I got this Double Bit axe 20 years ago and was wondering if you guys thought

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warman

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Feb 16, 2005
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I got this Double Bit axe 20 years ago and old when I got it and was wondering if you guys thought if they were dangerous to use? That was back when I was young and bullet proof :rolleyes: but I'm older now and injuries take much longer to heal and body parts grow back.
Sell it? Hang it on the wall? I got married cuz I had nothing else to live for and don't care?
TIA,
Warman
Should I put up a pic?
 
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I just hung a double bit axe from the 60's. Well, it belonged to my Step-Father's Dad. Either way, it's old, too much rust to make out any Maker's Marks.
It seems to work fine. Unless it's damaged, cracked, or something, why should it be dangerous? If it's needs a handle, then re-hang the head. I just did it, and I wanted to save the axe head, get the experience, and have a double bit axe to use.
Warman, I saw your other post, and those old ones are usually pretty good, likely a forged tool! But, you can use that one, sharpen it, and decide for yourself to get the GB or other.
If you need to learn how to hang an axe, search around, there's so great info, even on You Tube. But this source is close to gospel...http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/fspubs/99232823/index.htm
 
post a pic.
then we can tell you if it should be a wallhanger, user, or gift to me. :)
 
Thanks guys, yea it's like new since I refurbished it years ago with Navel Jelly, Rustolem paint job and a new handle. So folks had said that you stand a chance of opening yourself up because of the second blade.
 
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How about a picture of this dangerous ax ;-))) You have to be doing something pretty stupid to cut yourself on the second bit.

Regards

Robin
 
warman said:
Thanks guys, yea it's like new since I refurbished it year ago with Navel Jelly and a new handle. So folks had said that you stand a chance of opening yourself up because of the second blade.
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Sounds like it should be fine to use. I've used 100+ year old axe heads with no problem. I second the notion for a picture. :)
 
The pic is HERE It say H D H on it. I can barely read it. Looks like this is the original handle after all. I've done so many I lost track.
 
That looks very useable to me. Give it a few chops and see if everything's tight, then beat the hell out of it :)
 
what's dangerous about it? just use the damn thing. i've got an old craftsman that i use all the time.
 
Nothing dangerous about them. Plus its nice to sink the opposing side in a stump when you heed to touch up an edge. You can put two different bevels on as well, which was a common practice.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys. What the main thing I was interested in knowing is several folks told me years ago that they are dangerous because of the second blade hitting ones self. Apologizes for not making that clear.
 
warman said:
...the second blade hitting ones self...
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Just don't chop at an overhead branch and have it bounce back into your head (I've heard that it happened).
Also, I think I read in the book "Splitting Wood" that sometimes a stuck axe head will get "squeezed" by partially split wood and pop back up, and I think this has nailed some people with the poll. So stay clear of that back edge.
 
Steve Tall said:
Just don't chop at an overhead branch and have it bounce back into your head (I've heard that it happened).
Also, I think I read in the book "Splitting Wood" that sometimes a stuck axe head will get "squeezed" by partially split wood and pop back up, and I think this has nailed some people with the poll. So stay clear of that back edge.
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Yea that's what i heard. I haven't eve heard of the axe popping back because of wood squeeze.
 
I found the reference, here's a quote from page 51 of the book "Splitting Firewood" by David Tresemer, mentioned in the following thread (with link to a free download of the book):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/802260

"Sometimes the splitting ax gets stuck in the top of the billet. Then I lean over to push down with my left hand while prying loose with my right hand. Occasionally the ax suddenly pops out toward my face, rising a foot or more from the wood. Broken teeth have been reported from this type of encounter. A preventive measure is to keep the left arm straight so the face is not close to the wood. Another preventative measure is to know reaction wood, the type of wood that has this extra spring to propel ax heads upward. Reaction wood is the tree's response to injuries and to the weight of branches..."
 
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