My Dad's Pow'r Kraft Axe

[dcmartin]

So, now that I'm doing more and more work to my house, I'm coming across some cool tools that belonged to my pops. I had a couple of good sized stumps I had to remove and his old Axe made short work of them.

I'd love to clean it up just a bit, I'm a fan of the patina. Unfortunately the handle was in terrible shape so I'm on the hunt for a new one. Any recommendations? I found some nice hickory ones at Sears. Thoughts?

 

[300Six]

Your dad obviously appreciated 'durable tools'. The aftermath of his going 'to town' regularly with one of these on roots and rocks would have impressed me. Anyway, now that you've got one of his on hand and become busy 'cosmetic shining it up' entirely for resale all I can say is "good luck to you". These never were meant to look pretty and it's only the ones that never got used that command the bucks.

 

[jblyttle]

Your dad obviously appreciated 'durable tools'. The aftermath of his going 'to town' regularly with one of these on roots and rocks would have impressed me. Anyway, now that you've got one of his on hand and become busy 'cosmetic shining it up' entirely for resale all I can say is "good luck to you". These never were meant to look pretty and it's only the ones that never got used that command the bucks.

I have noticed for quite a while, to the point that it is an inside joke with myself, that it is almost impossible for you to post a comment without crapping on something. Even when you compliment, you can't quite manage to do it without insulting somebody or something. You probably don't even realize how passive aggressive/negative you are. Please read his whole comment again, then read yours and tell me if it is warranted or even addresses a single thing that he says. Astounding.

 

[RixAxe]

I have noticed for quite a while, to the point that it is an inside joke with myself, that it is almost impossible for you to post a comment without crapping on something. Even when you compliment, you can't quite manage to do it without insulting somebody or something. You probably don't even realize how passive aggressive/negative you are. Please read his whole comment again, then read yours and tell me if it is warranted or even addresses a single thing that he says. Astounding.

And some people are too easily offended by an honest opinion.

My thoughts while reading the OP and looking at the pics was, leave it alone. Fix the handle, don't replace it if possible. The guys pops used it and made it look as it does from working with it. I would want it as it was. BUT, that's just my opinion and don't expect anyone else to agree with me.

I have an old Fox double 12 gauge shotgun that was my dads. It has some marks in the wood, some small dents in the barrels and a large spot on it where the bluing is gone because his bird dog vomited on it in the Jeep going hunting. I will never restore that gun, I love it just the way he left it.

 

[markv]

i thought the handle looked pretty dandy.
can you show an image of the "terrible shape" handle

buzz

 

[Remzy]

hahah Rix, now thats some great backstory on that shotgun!

 

[jblyttle]

And some people are too easily offended by an honest opinion.

Telling him that he is "obviously" just cleaning up his dad's tool to sell based on what the guy actually wrote (nothing of the sort) is an honest opinion? If that is so, then I apologize for my comment.

 

[dcmartin]

Your dad obviously appreciated 'durable tools'. The aftermath of his going 'to town' regularly with one of these on roots and rocks would have impressed me. Anyway, now that you've got one of his on hand and become busy 'cosmetic shining it up' entirely for resale all I can say is "good luck to you". These never were meant to look pretty and it's only the ones that never got used that command the bucks.

Oh no no no, I would NEVER resell this axe, it has way to much sentimental value but you are absolutely correct about it being durable. As far as the cosmetic shining it up, that's strictly my decision. Pops hated rust and would never have allowed it to stay in it's current state. I hit it with a scotch brite pad on the flats, the edges i hit with a drum and some 80 grit. It had some nasty niks but never you worry, it'll patina nicely.

 

[dcmartin]

And some people are too easily offended by an honest opinion.

My thoughts while reading the OP and looking at the pics was, leave it alone. Fix the handle, don't replace it if possible. The guys pops used it and made it look as it does from working with it. I would want it as it was. BUT, that's just my opinion and don't expect anyone else to agree with me.

