang. I just grabbed a hickory ball peen hammer handle, it was already here. So, now the handle is a bit longer which is better than before.
I still agree with Steve Tall about having that other edge swinging back towards your face, it's a bit unsafe. I try to swing at angles that keep it away from my face, when I do use it, it's been a while.
I do love my old, no name, 3# double bit on a 36" haft. It's a much safer double bit than my little Marble's. I do like the look of those Nessmuk hatchets though.
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That Marble's of yours was pre-Imacasa involvement. I think they have a newer double bit that's Imacasa contracted, though I'd have to check.
 
TheGoldenWalrus said:
also i took a look in the shed today to find a large flint edge kelly double bit axe, and a no name 2 lb. 15 oz. pound double bit axe head that seems to be fairly decent. about what length handle would go good for that?
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A Kelly Flint Edge is top shelf axe. Handle length is a personal thing but with a full sized double bit like that most people use a 36" handle. Some go down as low as 30".
 
I think the 2 Hawks double bit belt axe made by Devon Price is an excellent choice. It's endorsed by Dave Cantebury and is very affordable.

devonpricehawk-1.jpg

devonpricehawk-2.jpg
 
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the kelly still has a handle... sorta... so i can probably just use that as a reference, but the no name doesnt. its fairly small, probably about 7 inch or so across if i were to guess, i can take a look later and give accurate measurements. looks to be about cruiser size head i suppose. so what's normal for cruisers? about 2 feet?

i guess ill try out the cruiser head on a new haft and if i still want something smaller i go for the marbles or somthing.
 
ok got some pics, my camera's a bit crappy but i guess its ok.

here they are (the bottom one with the handle is the kelly)
1020112.jpg


the haft on the kelly doesnt go all the way through though.
1020114.jpg

otherwise the haft doesnt look too bad.
1020113.jpg


not sure if you can see but theres the stamp. but it just says the normal, true temper, flint edge, kelly works. stamp
1020117g.jpg

just one more look at the kelly
1020119.jpg


geometry of cruiser head (also the eye)
1020122.jpg

other side
1020123.jpg


size comparison
1020125.jpg


so do you think the kelly needs a new haft or just needs to have the old one rehung?
and about what length haft should i go for on the cruiser?
 
I would attempt to re-hang the Kelly. The eye looks deformed so you might need to drift it open.

When you're buying a handle for the cruiser keep in mind that cruisers have a smaller eye than full sized double bits. You need to find a cruiser handle - which isn't hard to do.
 
ok, im probably going to try the cruiser first (if i can find a handle) as it seems like it might be a bit easier, and i would be more likely to actually use a cruiser than a full sized axe.
 
Ace hardware stores often carry Link brand handles. Several forum members including myself have found nice Link cruiser handles at Ace.
 
ok, what about true value? i know i have one of those not but a couple blocks away. not sure about ace....

edit: oh just looked and aparently there is an ace not but a few miles away.

also, just to make sure. i would be looking for the 28 inch handles right?
 
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TheGoldenWalrus said:
also, just to make sure. i would be looking for the 28 inch handles right?
Click to expand...

Yes. And they'll be labeled as cruiser handles. Look for a grain that is in line with the eye of the axe. Up to about 30° off of alignment is still OK but I generally won't go past 20°. Very fine handles will have grains within 5°.
 
foxx said:
Yeah, I got that same Marble's, on a whim, sort of regret it. Within 4 swings, the handle broke. The eye is not one single hole, it's 3 overlaping circles. It was a PAIN to rehang. I just grabbed a hickory ball peen hammer handle, it was already here. So, now the handle is a bit longer which is better than before.
I still agree with Steve Tall about having that other edge swinging back towards your face, it's a bit unsafe. I try to swing at angles that keep it away from my face, when I do use it, it's been a while.
I do love my old, no name, 3# double bit on a 36" haft. It's a much safer double bit than my little Marble's. I do like the look of those Nessmuk hatchets though.
Click to expand...

I have often wondered why Marble's did that. Maybe they just wanted owners to buy handles from them. That eye design is insane!
 
well thanks everyone! once i get the time and money (have enough for the handle but also need some other things) i'll start on it, and hopefully will end up with a faithful tool. :)
 
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