First Hang - Collins Boy's Axe - Constructive Criticism Needed!

Nice recovery! Looks a heck of allot better my first attempt. But I've progressed some in those 40 years or so. LOL
 
Looks great. I like the idea of RLO, just keep in mind it takes significantly longer to dry. That being said, I'm keeping my eye out for some. :)
 
Thanks guys! I think I got my can of RLO from Ace Hardware ... heck it's been a long time. I was speaking to my coworker today who has lots of woodworking experience and he said the RLO will turn black over time (like the Enfield rifles!). That said, it may just look better (older) quicker!

My second question - what the heck do you all recommend for dealing with this addiction of buying axe heads?!?! I think I went from abusing facebook to abusing ebay.
 
Your wallet will dictate the extent of your addiction. Often it's best to restrict yourself to one manufacturer or one pattern of axe if you don't wish to accumulate a roomful of axes most of which gradually tend to gather only dust.
Get yourself a wood stove and start gathering up firewood for the winter! Sure hydraulics are easier and faster but learning to chop wood efficiently is a learning curve, and a free exercise program that helps to reduce your heating bills.
 
I have sort of .... kinda .... started to just look for patterns that I like rather than simply looking for anything I could save at a reasonable price and in good shape. Creating the perfect handle has become my favorite part of axe refurbishing, and so that forces me to want to only hang axes that I feel are "deserving" of the handle, which makes it a little easier to curb the addiction. I don't look for, you know, "collectible" heads and shell out a bunch of coin, just patterns (or variations of patterns) that I feel are unique or appealing.
 
Fair enough! Entirely crafting your own hafts would definitely slow down the purchase of heads. Reproducing/creating a classic handle using only hand tools is a true labour of love and forces one to develop a keen eye for scouting-out and utilizing 'top drawer' blanks.
 
Wow - yeah I would have a time popping a wood stove in our house and convincing my wife to let me set up a woodshop :)

Honestly - I have a "few" now so I'm going to start getting busy cleaning them up and this will certainly slow me down. I really like the idea of crafting my own hafts ...
 
300Six said:
Fair enough! Entirely crafting your own hafts would definitely slow down the purchase of heads. Reproducing/creating a classic handle using only hand tools is a true labour of love and forces one to develop a keen eye for scouting-out and utilizing 'top drawer' blanks.
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I figure 1 full day to make a haft from a stave, and get a proper hang. I hung a lil' hatchet yesterday, got'r done in about 6 hours from scratch!
 
quinton said:
I figure 1 full day to make a haft from a stave, and get a proper hang. I hung a lil' hatchet yesterday, got'r done in about 6 hours from scratch!
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Good for you!. Obviously these are not the type of hangs we're going to see on flea bay for $20. I fully understand that; a classic curved haft that's made from scratch can only be fully appreciated by it's maker. But suddenly it's your very own personalized implement! Bet you don't casually leave it in the back of the truck or lend it out to Herb Woodley or the neighbour's crazy teenage son anymore either. And I'll wager the blade has been made and kept sharp now too.
 
300Six said:
Good for you!. Obviously these are not the type of hangs we're going to see on flea bay for $20. I fully understand that; a classic curved haft that's made from scratch can only be fully appreciated by it's maker. But suddenly it's your very own personalized implement! Bet you don't casually leave it in the back of the truck or lend it out to Herb Woodley or the neighbour's crazy teenage son anymore either. And I'll wager the blade has been made and kept sharp now too.
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I don't loan axes! Too much liability involved!:)

That reminds me.. about 20 years or so ago, I made a nice haft for my personal wood splittin' maul, I WAS PROUD OF THAT HAFT! Well, turns out while I was at work my uncle came to cut firewood unexpectedly, and brought his 17 year old grandson who fancied the looks of my maul.. . needless to say, there has never been another handmade haft in that maul since!
 
:) I agree, when the handle gets so much put into it, the whole thing becomes much more personal and it's painful to see the handle get damaged.
 
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