I bought this axe head for $20. Project or paperweight?

yes, boiling water needs some base rust to act on... so people use salt/hydrogen peroxide mix to spray on, get an even red rust layer, then drop into boiling water...

this is the old style, 'traditional' gun bluing

someone made a video comparing bluing methods ->
 
I could see this damage while I was cleaning up the axe head, but it's more pronounced when I fit it for hanging. The cheeks of the axe look to have been hammered in, I'm assuming to tighten the fit on a previous handle.

I'm debating on knocking out the cheeks back or sanding the handle to make it fit.

20220805_174553_copy_1233x925.jpg20220805_174508_copy_1601x1200.jpg
 
yeah, probably some misguided attempt to tighten it up in the past... but it's not too bad
 
That is just begging for Naval jelly, IMO. Great way to protect from rust and give it a classic look all in one shot.
 
I finished hanging the axe today. I'm really happy with the handle I chose (31") for length and fitment of the axe head. The sheath I got just barely fits. If the axe was any bigger I'd be looking for a different sheath. This one should stretch and become a perfect snug fit. Right now it's a chore to snap the button.

I didn't have to take off much material for a really nice fit to the handle. I didn't have the best rasps, but I used what I had. Lots of minor adjustments/fitting.

I used glue on the wedge. There was about ⅜" of the wedge that got cut off after pounding it. I buried it pretty well. I was worried it would go half way and stop.

I applied weather proofing paste on the sheath, and handle wax on the handle. I used the handle wax to fill the tiny gaps between the axe head and the handle.
 
I want to say say thank you to the good man who sold me this axe head. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

He told me he had a handful of axe heads to hang and had been on Bladeforums researching, so there's a chance he'll find this thread and recognize the axe. 20220806_172719_copy_1003x1338.jpg

Thanks for following along so far, I'll add some more pictures after I get it sharpened up and split some stuff.

So far I only did 2 chops and it works nicely as it is. I don't have a proper chopping block, so I was using an old wooden table I made about a decade ago.
 
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Very nice thread and it looks great. Should you ever need to rehang it, opening up the cheeks with a splitting wedge and a 2 lb. hammer would not be a major project.
 
Boattale said:
Very nice thread and it looks great. Should you ever need to rehang it, opening up the cheeks with a splitting wedge and a 2 lb. hammer would not be a major project.
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Thanks, yeah I forgot to mention I did use a piece of steel and a sledge hammer to knock things a bit straighter. It helped to reduce the amount of shaping I had to do on the handle to make it fit.
 
That came out really nice! :thumbsup:
Them bent eyes make things much more difficult. If the next one you do has a straight eye it will be like a walk in the park.

I have had some success using railroad spikes as wedges and localized heat to straighten bent eyes. I have never been able to get them perfect though.
 
After getting it sharpened.20220809_162405_copy_1047x1397_1.jpg20220809_162530_copy_1039x1385.jpg20220809_162550_copy_1044x1393.jpg20220809_162308_copy_1024x1366.jpg
Scary sharp now. I'll have to be careful with this.

The sharpener offered to put some tool grease on it for protection and better performance, but I might do a naval jelly treatment yet so I declined.

When he was done sharpening he also put the sheath on the correct way. I had it wrapped around the back of the axe head.
 
A great looking axe. Thanks for sharing the project with us. I’m always looking for an axe head project but ain’t had one in quite a while.

One thing that I didn’t see mentioned; seal the handle end of the haft good with wax and leave the head end unsealed. It will draw moisture from the air on that end and keep the head snug.

That sharpening job really sets off that patina. $25 well spent I think.
 
JM2 said:
A great looking axe. Thanks for sharing the project with us. I’m always looking for an axe head project but ain’t had one in quite a while.

One thing that I didn’t see mentioned; seal the handle end of the haft good with wax and leave the head end unsealed. It will draw moisture from the air on that end and keep the head snug.

That sharpening job really sets off that patina. $25 well spent I think.
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Thanks for the tip! I'll get my wax seal off the top.

I'm very happy with the sharpening job. The guy who sharpened it did a great job. I got him to sharpen the knife I was carrying and he put a phenomenal edge on it too.

I shaved hair off my arm with the axe.
 
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