Let's Try Again

[digitalurbancamo]

It would seem my other thread regarding this topic has been removed. I have no idea why that would happen but I'll just start it over I suppose. Although this time it will have updates.

Ok, so a few years ago my girlfriend bought me an old rusted hatchet from a garage sale. It was in really bad shape and the handle was cracked but for a dolor I ended up using it and liking it. I probably only liked it and kept it around because of the sentimental attachment to it. It looked cool I guess but back then I wasn't at all into axe or hatchets and had no idea what I had.

Fast forward a few years, I start to develop an appreciation for old quality tools from the past. After searching around on BF I found this subforum and stated to delve. I posted a thread asking about the hatchet I had and found out (after a little bit of elbow grease) that I had a hand forged German hatchet head from days past. Unfortunately I can't remember from what year the members here said it probably was from and the thread is gone. Anyways this is what the head looked like after I spend some time cleaning up the dirt and rust and removing the epoxied handle.









As you can see from the pictures above there was a LOT of pitting. It took me a while to scrap together enough money to buy a belt sander, but I did and today I worked on the head a bit more. He are some picutues of the work I have done so far. I cleared up most of the pitting and removed all the chips from the old edge. Cleaned up the back (dunno what it's called but I call it the spine) of the head. I also started some light work on the edge. Here is what it looks like as of 7-26-2014













Unfortunately the maker marks on the blade had to be removed. I am ok with it though. Anyways, I put in an order for a new American Made Hickory handle. I will give more updates as I go provided this thread doesn't get deleted again. I don't want to re-post all these pictures and write this all out again lol.

Let me know what you guys think and any information, tips, feedback would be appreciated. After all, I have never done this before.

UPDATE:

 

[300Six]

As a future 'user' you've smoothed and cleaned this up pretty darn good. Looking at how crudely finished the original was makes me figure it was made right after WWII. The much more recent German and Austrian axes I have are wonderfully smooth-finished. Presuming the defeated Jerries to still have had access to good steel you might want to engrave or electric pencil 'made in Germany' back on it when she's all done, just to remind yourself the head did not come from Mexico.

 

[digitalurbancamo]

As a future 'user' you've smoothed and cleaned this up pretty darn good. Looking at how crudely finished the original was makes me figure it was made right after WWII. The much more recent German and Austrian axes I have are wonderfully smooth-finished. Presuming the defeated Jerries to still have had access to good steel you might want to engrave or electric pencil 'made in Germany' back on it when she's all done, just to remind yourself the head did not come from Mexico.

Why do you make the assumption that it's post WWII? Is that because after the war Germany had less supplies or...? Regardless, thanks for the info.

 

[DarthTaco123]

You hit the nail on the head. Right after the war supplies wet wicked low from the war effort, so quality was...meh.

 

[300Six]

Why do you make the assumption that it's post WWII? Is that because after the war Germany had less supplies or...? Regardless, thanks for the info.

The Allies and Soviets packed off any and all usable machinery and valuable materials. No doubt you've heard or read about the Yankee engineering triumph of stocking essential foods and medical supplies via the Berlin Airlift of 1947. Most businesses had to start all over again from scratch and material supply was nearly zero. Top it off a generation or two of skilled workers had largely gone missing or were pre-occupied with other things such as trying to get out of the Soviet-held zone. Put all that together and you can figure that a 'Germany-made' implement from the late 40s was often crude.

 

[digitalurbancamo]

The Allies and Soviets packed off any and all usable machinery and valuable materials. No doubt you've heard or read about the Yankee engineering triumph of stocking essential foods and medical supplies via the Berlin Airlift of 1947. Most businesses had to start all over again from scratch and material supply was nearly zero. Top it off a generation or two of skilled workers had largely gone missing or were pre-occupied with other things such as trying to get out of the Soviet-held zone. Put all that together and you can figure that a 'Germany-made' implement from the late 40s was often crude.

Yea I guess that makes since. Thanks for the history lesson old chap.