I have an old Fox double 12 gauge shotgun that was my dads. It has some marks in the wood, some small dents in the barrels and a large spot on it where the bluing is gone because his bird dog vomited on it in the Jeep going hunting. I will never restore that gun, I love it just the way he left it.

Hahaha, great story about the 12Ga, I'm cleaning the axe up just a bit because i can undoubtedly state that if my father were alive, he would have done the exact same thing He liked all of his tools to be clean and functional, rust / patina wouldn't be a part of that equation. I will be buying a proper sheath for it and storing it properly so the rust will be kept to a minimum. In six months from now there won't be much shine to it

 

[dcmartin]

i thpught the handle looked pretty dandy.
can you show an image of the "terrible shape" hamdle

buzz

Here you go, if there is some way to save this, please chime in.... I won't be trashing the handle, I can probably cosmetically save it but I doubt it will be functional.

 

[jblyttle]

Nice haft, done it's duty, time to retire it.

 

[Agent_H]

Nothing wrong with Powr-Kraft.

This wasn't my Dad's...



They seem well-made. This one has 4 ridges equally spaced on either side of the eye.

I don't know much about it other than they were a house brand of Montgomery Wards. The actual maker? Don't know.

What markings did you find on it?

 

[RixAxe]

Hahaha, great story about the 12Ga, I'm cleaning the axe up just a bit because i can undoubtedly state that if my father were alive, he would have done the exact same thing He liked all of his tools to be clean and functional, rust / patina wouldn't be a part of that equation. I will be buying a proper sheath for it and storing it properly so the rust will be kept to a minimum. In six months from now there won't be much shine to it

I see now that the haft is in need of replacement. I have saved some that looked bad but that one doesn't look good.

Actually I would have done the very same thing as you now that I see the whole story.

 

[SC T100]

Your dad obviously appreciated 'durable tools'. The aftermath of his going 'to town' regularly with one of these on roots and rocks would have impressed me. Anyway, now that you've got one of his on hand and become busy 'cosmetic shining it up' entirely for resale all I can say is "good luck to you". These never were meant to look pretty and it's only the ones that never got used that command the bucks.

I have noticed for quite a while, to the point that it is an inside joke with myself, that it is almost impossible for you to post a comment without crapping on something. Even when you compliment, you can't quite manage to do it without insulting somebody or something. You probably don't even realize how passive aggressive/negative you are. Please read his whole comment again, then read yours and tell me if it is warranted or even addresses a single thing that he says. Astounding.

I'm with jb all the way on this...I didn't get this impression at all, and was pretty confused by the assertion the refurb is to sell dad's tools and make a huge profit. It sounds like someone bought Tom Smykowski's Jump to Conclusions Mat.

dcmartin, it looks like you've done a great job of bringing it back up to family standards! I'd replace the handle myself...it's missing a lot of wood and is splitting. A new handle and a sheath and it'll back to 100% and appears to be a great working axe with family history.

As for handles, make sure the new one doesn't have any grain runout, and be prepared to thin it to fit the head and your preferred feel (i.e. thinner, thicker, etc). If you order from House Handle, you can spec out a hand-picked handle (better chance of the great haft), with no lacquer (less sanding to get it back off), and if you like your handles thin, you can have then sand it to an octagonal handle (you cna then either keep the ridges or sand it back to oval for an old-school, really thin handle).

Whatever you do, make sure you post more pics of the refurb!

 

[300Six]

My apologies. I did jump to a wrong conclusion in thinking it was merely going to be sold. Good on you for cleaning up your dad's axe and preparing it for another generation's use.

 

[Sparky415]

DC
If you don’t have any other plans for the handle, how about fixing some hooks to it and screwing it to your workshop wall for coat’s or tools?
It’s good that you are reusing you dad’s old tools :thumbup:

 

[Hacked]

Man I love my Powr Kraft, this is my first axe the one that started it all. I'm near positive that Wards used Kelly to produce there line of axes. This one will be getting pulled off its handle soon so I can do a proper job of sliming it down. I debated for a while and the axe is by far deserving of it.

