Maintenance in the field?

D

d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
1,944
Okay, just wondering what you guys do at home or in the field, to clean off your axe after a good workout. You know, the tree sap, and general tree debris that seems to get caked on the edge(an the face after the occasional slip or glancing off). After every use, there is a lot of brown scuff marks that look like they should wipe off easily, but get stuck on there.
thanks
Dave
 
I use steel wool, and at home, a wire wheel if its really bad. Same for the handle if theres any marks (steel wool, no wheel), I'll sand and refinish in the fall anyways.
 
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I leave it on, and then give a thorough cleaning every so often. If u use the axe often there is no need to clean after every time out.
 
I never worry about dirt in the field.. When get home, I just wipe off as much dirt as I can, then spray WD40 or similar, let it sit for a few minutes then wipe whatever else comes off. Right before my axes or machetes get put away I put a thick coating of either WD40 etc.. or linseed oil and put them away slightly wet.. I get all the wood and metal nice and wet. This has worked great for years

If my axe and machete get too stained up and I have nothing better to do one day, I might take them to the wire wheel but I usually dont care about the brown stains.. Gives character,and says your tools get used!
 
Dirt, pitch, light rust, etc. means nothing in the field. The only field maintenance an axe needs is ding repair if you do something careless (it happens). A Lansky puck or Norton round stone is all the field maintenance you should ever need. A diamond card would do fine, too, and they weigh a lot less than a stone.
 
Works pretty well in the shop.

http://www.garrettwade.com/product.asp?pn=06K02.01
06K0201.jpg
 
i dont clean mine to much. i think the rust develop much faster when the axe is totaly clean:p
i just do rub it in with some vaseline or wd 40 when i feel for it :D
 
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