GB - Saved from the Rust Tree.... could use some advice.

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
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I have an odd life. Many have told me this. But, the other day, I was in Austin, TX for a conference and met a retiring poet. We walked around Austin and shot the shit.

We ended up at the capital and had a few drinks later in the day. He asked for my address and said he would mail me "something".

I got a huge crate in the mail. (more on that later) and it had a few gems inside.

Under a pile of rust and gunk was this:

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Gransfors Bruks - 3.5 Pound - Double bit (in case the photo's suck).


So - here is the question(s): If this was yours. How would you restore it? What would you do to the head? What handle would you put on it? What kind of mask would you get (make) for it?

Go crazy - I will pick one and do what you say. ;)

TF
 
Heck I'd use that thing. Cool story with it too. I'd go with a 30-32" handle and of course file the edge chips out and sharpen it up. That's too good of steel to not use it.
 
Oh - I PLAN to use it.

Sorry - that wasn't the question. How would you use it - how would you hang it - that was the question. ;)

Thanks for the handle suggestion. I was thinking a 33 or so as I am 6'5" - but I want good balance too.

TF
 
Yeah I'm the same height and thus have longer arms so I find I like handles that are 30-32", 30" being my favorite for full size heads. I'm just more accurate with them, but that's what I use most so go figure.
 
If it were me I'd sell it because those axes fetch a price well beyond their value as a user. But if I were to keep it I would surely hang it on a full length 36" handle. That type of axe is best for falling and splitting. For either use I want a long handle.

I'd find a nice Tennessee Hickory handle with near perfect grain. Their double bit handles tend to be really fat so I'd trim off 1/4 of its mass with a spoke shave and turn it into an octagon. I'd leave the swell as large as possible. Then I'd finish it with several coats of BLO followed by several coats of tung oil.

I'd give both bits a banana grind, but one of them would have a thicker edge for rough service. That's what I would do.
 
Square - I was hoping you would post up.

I was hoping you could be more specific. ;)

Actually - could you clarify what you mean by a 'Banana' grind? I just want to get my eyes on it.

I will rehaft it for sure - and make a double mask. Then - decide if someone else could enjoy it more.

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
Actually - could you clarify what you mean by a 'Banana' grind? I just want to get my eyes on it.
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Here are a couple I've done recently. These were done with file and stone.

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G-Pig posted pics of a really nice banana grind recently, too.
 
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Ernest DuBois said:
That wasn't Richard Sturgeon was it? That guy, he does get around.

E.DB.
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E.DB:

If it was - that was not the name he gave me. Nice guy - in the box was a huge antler shed, three old knives - and two double bit axes. All buried in carpet and in a box that he made.

Very cool experience. I plan on putting new steel on one of the knives and using the handle material and sending it back to him.

Hopefully he will have a user.

TF
 
I have two of those. They are cool, and I don't mean to be Debbie Downer. However, Square Peg has a point about the inflated price. If I was smart, I would sell mine and use that money to buy many more heads. My GB double bits don't get used. For my uses specifically, they are not nearly as effective as some of the $5 American pieces I have. Because they are so flat, they get left in the dust when it comes to bucking and splitting.

If yours is as flat as both of mine, you won't be able to achieve a very drastic banana grind. I'm not trying to discourage you, you've got a valuable piece there either way. Post pics as you go!!!
 
FWIW Saw a similar one (in worse condition) on fleabay for $69 starting bid and $100 Buy It Now.
 
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Here it is totally redone. I used a House Handle blank and used my knife to carve it into a octagonal handle. I used 220 sandpaper to clean it up and then put it over a camp fire and sanded it again to fire harden it a bit and give it some color.

TF
 
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