I'm sure it's nothing special, but can anyone help me identify this thrift axe head?

S

Samot

Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
103
I've picked up a bit of an axe bug from you guys, so when I ran across a full sized axe head on a beat up handle at the thrift store for $4, I bought it to see what I can do with it. I can't find any distinguishing marks on the head, but there are remnants of what must have been a label. Maybe someone with more experience (ie: anyone on these boards) Will recognize the colors.

Aside from the rust, it looks like it's not in bad condition. There's some deformation of the hammer head edges, but the eye seems intact with no deformation, although, one side of the top of the head is higher than the other.

Here are some pics:

IMG_20120113_151131.jpg


IMG_20120113_151205.jpg


Here's where the label was

IMG_20120113_151057.jpg


The top

IMG_20120113_151310.jpg


The wedge (is that the right word?)

IMG_20120113_151700.jpg


Aside from the rust, it looks like it's not in bad condition. There's some deformation of the hammer head edges, but the eye seems intact with no deformation, although, one side of the top of the head is higher than the other. Is that an indication of damage?

IMG_20120113_153558.jpg


Also, what's the proper procedure for cleaning something like this up? I'm reading a few links on restoration, but any quick tips would be appreciated. Is there anything wrong with looking for a replacement handle at a major hardware store like home depot or lowes?

Thanks for looking and any feedback you can provide.
 
The shape does look a bit Collins Homestead-ish.

This is my new favorite rust removal solution:

P1060789.JPG


I finally broke down and tried this because of Operator.
 
cooperhill said:
Looks like a Collins (maybe Homestead) to me.
Click to expand...

I'll take a look at them and see if I can identify which one.

M3mphis said:
The shape does look a bit Collins Homestead-ish.

This is my new favorite rust removal solution:

P1060789.JPG


I finally broke down and tried this because of Operator.
Click to expand...

That's awesome, but I don't wanna buy a super expensive hand grinder to clean up a 4 dollar axe :) I'll put it on my wire wheel bench grinder and see how it comes out.
 
The wire wheel bench grinder will work just as well. Just as long as it does not have super heavy bristles. If they are extremely stiff, they will scratch up the head.

You can also soak it in white vinegar or CLR or something. Then you can clean it up with a toothbrush. Just takes longer to soak. Tons of threads on that here.

The upswept shape on top is not damage. It's just the shape. You can buy a handle anywhere. Most people seem to have better luck with an ace or true value than a home depot.
 
I went at it with the wire wheel and, while it still has the patina, it looks a lot better. While I was out there, I figured I'd give sharpening a shot, since I'd never done it before (that was most of the point of buying one cheap, practice/experimentation). There were quite a few nicks in the blade, but they worked out over time. I got it pretty sharp. It had a serious burr that I removed with a hand stone and it looks like it will perform pretty well if I can find a good handle.

IMG_20120113_165014.jpg


IMG_20120113_165134.jpg


Also, after the wire wheel, there were some markings on the side where the label had been which could say "US 32" but I can really only make out the "US"

IMG_20120113_165226.jpg


Is there any harm in grinding off the deformations on the sides near the hammer face?
Also, what is the shortest handle length you'd recommend for a head this size?

Any more info or feedback would be great, but my next step is to see how it looks when it comes out of the CLR soak I put it in, then take it to some local hardware stores (thanks for the tip about ace/truvalue, I'll try dixieline too) and see if I can find a handle.

Thanks
 
I would just file off the burrtill it is flat and smooth and stop there. Don;t know if it is an old American Hoe and Tool Think that is the name of it) axe.. They made a lot of things mark US back then. mabye an axe for a JEEP?
 
If your going to grind the mushroom'ing off the poll instead of filing, just be careful not to over heat the metal. For that small bit a file would be cleaner. And the axe handle really depends on the head weight. I'd guess your axe is around 4 pounds? So a 36'' handle will be about right, unless you want a more general purpose 32''. Heavier heads and shorter handles don't work well though IMO...
 
Thanks for all the replies. I caught sight of the marking with the light at a particular angle and now I'm sure it says "US 82". If Woodings-Verona is the only company that marked their heads like that, it looks like we got a winner and it's 30 years old! I could see how someone could addicted to buying, identifying and restoring axes. I'm hoping it doesn't happen to me, I already have too many hobbies.

I'll probably have another go at the poll with a file instead of the grinder, as I don't really wanna mess up the patina on the rest of the head until I decide if I'm really going to polish it up completely.

Thanks for all the help, it's been fun!
 
Samot said:
I could see how someone could be addicted to buying, identifying and restoring axes. I'm hoping it doesn't happen to me, I already have too many hobbies.

Thanks for all the help, it's been fun!
Click to expand...


If you can now understand why people are addicted to collecting axes, its too late to go back.
 
Crazyotter said:
...its too late to go back.
Click to expand...
Nooooooooooooooooo.... ok fine.

bearhunter said:
im going with collins...
Click to expand...
What evidence is there to support that? Did they mark their heads the same way?


Thanks for all the responses. I decided to clean it up a bit more, since filing the poll left unignorable shiny spots. One side is definitely pitted much deeper than the other, but the overall effect is nice. I just need a handle now.

IMG_20120114_020244.jpg


IMG_20120114_020303.jpg


The old handle is still a nice piece of wood, I only lost about 6 inches cutting off the damaged portion. Can it be used as a handle for a smaller axe somehow or is it simply a really nice stick now?
 
Samot said:
The old handle is still a nice piece of wood, I only lost about 6 inches cutting off the damaged portion. Can it be used as a handle for a smaller axe somehow or is it simply a really nice stick now?
Click to expand...

Sure you can. It just depends on what you can match them up to. All three of these used to be much longer, fatter handles:

P1060825.JPG


The one on the left turned out kinda awkward looking, but it actually feels quite nice. So we'll see.
 
I always make an effort to salvage old handles. This will come in handy when the addiction really kicks in and you have old axe heads arriving weekly in the mail. Here's a good tutorial on one method of removing a handle in a way that allows you to re-use it.http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/875111-Remove-an-axe-head-and-reuse-the-handle

Sometimes a handle just can't be saved but I usually make an attempt. It feels good to salvage an old handle, once you get them sanded and oiled they often look really good.
 
Last edited:
I found a handle today at dixieline. They only had one that would remotely fit, so it was a bit of work shaping it. I may have taken too much material off the front, but after driving it all the way in and putting in the wedge, it seems really solid. I'll check it often for damage and make sure it doesn't loosen. I don't actually plan on doing a ton of chopping, but I've been wanting an axe and was happy for the opportunity to restore one.

Here are some pics of how it turned out.

IMG_20120114_230930.jpg


IMG_20120114_231019.jpg


IMG_20120114_230951.jpg


IMG_20120114_231114.jpg


Thanks for the info about the handles. I'll keep this old one around in case I run across a head that can use it. I'm going to keep an eye out for a store that has a larger selection of handles also, since the older handle was only about an inch shorter, but it's overall diameter was smaller and more comfortable for my hands. The new one is pretty beefy.

Thanks for all the responses!

Edit: I sanded and oiled the handle, I'll post a couple more pics tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top