Help Identifying Old Axe Head

rileybassman1 · Dec 5, 2013

Hello all,

This is my first post in the axe section, but I have been a lurker for awhile

I am just getting in to axe restoration, and picked up an old axe head with no makers mark that I am restoring.
I was wondering if anyone had any idea as to the maker and approx age.

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I have since removed most of the rust and there is no mark... any help is much appreciated!

CedarEater · Dec 5, 2013

Looks like its in good shape. I bet it looks nice with the rust removed. The ribs in the eye point to Kelly although I have seen them in a stamped Collins head too. Whatever it is, it is probably a good quality axe head that deserves a good restoration. Thanks for saving another rusty old tool.

Square_peg · Dec 5, 2013

No way to know for sure but Cedar's guess of it being a Kelly/True Temper is most likely correct. It's a good axe and hardly used. Sharpen it. Hang it. Use it. Love it.

rileybassman1 · Dec 5, 2013

Thanks for the info guys! I appreciate it. I am looking forward to finishing it

I spent some time sanding it this morning and have had it in a vinegar bath all day. It seems pretty high quality. The vinegar bath exposed the temper line. I'll post pics when I get closer

rileybassman1 · Dec 6, 2013

As a side note, when I put the handle on, do I need to cut grooves for the grooves in the head or just force it on???

nickzdon · Dec 6, 2013

Any signs of paint? Sometimes the color of the paint can help identify a manufacturer, or time period. Kinda. Still not an exact science. I never cut grooves for the ridges in the eye, but you might need to modify the handle and remove material to accept the lugs that stick down below the head.

rileybassman1 · Dec 6, 2013

No paint that I could see. Thanks for the tip!

combs6136 · Dec 6, 2013

Let see a picture when you get it done.................carl

Square_peg · Dec 7, 2013

I do cut grooves for the ridges. At the factory they had a haft perfectly matched for the head and probably seated the head hydraulically. But at home you have to fit the haft to the head and that means repeatedly putting it on and taking it off until you get the fit you like. You gotta cut grooves to do that.

CedarEater · Dec 7, 2013

Square_peg said:
You gotta cut grooves to do that.

No you don't. The grooves get cut by the head itself everytime you tap the head a little further onto the haft while fitting it into the eye. I don't cut grooves, they cut themselves.

Square_peg · Dec 7, 2013

It's a lot less tapping if cut them yourself.

G-pig · Dec 7, 2013

Square_peg said:
It's a lot less tapping if cut them yourself.

More tapping might well mean a better fit though. Especially towards the end, where the head is nearly seated where it "ought to be", it's extremely tight. I never have any problems with loosening even using semi green wood.

rileybassman1 · Dec 7, 2013

Here is the head thus far:

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Seems to be turning out nice so far!

rileybassman1 · Dec 7, 2013

How is the edge looking... its pretty sharp, but should I lower the shoulders more, or will I loose toughness without much increase in performance?
Also, would you recommend sanding it as well or just keep it a user?

Square_peg · Dec 8, 2013

I think you need to thin the cheeks a little at about 1/2" back from the edge.

just_because · May 12, 2014

I had to register to say I just found a head that looks identical to that in my basement (its not mine, and I have only lived here a couple of years)
before mine went into the vinegar bath (which worked wonderfully) I could see that the Poll, top, bottom, to the cheek were painted red, then it had a vertical black stripe 1-2" wide.
does that help identify our axe?
My poll was used as a hammer, unlike yours which looks great, I plan to clean it up, hang it, and use it, I just hope I am not wasting my time on some harbor freight junk.

Square_peg · May 12, 2014

If yours is shaped like the one above - not just the outline - but has those convex cheeks, then it's probably a vintage axe not some Harbor Freight throwaway.

just_because · May 13, 2014

I dont have the eye to be able to tell any difference, let me get the rest of the handle drilled out.
Ill take some pictures like Riley did.

the color didnt show up on the camera.

Square_peg · May 13, 2014

That's vintage. And a good axe. Great candidate for cleaning up with a wire cup brush on an angle grinder. That axe will have a wonderful patina under that rust.

just_because · May 13, 2014

Square_peg said:
That's vintage. And a good axe. Great candidate for cleaning up with a wire cup brush on an angle grinder. That axe will have a wonderful patina under that rust.

thats exciting, thank you! Is there anyway to know if we have the same manufacturer?
Does the color scheme help identify it?
Council Tool keeps coming up in my google searches, all of their stuff has a stamp mark though correct?