Immediate Rust

[M3mphis]

Just my 2 cents, After a vinegar soak I rinse and scrub them off with a scotchbrite pad. I dry them and then rinse(spray) them off with brake cleaner and let dry. I them wax with Butchers Bowling alley wax. I rewax after sharpening if i don't do it right away.

That's an interesting idea. Sometimes I wax the heads with Howard's paste wax, which is actually meant for wood, but it works.

 

[bearhunter]

you could also try rust bluing. ive only done it to my TH, but am going to try it on an axe as well. i just have to find the right one i want to try it on... it works reall well and looks very nice IMO...

can someone say my next project

http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16456

 

[Operator1975]

How about eliminate the vinegar and use an angle grinder with knotted brush?

 

[Broady]

How about eliminate the vinegar and use an angle grinder with knotted brush?

Operator, I really enjoy the fresh metal look, but with an age to it, if that makes any sense... BTW, you can't own every axe on fleabay. You are always bidding against me...

 

[Square_peg]

Should I take the time to rinse them, or just get them dry straight out of the vinegar?

I would rinse them thoroughly for an extended period. I've read in a blacksmithing book that acid actually gets into the surface of the wood to a very short depth. That book recommended and extended rinse. Using hot water will heat the axe and cause any excess water to evaporate very quickly. Then coat with whatever you prefer.

 

[Square_peg]

That's it. 15 minutes or so and you're done.

I'm sure you were careful posing that image but it still pains me to see a nice edge in contact with a concrete block.

 

[Square_peg]

How about eliminate the vinegar and use an angle grinder with knotted brush?

Knotted brushes are made with high carbon steel wire and may remove patina while cleaning your axe. That's fine if that's the look you want. If you wish to preserve your patina then use a brass wire brush. The softer brass is gentler on the surface.

 

[Operator1975]

Operator, I really enjoy the fresh metal look, but with an age to it, if that makes any sense... BTW, you can't own every axe on fleabay. You are always bidding against me...

I have only purchased 3 axes since the first of the year, and have sold 15. So I am not your worry, trust me.

I have found if you hit the head with the knotted brush, then hit it with WD40 - it gives you a great look to that axe head.

Enjoy.