It followed me home

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I went to a BBQ contest today (qualifier for a major whiskey distiller's national contest) and next door was a swap meet. No way I could resist that. I tried to keep my wallet in my pocket but there were a few things I just couldn't resist.

First up - you guessed it - another axe. I've been wanting to add a wide blade softwood axe to my line up, something like a Jersey or Connecticut pattern. When I saw this old Rockaway I had to inquire. The price was almost a give away. This will be a sweet softwood feller once I get it cleaned up and rehung.

You like that classy haft?
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This old drawknife caught my eye. These old folders are nice and fetch a pretty penny in good condition. This one had been in a barn fire so I mentioned that the temper was probably ruined and picked it up for $5. It's an A. J. Wilkinson made in Boston, Mass.

I'll test the temper with a file and if it's soft I'll re-harden and temper it. I can turn some new handles on my lathe. Shined up this will be a dandy.
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I've been wanting one of these but I just couldn't convince myself to drop $70 on a new one. It's a brush blade for my scythe.
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It's a True Temper Kelly Works. You suppose it's as good as a new one? ;)
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Last up another axe, a cruiser again. It's a little rough but it was another giveaway. I'll have to clean up both my cruisers and then pick which one to hang. The other one will be off to ebay to pay for both of them and the new cruiser handle I bought.
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Total cost for 4 items - $17. And the BBQ was free.
 
$17 very well spent!

I dread to think how often that axe had been used with the haft all splintered up with those jubilee clips :eek:

Never seen a folding draw knife like that. I hope it comes out nicely. Will love to see how it looks once you spruce it up and give it some new handles.

As for the DB....I was beginning to think the one I got in the post over the weekend was ugly!!

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This cost me just shy of £15/$25.

They are pretty hard come by here in Blighty. Not sure how its gonna come out with that big chunk outta the heel.

3.9lb head, no discernable markings other than an "I" or "1" stamped on one of the faces.

My boss, who knows nothing of axes, other than what he has picked up from me, commented on the dual profile.
I guess he was paying attention.
 
scruffuk said:
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My boss, who knows nothing of axes, other than what he has picked up from me, commented on the dual profile.
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That's not uncommon with double bits. Usually one edge was kept sharp for felling while the other edge was used for dirty work, swamping, clearing haul roads, etc. The dirty work edge has often been filed down many times giving the axe an unbalanced appearance.
 
Square_peg said:
That's not uncommon with double bits. Usually one edge was kept sharp for felling while the other edge was used for dirty work, swamping, clearing haul roads, etc. The dirty work edge has often been filed down many times giving the axe an unbalanced appearance.
Click to expand...

Indeed, that's what I'd told him the other week when I was returning the Ox-Head DB I'd bought.
I was just surprised he was paying attention!

There is definitely more meat to the cheeks on one of the bits. Its good to see.
 
Square_peg said:
I went to a BBQ contest today (qualifier for a major whiskey distiller's national contest) and next door was a swap meet. No way I could resist that. I tried to keep my wallet in my pocket but there were a few things I just couldn't resist.

First up - you guessed it - another axe. I've been wanting to add a wide blade softwood axe to my line up, something like a Jersey or Connecticut pattern. When I saw this old Rockaway I had to inquire. The price was almost a give away. This will be a sweet softwood feller once I get it cleaned up and rehung.

You like that classy haft?
Rockaway_pattern_axe.jpg
Click to expand...

I love this one. I'll have to remember that trick for a busted handle. :eek:

Nice find Peg.
 
cooperhill said:
Rockaway_pattern_axe.jpg

I love this one. I'll have to remember that trick for a busted handle. :eek:
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Yep. Just splice the handle with a scrap of steel. And if the hose clamps won't tighten down then just shim it with an old drill bit. That's what all the old lumberjacks did.
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Haft aside, it's a Rockaway for $4. I ain't complainin'.

The owner bragged about what a fantastic splitter it was. Except that the grain of the haft was exactly 90° off of what it should have been. That, combined with will all the overstrikes is undoubtedly what lead to the fantastic repair job. Now that Matt set me straight I'll add some duct tape and it'll be good as new.
 
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$10. Labeled as vintage forged. Not sure yet. Only marking is 3 1/2. Looks to be in good shape



 
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Square_peg said:
Nice pair! And a watch to boot. Can't beat that deal.
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I removed the scrap metal from the kerfs and vicinities, and put the heads back on with softwood wedges and expanding poly glue. My theory is that that should hold them despite their frayed ends. I'll post a couple more pics later in the day.
(The watch is a mechanical Swiss alarm watch for my brother- he can fix it for himself or trade it with somebody who loves the brand.)
 
cooperhill said:
$10. Labeled as vintage forged. Not sure yet. Only marking is 3 1/2. Looks to be in good shape



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Hey, Coop! How wide is that Jersey, 5"? It's in fine shape. Still some original paint and no deep rust. With one that nice I'd skip the vinegar and just clean it up with a wire wheel - save that nice patina.
 
Square_peg said:
I've been wanting one of these but I just couldn't convince myself to drop $70 on a new one. It's a brush blade for my scythe.
Brush_blade.jpg


It's a True Temper Kelly Works. You suppose it's as good as a new one? ;)
Brush_blade2.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice, dude! That looks like it's in good shape! I like the slight "beard" it has at the heel of the blade. Real good for finishing the cut.
 
scrteened porch said:
I removed the scrap metal from the kerfs and vicinities, and put the heads back on with softwood wedges and expanding poly glue. My theory is that that should hold them despite their frayed ends. I'll post a couple more pics later in the day.
(The watch is a mechanical Swiss alarm watch for my brother- he can fix it for himself or trade it with somebody who loves the brand.)
Click to expand...

pics-let's see-

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/77365440/c%26l1.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/77365440/c%26l2.JPG
 
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I'm heading out to a tool dealer in the sticks today, with a couple hundred bucks in tote. Stay tuned to see what "follows me home".... One of the benefits of being a youngen is that a lot of these old farts want to see tools go to young people who want to use them, and those are few and far between.
 
G-pig said:
I'm heading out to a tool dealer in the sticks today, with a couple hundred bucks in tote. Stay tuned to see what "follows me home".... One of the benefits of being a youngen is that a lot of these old farts want to see tools go to young people who want to use them, and those are few and far between.
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Best of luck, g-pig! Go get 'em!
 
It went very well indeed. spent 34 bucks and took home; 3 snow and nealley axes, 2 pound, what seems like 2 3/4 and a 3. Patina and light rust, they will clean up great. No handles. I paid a whopping 5 dollars for the three of them (He actually "threw in" the 3 pounder. pretty cool). Got a couple of crosscut auxiliary handles for a buck a piece, I think Disston and Atkins. A 42" swede saw for a fiver, the blade still good and not induction hardened. A wombo 4 sided wood rasp for 2 bucks. Tinners riveting hammer to replace the POS tacking hammer I am using to set saws now. And last, but most defenitely NOT least, a 6 foot Simonds Tuttle tooth combo felling/bucking saw with Simonds loop handles. The saw is straight, no missing teeth, has only been sharpened a few times. Little to no rust, just patina. Paid 18 bucks for that. I could probably yank the handles, oil them and sell them for twice that easily. Really good haul.

I would have you all drowned in pics but I returned home to a broken camera. I'll post some pics as soon and this crap gets sorted out!
 
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