I'm trying to learn how to rehang an axe

[WVHILLS]

I started with an old axe I found the other day with a broken haft. I went to my local hardware store and picked up a hickory haft and some wedges.



The haft I bought was too large to fit so I sanded it, only way too much...



I drove the wooden wedge in anyway and then two metal ones







It just didn't look right to me, the axe head needed to be seated further down correct?



The day I picked up the strange Kelly axe I also bought a short haft because I had never seen one before and was originally going to hang the Kelly on the short haft. But after I read squarepeg's post in another thread about the "mining axe" I decided the short haft would be better suited for it.









I feel much more confident with this rehanging than the first.

 

[300Six]

Wow I don't know what all ya done but you've been busy and it looks to be whatever you're swinging is going to stay together!

 

[WVHILLS]

Wow I don't know what all ya done but you've been busy and it looks to be whatever you're swinging is going to stay together!

That's all I care about, so long as it stays together! :thumbup:

 

[Alocksly]

Second pass looks better than the first. A big head on a short handle is handy if you have a fireplace or woodstove to trim down cordwood and split kindling.

 

[WVHILLS]

Second pass looks better than the first. A big head on a short handle is handy if you have a fireplace or woodstove to trim down cordwood and split kindling.

Thanks, I've got three or four more axes and mauls to re-handle so hopefully I get progressively better at it.

 

[WVHILLS]

I'm a Deputy Sheriff in Southern WV, this morning at about 0400 I get a called to a domestic in progress allegedly involving a subject armed with a knife. When I arrive I find the "victim" and I use that term loosely...intoxicated and under the influence of Xanax. Victim alleges that his step son attacked him outback in his tool shed. While I'm clearing the property looking for the suspect ( he was long gone prior to my arrival but I didn't know that ) I enter the tool shed in question and find at least 5 or 6 old looking axes in various states of disrepair!!! I've never wanted to stop what I was doing on a call before and start rummaging through old axes until now, I think I have a problem lol...but in the interest of my own safety and professionalism, I continued with my sweep of the property.

 

[jpeeler]

Hah, wait a couple weeks, put out the word you 'pick' for axes, make sure this guy gets the message. Step two, enjoy.

 

[WVHILLS]

Hah, wait a couple weeks, put out the word you 'pick' for axes, make sure this guy gets the message. Step two, enjoy.

He didn't seem very pleased when I told him I wouldn't take his complaint until he had sobered up lol.

 

[jpeeler]

Ok, wait a couple of months instead!

 

[jpeeler]

By the way, great work on the second hang. You improved very quickly. Some things just take experience to learn.

 

[WVHILLS]

By the way, great work on the second hang. You improved very quickly. Some things just take experience to learn.

Thank you, I have several more to practice on. I think it's a skill worth learning though.

 

[300Six]

While I'm clearing the property looking for the suspect ( he was long gone prior to my arrival but I didn't know that ) I enter the tool shed in question and find at least 5 or 6 old looking axes in various states of disrepair!!! I've never wanted to stop what I was doing on a call before and start rummaging through old axes until now, I think I have a problem lol...but in the interest of my own safety and professionalism, I continued with my sweep of the property.

Thanks for sharing that story. Most everyone (axe nuts or collectors, anyway) has memories of an event such as this (finding some neat axes on someone else's property) that then prompts them to specifically start keeping a close eye out for others from that day on. In my case I renovated houses as a living and routinely would come across axes in the garage, shed or basement. Very few were still in use and most owners were quite happy to barter or exchange for something else of more use or value to them. You do start getting pickier once you've got 2-3 dozen stacked away at your own house.

 

[lmalterna]

It is always nice to see your skill grow

I thought this hobby for me would involve buying one or two at a time to rework and rehaft then gift or sell them to buy a couple more. I am afraid to count the unmounted heads and axes needing work but my wife insists there are over 40 waiting. I think of that as hobby-security. The folks at the local flea market recognize me by face.

Bill

 

[M3mphis]

Looks like you are a very fast learner. Looking good!

It is always nice to see your skill grow

I thought this hobby for me would involve buying one or two at a time to rework and rehaft then gift or sell them to buy a couple more. I am afraid to count the unmounted heads and axes needing work but my wife insists there are over 40 waiting. I think of that as hobby-security. The folks at the local flea market recognize me by face.

Bill

"Hobby-security," I like that. You've got to be grateful these days. There are millions of hobbyless folks in America.

 

[WVHILLS]

Thanks for sharing that story. Most everyone (axe nuts or collectors, anyway) has memories of an event such as this (finding some neat axes on someone else's property) that then prompts them to specifically start keeping a close eye out for others from that day on. In my case I renovated houses as a living and routinely would come across axes in the garage, shed or basement. Very few were still in use and most owners were quite happy to barter or exchange for something else of more use or value to them. You do start getting pickier once you've got 2-3 dozen stacked away at your own house.

You're welcome, and now I find myself driving down back roads eyeballing barns and sheds wondering what rusty and forgotten treasures are inside.

 

[SC T100]

You're welcome, and now I find myself driving down back roads eyeballing barns and sheds wondering what rusty and forgotten treasures are inside.

I do the same thing...passed quite a few on a trip on the backroads the other day. I know they're in there somewhere!

 

[Square_peg]

You're welcome, and now I find myself driving down back roads eyeballing barns and sheds wondering what rusty and forgotten treasures are inside.

I do the same thing...passed quite a few on a trip on the backroads the other day. I know they're in there somewhere!

I think a lot of us are doing this. My area still has a lot of turn of the century small farms with barns. Whenever I can get invited I always want to peek around.