keep or Flip?

[D-R0CK]

So I found a "Genuine Norlund" axe head on my parents property while visiting and doing some yard work for them. Booya! It was buried a bit and seeing as this is washington, covered in rust. The eye of the head still had a broken portion of the haft and (what I presume is) the original, barbed steel wedge in it. It was a real bear getting the wood out. After removing the rust, I found the head was more pitted than I had surmised. So I scrapped the complete restoration idea and changed to a "fatigued/functional" look. I cleaned all the rust off except in the pits, then washed with muriatic acid. The acid helped clear out the rust, and etched the steel. Interestingly, the acid etched a clear line, apparently from a differential hardening.

This axe seems to be high quality. I sharpened the edge to 20 degrees per side and then bought a 3/4 length ash haft (24") and dyed it. Now, the question: is this an heirloom quality tool I should hang onto, or, being a poor college student, do I flip it? I don't know anything about axes. Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[Square_peg]

You might want to keep it just because it's a family axe. Norlunds aren't particularly old or rare. They are of good quality but not top shelf. They are extremely popular right now and fetch a price at auction beyond what I value them at. I sell the ones I find but I would more than likely keep one that had been in the family.

And yes, the dark line is the quench line. That's the portion of the bit that has been hardened.

 

[D-R0CK]

FYI for everyone who may be reading: I won't be selling this tool to anyone here. If anyone is interested, I'm sorry but I'm not going that route, as I think it's against the rules. I'm just asking to find out whether what I have is special and worth taking care of, or better to pass to someone else. If I do decide to sell it, you'd have to find it on EBay with everyone else.

Mods: can anyone confirm if this thread is Kosher?

You might want to keep it just because it's a family axe [...] They are extremely popular right now and fetch a price at auction beyond what I value them at. I sell the ones I find but I would more than likely keep one that had been in the family.

Thanks for the response Square_peg! :thumbup: but my family actually only got this property about about 6 years ago. With the market strong on this brand is it worthwhile to sell with no family ties? Or should I keep it still? I guess what I mean is, not being an aficionado who cares about the brand or the axe's history, as wore out as it is, is it worthwhile to sell or just keep as a user? If I keep it, it will get thumped, guaranteed. Seems fitting since all it really cost me was a few hours and an $11 haft... But if for the money it goes for I could get a modern axe that will perform better and have change left over, I would prefer that.

Also:

Is that differential hardening pretty standard? For the era? For today?

How does this perform compared to modern, hardware/outdoor store axes?

Was an acid wash a good idea?

Is 20 degrees per side good or would most aficionados prefer/recommend a convex?

Thanks again!!!

 

[300Six]

Your call. If you need money more than you need an axe than consider moving it along. Myself would rather swing an oldie with genuine stamps than scratch the paint of a current offering from India or China. "Modern axe" is a moot point; peak of evolution and quality was 60-70 years ago when physical demand was still in place. Even then Trade axe patterns like Hudson Bay were offerings for hobbyists and occasional users.

 

[Square_peg]

Also:

Is that differential hardening pretty standard? For the era? For today?

How does this perform compared to modern, hardware/outdoor store axes?

Was an acid wash a good idea?

Is 20 degrees per side good or would most aficionados prefer/recommend a convex?

Thanks again!!!

It's standard.

A Norlund compares well with modern Euro-import bushcraft axes like Gransfors Bruk and Wetterlings make. Because of it's small size it's similarly best suited for light duty/bushcraft work. That's where their popularity lies.

Acid wash is fine. Lots of guys are doing it with vinegar.

For my own use I would sharpen it to a slimmer convex edge. But if you're selling it you should probably leave the grind to the new owner.

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

IMO the money you get will come and go and unless you're in a bind right now, you'll never notice the difference in your life that whatever you get for the axe, will have made for you. Will this be cash for books, rent or entertainment? If I were you, I'd keep it. What does poor college student mean anyway? Are you working? If you are then try and get an extra shift.

 

[D-R0CK]

Will this be cash for books, rent or entertainment? If I were you, I'd keep it. What does poor college student mean anyway? Are you working? If you are then try and get an extra shift.

Lol, 50+ hours a week! White male. Paying for everything this next year (with some student loans etc). Because of obamacare, the number of shifts I can get is pretty limited. Not politics, just a fact. The money will probably go towards helping fly my girlfriend here to visit from Missouri. She's working MORE than I am!!!