 

[grafton]

For me, the crudeness of the original look added greatly to the charm and appeal of that head. If the edge is cleaned up there is nothing about the crudeness of the rest of the head that would impede function. You can bet that if the function were impeded, the Germans would have been unable to leave it that way. The loss of those markings is too big of a price to pay for a cleaned up head. Many years from now someone is going to wonder the story behind that axe and now a bunch of the pages have been ripped out. Now it looks like any axe you can buy today at the hardware store, what made it unique is gone. However, it is your axe and you can certainly do as you see fit. Enjoy it.

 

[A Visitor]

For me, the crudeness of the original look added greatly to the charm and appeal of that head.

I agree, if the steel was worth it I think I would have left the head alone and put all the work into the edge and handle. As far as history of the hatchet- epoxy set handle dates it. And the stampings would indicate that it was produced for the export market. If you watch the recorded speech by the owner of GB / Wetterlings , he describes similar products being produced in Sweden until he took over in. Rough forgings with epoxy set handles, painted head and handles. Now they leave the forge finish, enhance the pedigree and branding through the stampings and they cant keep up with demand.

 

[300Six]

For me, the crudeness of the original look added greatly to the charm and appeal of that head. If the edge is cleaned up there is nothing about the crudeness of the rest of the head that would impede function. You can bet that if the function were impeded, the Germans would have been unable to leave it that way. The loss of those markings is too big of a price to pay for a cleaned up head. Many years from now someone is going to wonder the story behind that axe and now a bunch of the pages have been ripped out. Now it looks like any axe you can buy today at the hardware store, what made it unique is gone. However, it is your axe and you can certainly do as you see fit. Enjoy it.

For all the folks on here that gloat about their $5 flea market and garage sale Black Raven-type prizes I don't think there should be any fear of depreciating an unstamped axe head. What you say about appearance vs function is absolutely true and Jerry (especially during the late 40s) was acutely aware of that. Germans have always done the best they can under the circumstances. The crude finish and English stamp and Imperial weight (Drop forge Germany 1 1/2 lb) certainly captured my interest and what's left now is just another generic axe head of unknown provenance that only interests me as a 'user'.

 

[300Six]

Yea I guess that makes since. Thanks for the history lesson old chap.

Cheerio I say, old stick!
Jerry civilians outside of Berlin didn't get any help or sympathy from the rest of the world at the end of the war.I would like to think the featured axe head is a quality material product (albeit poorly finished) but 1944-50 were not good years for Deutschland manufacturing reputation.

 

[digitalurbancamo]

For all the folks on here that gloat about their $5 flea market and garage sale Black Raven-type prizes I don't think there should be any fear of depreciating an unstamped axe head. What you say about appearance vs function is absolutely true and Jerry (especially during the late 40s) was acutely aware of that. Germans have always done the best they can under the circumstances. The crude finish and English stamp and Imperial weight (Drop forge Germany 1 1/2 lb) certainly captured my interest and what's left now is just another generic axe head of unknown provenance that only interests me as a 'user'.

I am not keeping it as a collection piece. I intend on using this hatch often. This is my first axe project and I kinda wanted to just take something that was old and of good quality and bring it back to life. Seems like the majority of people here hate the fact that I cleaned it up as much as I did and removed the markings. :/

 

[SC T100]

They may have done something different, but I certainly don't think anyone hates it. You know what it is and where it came from, and it's yours to use how you see fit! I'm just looking for a few pics of the finished product! Have at it I say, and do your thing with it to make it how you like and then get out and use it (pics of that too!).

 

[A Visitor]

Seems like the majority of people here hate the fact that I cleaned it up as much as I did and removed the markings. :/

That may be a little overstating it. I understand the desire for function and taking advantage of higher quality steel. I welded a True Temper Flint Edge with a cracked eye, lost the entire stamping in the process. Then hung it on a fiberglass handle for use as a loaner/ trainer/ community axe. Not what I would have preferred but useful.
I think the responses were honest and actual as to what the responders would have done if it were theirs. As stated before it is your hatchet, do what you want with it and enjoy.
I also think the age of your hatchet is younger than is being discussed. I don't believe Germany was doing much exporting to English speaking countries shortly after WW2. The epoxied on handle also seems to date it newer than that.
Please post more pictures when you get it finished.

