Kelly registered double bit

joshhawk70 · Mar 8, 2016

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I think I may have found a pretty rare piece. Wondering if anyone had any information on this. I can seem to find another Kelly registered double bit. There is no date like the older single bit ones and the number is gone too. Thanks for the help

Guitarist7.62 · Mar 9, 2016

Looks like someone took to it with a grinder. Cool stamp, nice head

Hickory n steel · Mar 9, 2016

Someone definitely took a grinder to it, I'd take an angle grinder with a flap wheel and carefully smooth out the bit.

joshhawk70 · Mar 9, 2016

Ha I was starting to think no one was gonna respond back to me on this post. Thanks guys. I have a 80 grit flap I plan on putting on it this weekend

SC T100 · Mar 10, 2016

That's a very nice double...great fine. You can also use a good file or stone to smooth out those bevels and get it sharp again. There's no chance of bluing the thin cutting edge like there is with the flap wheel and virtually no chance you'll remove too much material accidentally, though it does take more time and effort.

Guitarist7.62 · Mar 10, 2016

Take it slow, leave it low.

Hickory n steel · Mar 10, 2016

Guitarist7.62 said:
Take it slow, leave it low.

Exactly :thumbup:

300Six · Mar 10, 2016

What on earth would possess someone (probably a long time ago) to cold chisel-deface the actual serial number unless it was 'hot' somewhere along the way and the nervous thief figured there was a central axe registry somewhere.

joshhawk70 · Mar 11, 2016

Thanks fellas! Maybe one of y'all can tell me if toe to toe is supposed to be shorter than heel to heel. Cant tell if that is just the way the pattern is or if it's that jacked up?

Square_peg · Mar 11, 2016

Toe to toe should be longer than heel to heel. People stick the toes in the dirt and abuse them and grind them. That's why we always find short toes. It's a sign of a well worn axe. If you want it to be a user you should re-shape the edge so that the heel is shorter and the bit isn't too round. Then it takes a major thinning of the bit to get the axe back into working condition. But it's probably worth doing. With a 'Registered' you know you have the very highest quality steel and tempering - far surpassing modern Euro-imports. Just be careful not over heat the bit while working it.