 

[300Six]

"The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys". Maybe you'll get $50 for this (or heaven forbid $150) and then what have you got? Cash for a night out at a restaurant and bar trying to impress a "lady" and that episode will eat those coins up pretty fast and leave you with nothing but a heady dream and a headache next morning. This axe head wasn't made yesterday and you don't have a lot of money invested either.
I hide in the woods for a week every fall in a wood-fired log cabin with no power or water or phone (deer hunting) with an 1896 Krag cavalry carbine, carbon steel Russell belt knife, Coleman lantern, Findlay frypan and a Walters axe only because it really makes me feel like I've been truly transported back in time.
I'm 60+ years old and have had an honest taste of the old days for real and can't even imagine what or how you youngsters feel today.

 

[Bridger]

Why not flip it for a less collectible, vintage head or a new one from Council? You're not likely to make a big dent in a plane ticket anyway and then you can have an heirloom axe to pass on to your kids.

I hear yah on the limited hours due to Obamacare. I get 25 hours a week instead of 39 as a part-time worker. The upside is I have lots of free time to actually get out and use my axes every day.

 

[D-R0CK]

Why not flip it for a less collectible, vintage head or a new one from Council? You're not likely to make a big dent in a plane ticket anyway and then you can have an heirloom axe to pass on to your kids.

I hear yah on the limited hours due to Obamacare. I get 25 hours a week instead of 39 as a part-time worker. The upside is I have lots of free time to actually get out and use my axes every day.

I think you're right. I'll probably hang onto it.

"The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys". Maybe you'll get $50 for this (or heaven forbid $150) and then what have you got? Cash for a night out at a restaurant and bar trying to impress a "lady" and that episode will eat those coins up pretty fast and leave you with nothing but a heady dream and a headache next morning. This axe head wasn't made yesterday and you don't have a lot of money invested either.
I hide in the woods for a week every fall in a wood-fired log cabin with no power or water or phone (deer hunting) with an 1896 Krag cavalry carbine, carbon steel Russell belt knife, Coleman lantern, Findlay frypan and a Walters axe only because it really makes me feel like I've been truly transported back in time.
I'm 60+ years old and have had an honest taste of the old days for real and can't even imagine what or how you youngsters feel today.

I resent this comment for a number of reasons. This lady (who you felt the need to put into quotations?) works 15 of those 50 hours a week volunteering at a hospital. She is incredible and none of that money would be spent bar-hopping. She's a verifiable saint, and neither of us enjoy those things. Furthermore, you assume a lot about me just because I have no sentimentality for antique axes. I've been hunting since I was big enough to carry a rifle, and have taken deer, elk, coyote, duck, quail, goose, rabbit, squirrel, and turkey in some places no other white man has probably ever been, some with a rifle, some with a bow. I fish constantly, and I still retain a connection to the wilderness as a part of the heritage of my family. Last year I spent probably around 20 nights out, 5 were on an island in the mighty columbia, and I got to it by canoe. You assume that because of my age I must be hedonistic and naive, and I don't think either are true.

 

[300Six]

I resent this comment for a number of reasons. This lady (who you felt the need to put into quotations?) works 15 of those 50 hours a week volunteering at a hospital. She is incredible and none of that money would be spent bar-hopping. She's a verifiable saint, and neither of us enjoy those things. Furthermore, you assume a lot about me just because I have no sentimentality for antique axes. I've been hunting since I was big enough to carry a rifle, and have taken deer, elk, coyote, duck, quail, goose, rabbit, squirrel, and turkey in some places no other white man has probably ever been, some with a rifle, some with a bow. I fish constantly, and I still retain a connection to the wilderness as a part of the heritage of my family. Last year I spent probably around 20 nights out, 5 were on an island in the mighty columbia, and I got to it by canoe. You assume that because of my age I must be hedonistic and naive, and I don't think either are true.

No need to get defensive. My jibes are largely generic (old guys become more and more cynical) and if they offend you you're welcome to slander me in the same vein.

 

[Square_peg]

Hey, you kids! Stay off of my grass!!!

 

[D-R0CK]

Hey, you kids! Stay off of my grass!!!

thanks for keeping it light Square_peg!

For anyone who's interested in how the re-hafting turned out:

 

[300Six]

thanks for keeping it light Square_peg!
For anyone who's interested in how the re-hafting turned out:

Looks to be you know what you're doing and you did a nice job of it. Now that you've invested time and effort put 'er to work! I do have to admit that HB's are cute looking.