Looking for some constructive feedback

Curt Hal

Curt Hal

Joined
Jul 8, 2014
Messages
558
I am new to the game. I recently restored a Plumb Boy Scout Hatchet and would appreciate some constructive feedback from some of the axe masters out there.
I put the head in vinegar for 2 days, then cleaned it up. I filed the butt mushrooms and sanded. I re-shaped the bit with a single cut bastard and sharpened it. I finished the bit with sandpaper and WD 40 (up to 600 grit. I re-hafted it with the Boy Scout handle using a wooden wedge. The head was left in linseed oil for two days to swell the wedge and the helve. The haft was lightly sanded to preserve the lettering and the label (wasn't sure it was worth saving, but I left it there) and then had 2 coats of bees wax applied to it. I left the head pitted because I like the character it gives.
 
Looks like a good restoration to me, I'd have hung the head lower on the haft, but that's just me. Be warned, you may become an axoholic.
 
Good restoration. That's about all you can do with it. The only thing I might change is switching from a radial grind to a half banana grind. I think you'd get better penetration.
 
I think that it looks great. I especially like the work that you did blending and smoothing the poll. Can you tell us what your method was there? Fine belt sander?
 
I love it - "butt mushrooms" I think we should adopt that into our axe terminology
 
jblyttle:

I used files. First a double cut, then a single cut bastard. From there, sandpaper by hand: 80 - 120 - 220 - 400 - 600. I am trying to be one of those "no power tools" geeks, although there are times when the belt sander looks good.
 
The hang looks great, and that is a sweet old handle. I personally like to take the mushrooming down further so the side of the axe flows smooth all the way to the edge with no evidence of the abuse. That's just personal preference though, nice work.
 
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