I'm sure I will get rotting fruit thrown at me but the majority of my heads get tossed in the vinegar bath. I tend to pick up the less pretty variety that others look over and many have years of rust dirt and grime caked on them, not what I would consider worth saving anyway. A lot of collectors don't like this as the original patina gets stripped away leaving a forced one in its place. I do agree though that i hate seeing an axe that someone has attempted to make "shinny" for the sole purpose of selling. If you put the axe to work though it will develop a new patina very quickly. A bit of advice however, don't store the axe in a sheath that will promote rust. Instead if it won't be used for a period of time simply wipe it down with some oil to protect it the patina will help as well.

 

[dcmartin]

Nice haft, done it's duty, time to retire it.

My thoughts exactly

Nothing wrong with Powr-Kraft.

This wasn't my Dad's.. They seem well-made. This one has 4 ridges equally spaced on either side of the eye.

I don't know much about it other than they were a house brand of Montgomery Wards. The actual maker? Don't know.

What markings did you find on it?

Beautiful! My axe had no markings on it but it does have the 4 ridges inside

I see now that the haft is in need of replacement. I have saved some that looked bad but that one doesn't look good.

Actually I would have done the very same thing as you now that I see the whole story.

Thanks!

dcmartin, it looks like you've done a great job of bringing it back up to family standards! I'd replace the handle myself...it's missing a lot of wood and is splitting. A new handle and a sheath and it'll back to 100% and appears to be a great working axe with family history.

As for handles, make sure the new one doesn't have any grain runout, and be prepared to thin it to fit the head and your preferred feel (i.e. thinner, thicker, etc). If you order from House Handle, you can spec out a hand-picked handle (better chance of the great haft), with no lacquer (less sanding to get it back off), and if you like your handles thin, you can have then sand it to an octagonal handle (you cna then either keep the ridges or sand it back to oval for an old-school, really thin handle).

Whatever you do, make sure you post more pics of the refurb!

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated, oh I plan on posting some pix once it's done. This will be my first handle replacement

My apologies. I did jump to a wrong conclusion in thinking it was merely going to be sold. Good on you for cleaning up your dad's axe and preparing it for another generation's use.

Thank you 300six, I really like and appreciate good vintage tools! My dad taught me to bite the bullet, pony up the dough and buy something that's gonna last a lifetime... He was absolutely right

DC
If you don’t have any other plans for the handle, how about fixing some hooks to it and screwing it to your workshop wall for coat’s or tools?
It’s good that you are reusing you dad’s old tools :thumbup:

Sparky415, I'm thinking of doing just that... I love the look and wear / tear from over 50 yrs!

Man I love my Powr Kraft, this is my first axe the one that started it all. I'm near positive that Wards used Kelly to produce there line of axes. This one will be getting pulled off its handle soon so I can do a proper job of sliming it down. I debated for a while and the axe is by far deserving of it.
I'm sure I will get rotting fruit thrown at me but the majority of my heads get tossed in the vinegar bath. If you put the axe to work though it will develop a new patina very quickly. A bit of advice however, don't store the axe in a sheath that will promote rust. Instead if it won't be used for a period of time simply wipe it down with some oil to protect it the patina will help as well.

Hacked, Great info... I'm gonna hit the swap meet soon, I've seen unused axe hafts with lots age patina on them for cheap... Sometimes they are there sometimes they are not but I'll the dice and if not, I'll snag a hickory one.

 

[Agent_H]

This picture was the background on my laptop for several months. It's one of those "wish I was there" photos.

 

[Hacked]

This picture was the background on my laptop for several months. It's one of those "wish I was there" photos.

Thanks, it was a great trip the axe was used quite a bit as all cooking was done over the fire. A friend took the picture, he's an excellent photographer. It's still the lock screen on my PC.