How far is too far gone?

T

Triq

Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
351
I have an old double bit axe with serious pitting and rust. The steel looks like it has lots of little holes in it. there is some thinning around the edge of the eye and it hasn't had an edge on it in a good 30 plus years. I can post pictures later tonight as I'm at work but i was just wondering what some of you axe gurus thought about the safety of using an axe that's in such bad shape. I have done the whole vinegar soak for a few days and it took most of the rust off but there is a fair bit left to take off with a file. Lost cause? or a "who knows" till you see pics?
 
Anything that's still structurally sound and has enough tempered bit left to sharpen is restorable, IMO. Pitting around the eye would have to be pretty bad to make it unusable. I think that if you can wedge it without splitting the eye then you're probably OK.
 
Not to highjack your thread but it would be interesting to see some before and after pics of axes that were pretty far gone and restored to useable condition. Memphis' heavily pitted and polished double bit beauty that sold at the benefit auction comes to mind. Maybe that would help?
 
I've been asking myself this very question about the following head:
DSC01870.JPG


Cleaned a bit:
DSC02180.JPG


I really like the rich brown patina, so if I can get a nice edge on it and hang it, I think it would look pretty cool.
 
Here's a photo of an old Spillar axe that I found in a 2nd hand shop. I'm not sure if the bit has been added as a repair, or it's original.

spillaraxe-3.jpg

spillaraxe-4.jpg
 
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