First Axe Restoration Advice/WIP

[Square_peg]

Well done! There's great satisfaction in hafting an axe on your own hand made handle.

 

[Michael Starr]

Nicely done...you should be proud!

 

[DarthTaco123]

I've been gradually re profiling it but sweet Mother Mary above this is some hard steel. I always enjoy making handles for my axes, and seeing this Collins before and after it's hard to believe it had that much rust before it had it's bath. Now I need to find more axe heads haha.

 

[Square_peg]

.....but sweet Mother Mary above this is some hard steel.

They're always very hard until you get under the oxidation layer. Start in one small spot and file thru to shiny steel. Then work out from that spot, the file's teeth lifting the oxidation layer from underneath. Your axe needs to be in a vise or in someway secured absolutely solidly. If the file chatters or squeals then you need to stop and change your tactic - maybe change the pressure or speed of the file stroke. A 10"-12" American made double cut or multi-kut file works well on vintage axes.