Is this double bit ax head good?

[ackeith4570]

When it comes to ax restoration i am a complete novice. I really wanted a double bit ax and found nothing for sale that interested me. I went to my local pawn shop and found this double bit head there, he threw it in with a knife i got. Is this head worth putting a handle on? Why on some double bit axes is there groves on the head?

It is stamped with lewistown pa.






Thanks.

 

[300Six]

Probably take a bit of file work to spruce up the blades and you'll have to take a crash course in re-hafting but all that time and effort will bear fruit. The relief in the blades is a means to reduce 'sticking' when the axe is sunk into a piece of wood. That feature is common to a few (or is it one) reputable domestic manufacturers. Someone here will pipe up regarding 'make' of yours.

 

[Square_peg]

That axe shows considerable use. It's almost used up. The indentations in the axe are called 'phantom bevels'. They are as 300Six stated, to reduce sticking. But on modern axes they are really decorative. 150 years ago axes were made with lesser steel and made much thicker to compensate for that steel. Those axes had deep bevels in the cheeks and deep bevels became the norm for a quality axe. As steel technology advanced and axes became thinner some later manufacturers often included these 'phantom bevels' as a stylistic feature.

When it left the factory that axe probably had at least an inch of steel beyond the phantom bevel. The toe (upper point) of that axe on the right side is worn all the way down to the bevel. It could be getting close to running out of hardened steel on that side.

Give it a vinegar soak for a couple days and the quench line will be revealed. Then you can decide if there's enough steel left to make it worth re-handling.

 

[Square_peg]

It is stamped with lewistown pa.

Then it was likely made by the Mann Edge Tool Co., a good maker. Mann bought up the Collins name and made those from 1966 (?) until about 2000. Operator can correct me on those dates. A vintage Mann would have quality steel to match any maker of the time.

 

[ackeith4570]

Thanks for all the information yall! just what i was looking for ! Thanks again very much appreciated!