I modified my Axe. Thoughts?

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

This is my first time trying to upload pics so lets see if it works.

I bought a new Hults Bruk Atran 3.5 lb felling axe. It was nice the way it came but still somewhat rough. I cleaned up the handle and gave it an egg shape instead of the oval. Maybe I will thin it out more in time but it really feels great now.

The head as you can see I gave it a slight hollow grind( nothing crazy ). and then removed some material to give it a little better flow visually. By doing this the balance is much better. I also gave it the mirror polish and put a razor edge on it. It takes and holds that edge really well.

So is there anything else that I might have missed with the tune up or might want to try? Or on the other hand is there anything that I might have done that has caused some sort of harm?

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

Well crap. I still can't make pics work

Steve Tall · Dec 16, 2015

skillgannon said:
Well crap. I still can't make pics work

I right-clicked on the photo at imgur, then chose Copy Image Location to get the .JPG location, which I pasted here using the Insert Image icon:

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

Thanks. I will mess with it some more when I get home

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

Thanks for your help I got it to work

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

So as you can all see the phantom bevels of the true temper gave me some ideas. Any thoughts?

markv · Dec 16, 2015

i've some work like what you purpose.
takes time to get things even and to sand out the file/sanding marks.
worth doing on older bits imho.

Hacked · Dec 16, 2015

From what I can see it's some fine work. I wish there were more currently produced axes with these attributes.

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

Here is how it balances now. I don't have before pics but it was bit heavy. Now even though the bit is pointing down that is the contour of the handle. The balance is right at the forward edge of the handle.

It feels pounds lighter even though its only a few oz.

I haven't used it a lot but it does seem more accurate. Also I use the flicking method of splitting and its easier to make the poll "pop".

Lieblad · Dec 16, 2015

.....

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

LOL. You are not the first one to say that. And shave it will!
I just put a satin finish on tonight. I think I like it but I'm not sure how well it will hold up. I'm thinking of going with an acid patina or blueing it. I will re mirror the cheeks though. I did that to the little Husquevarna that's in the pic and its so easy to clean up with just a little bit of steel wool.

skillgannon · Dec 16, 2015

I might start a new thread but feel free to toss in any ideas for mods to the Husquavana multipurpose forest axe. I have 2 of them that I am playing with right now. They are just so good. I would love to hear how they could be made better.

joshiecole · Dec 17, 2015

Skill, I'm not sure I am keen on the flaming on the handles, but each to their own. I do however like the phantom bevels on the Hults Bruks. I actually have a photoshopped picture of exactly this axe on which I had drawn phantom bevels just like yours. Now I know what it'd look like for real.

cityofthesouth · Dec 18, 2015

If you go super quick on the flame you can darken only the grain and that kinda looks cool. I'd probably just blacken the whole thing then steel wool it. Anyway, I REALLY like the satin finish and that picture of it makes it look straight out of a 1920 axe shop. Nice job I say. That looks like a nice little axe to me.

skillgannon · Dec 18, 2015

I got pretty into the flame when I realized what it does to the polish. I scorched it post Danish oil and then used steel wool and it took a crazy polish but still feels very warm and will not give blisters like varnish.
I will probably thin the sides of the handle and if I do use flame I will be carful not to scorch as deep.