Firemans Axe

[zatch]

Hey guys.

I stopped into my local harbor freight to pick up some sandpaper, noticed this fireman's axe/hatchet they had for 20 bucks. I had some spare cash and a free weekend, so I picked it up. I have been looking for a cheaper axe to experiment on. I wanted to try out a mustard patina, sharpening, working with the handle, etc.

I stripped all the paint off the handle and the head via zipstrip. Came off about 30 seconds after applying it to the head. I sanded for quite a while on the head and to be honest, it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted. After about an hour or so of straight sanding, the portion near the edge looked great, while the stuff underneath the paint stayed the same. It doesn't really bug me that much. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I also noticed that a line appeared on the head after stripping it, and was really brought out by the patina. Is that what a hamon line is? I thought it was the line where the paint was applied, but the paint went quite a bit farther towards the edge.

As far as the handle is concerned, I sanded it down and applied a couple coats of danish oil and finished with tung oil. There's some deeper scratches and nicks in the handle that I couldn't get out - A lot of the little ones came out very nicely.

The connection between the head and the handle doesn't look very secure. I read a couple reviews where the handle either broke, or the head came off. This doesn't really bother me either as I have been looking for an axe head to replace the handle on (first time). Plus, this axe is going to get used.

Here's some pictures. First one is a before picture that I took from Harbor Freights website.

I hated the red paint on this thing. Glad I stripped it.

Looks like my rag got onto the handle near the head. Whoops!

Sharpening was a breeze. I don't know how it's going to perform, but the edge shaves paper with ease.

I did a mustard patina on the head, just to try out. I really like how it came out. Didn't take very long, 1 hour for the swirls and a half hour for the first application (dabbed on with fingers and rag).

Awhile ago, I read that you can use a wet rag and an iron on the handle to help lift some of the scratches and nicks. Has anyone ever tried that? Did it work?

I don't have any crazy expectations out of this axe, but I really like the look and shape of the head. Plus, it was a fun experimenter over the weekend. I'm working two jobs during the week, it's nice to chill out with projects like this on the weekend.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Pipeman]

Hey Zatch, looks great, love the swirls. Lets us know how it performs.

Regards

Robin

 

[billy blade]

Yes a wet rag and iron will lift dents a gouges in wood. It will accually raise all of the grain in that wetted/heated area. Don't be afraid to to get the area good and saturated with water. then lay a wet rag (old towels work good) and lay on the hot iron. The steam will raise the dent, let it dry and sand smooth. Good luck. BTW your axe looks great! I think I'll pick one up the next time I get to habor frieght.

 

[zatch]

Thanks for the replies!

Billy Blade, I remember seeing the same thing done to old gun stocks (a mosin, IIRC). I am definitely going to try that method on the next project. I'd probably sand the handle away on some of the nicks and scratches on the handle. I always tend to focus too much on the axe head when I'm out "shopping" - I probably could have grabbed one with a nicer handle.