How true do eyes run parallel to the plane of the bit?

[EngrSorenson]

Hey folks,

I’ve hung a few axes, and if I’m lucky I’ll get to hang a bunch more. I did notice, however, that the bits rarely run dead nuts straight with the handle. Recently at a Lowe’s I happened to notice Vaughan half hatchets do the same, and I’m guessing it’s probably typical. I use my axes a lot and it doesn’t effect performance, as far as I can tell.

However, my persnickety nature needs to know if it’s a problem with the shaping of the tongue, or if it’s the nature of production axe heads. It could be both, but I work pretty hard at making the tongue straight. So I ask- How true do eyes run parallel to the plane of the bit?

 

[waynorth]

Most run slightly off, especially to card-carrying OCDs like myself (and you??)
The vagaries of the crude forging stage??

 

[Pomsbz]

Most run slightly off, especially to card-carrying OCDs like myself (and you??)
The vagaries of the crude forging stage??

Good to see you back here mate!

 

[waynorth]

Good to see you back here mate!

Thanks!! I'm no longer all here (replacement parts!), but I was never all there!!

 

[mcc850]

Let’s see some pics of these axes why’dont’cha!

 

[euroken]

Lol, I know nothing about axes and when I read this thread, I went straight to Google and typed, “Anatomy of an axe.”

Lesson learned! Thank you!

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Let’s see some pics of these axes why’dont’cha!

Best I can do at the moment, however I believe it doesn't quite work for this thread. As its not an axe nor does it have an eye....

 

[screened porch]

I thought you meant how true are our anatomical eyes with the plane of the bit. (Mine are perfect.)

 

[EngrSorenson]

Hahaha! I must have been half asleep when I posted this. It should have been in the axe forum. knarfeng Peregrin

I’ll add some pictures when I get home!

 

[waynorth]

I still have my Grampa's axe!! I've had it for 67 years!!
I've replaced the handle 6 or 7 times, but I've only replaced the head a couple of times!!
Works great for an old axe!!

 

[EngrSorenson]

I still have my Grampa's axe!! I've had it for 67 years!!
I've replaced the handle 6 or 7 times, but I've only replaced the head a couple of times!!
Works great for an old axe!!

Near as I can tell I have a 1930s-1940s craftsman, and since my dad was born in ‘39, I figure it was my grandpa’s. Unfortunately neither of them are here anymore to confirm my suspicion, but I think of them both fondly when I use it. I love old tools for all kinds of reasons, sentimentality included.

 

[Square_peg]

This is common. I've made several posts about how to align the haft to the head. I'll see if I can find some links.

It does make a difference.

 

[Square_peg]

This is common. I've made several posts about how to align the haft to the head. I'll see if I can find some links.

It does make a difference.

Here's one.

Walters axe with knob end handle WIP - Pic Heavy

Here's the full story of restoring an old Walters and creating a knob end handle for it. The inspiration for this build came from an old thread we had last Spring: Full size single bit design https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/full-size-single-bit-design.1480730/#post-17035485 I started with...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[Square_peg]

Remember that you're not just aligning the haft to the axe but also aligning the axe to the haft. You can grind and sharpen the axe to better align with the haft. The earlier you think about these things the more degrees of freedom you have to correct them.

 

[Square_peg]

Here's another post about aligning the haft to the axe and vice versa.

Hanging a replica 18th c. American axe

This thread will show my part in finishing the 18th c. styled axe that Jake forged last year. See original thread here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/r-d-18th-c-american-axe.1657540/ I was grateful that he entrusted me to work on his axe. I shared many emails with Jake and Old Axeman to...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Practically speaking, minor misalignments don't have a big impact on performance, but of course they're undesirable compared to the bit running true, and as Square_peg mentioned it's a common thing that can be taken into account when rehanging.