 

[300Six]

I am not keeping it as a collection piece. I intend on using this hatch often. This is my first axe project and I kinda wanted to just take something that was old and of good quality and bring it back to life. Seems like the majority of people here hate the fact that I cleaned it up as much as I did and removed the markings. :/

Not at all. There are many more quality axe heads out there than there are users or collectors. And the latest generation even insists on buying expensive new in the mistaken belief that axe technology of old was somehow inferior.
I reshape wood chisels every now and again and go out of my way to start with beat up (and garage sale cheap) implements that say "Sheffield" or "Solingen" on them. May be heresy to some but never bothered me any; most of these old 'top drawer steel' tools wind up in garbage cans and landfills anyway. The only reason you received what appear to be negative comments here is that collectors, purists and hoarders can't bear to alter even the faintest stamps or markings thinking that someday that will exponentially increase the resale value of the tool.
That your old girl is actually getting attention and enthusiasm and destined to go 'back on the road' is in fact a good thing.

 

[SC T100]

^Yeah, agreed.

 

[grafton]

I certainly do not hate it, as stated it is just not what I would have done. Different strokes for different folks, to each their own. I am not a hoarder, collector or purist and I do not care about future value either. I find the original condition of the axe more aesthetically pleasing and interesting, that is all there is to it. The rough look of the finish along with the stamping ads interest. It has a history, a story, a snapshot in time, I don't want to say soul but for lack of a better word, a soul. A completely ground down, plain, smooth, shiny axe head bores me. Cleaning it up any more than smoothing up a little of the bit, shaping the edge and sharpening does nothing to improve the function of the tool. I understand some people see a lumpy, uneven, pock marked axe head and see total chaos, I see beauty.

I often see threads where similar treatments are labeled as restorations. I do not consider the complete removal of a finish and markings to be a restoration. It is a conversion. The axe never looked that way even when it was new. I guess if that is what it means to be a purist, I am ok with that. The OP mentions that he has developed an appreciation for old quality tools of the past. I have the same interest but among the things that interest me were the very things removed from the hatchet. Making an old quality tool of the past look like a brand new one is the part I do not get. But, having said that, we are only on this planet for a little while so do what makes you happy. No one should loose any sleep over it. Convert, restore, use, collect, hoard, buy, sell, whatever....we all like axes!

 

[bbforstr]

@digitalurbancamo.

Nice job on the axe head. I have heads that go from ugly to shiny polish. The important thing is that you rescued a high quality tool from being burried in the dirt. Some of my favorite axes were very rough when I got them. I tend to use them more because I enjoyed fixing them up.

I usually concentrate on the edge because that is the working part of the axe. It saves me time to work on the collector pieces, (if there is any such thing). I tend to want to use most of the axes I refinish.

Thanks for showing us your work.

 

[Square_peg]

The Allies and Soviets packed off any and all usable machinery and valuable materials.

The biggest prize of all was the German's 55,000 ton forging press. The Soviets captured that. Building our own super presses became a part of the cold war arms race.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Press_Program

 

[300Six]

The biggest prize of all was the German's 55,000 ton forging press. The Soviets captured that. Building our own super presses became a part of the cold war arms race.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Press_Program

My dad (a Professional Engineer) endured the Nazi occupation of Holland and loathed that entire regime but he grudgingly always did admire Jerry for their ingenuity and engineering. I cannot imagine what would have happened had they been able to mass produce jet aircraft, and explode the first nuclear bomb.

 

[digitalurbancamo]

UPDATE:
Well my new handle just came in from Beaver-Tooth Handle Co. Just got done handling the head and applying 3 coats of boiled linseed oil. Also cleaned up the edge some more and I am just about to clean up the rest of the head. What do you guys think so far. I am getting excited!

(Pics in OP)

Edit: In the process now of applying a vary light forced patina to help with any rusting issues. It's coming along nicley. Will post the finished product soon.