Nabbed A Norlund Hudson Bay! Updated x15 imgs

C

cattledog

Joined
Oct 7, 2011
Messages
319
Hello again;
It's been a good axe month for me. However this will be the last one for awhile unless I want to eat ramen all summer long.:)

I have always wanted a genuine Norlund Hudson Bay for the longest time. Finally found a nice one at a buy it now and nabbed it.
1.75 lb model
Already have a perfect boys ax handle to put on it and I will do that today and update the post.

Guy in the canoe love that label but I'm going to use this one is there any way to preserve it?

p826887214-4.jpg

Edge looks hardly used
p889795397-4.jpg

Looks like original paint bronze Thinking about painting it that color

p879981431-4.jpg

Metal wedge Original? Poll looks unused
p698648426-4.jpg

See the USM stamp no idea what that is.
p576669528-4.jpg

Compared to the council this one has flat or slightly concave cheeks
p631631729-4.jpg


Ok so I will finish this bad boy up today and post some shots next to Councils Velvicut.
Thanks for looking
C&C always welcome.
 
Last edited:
That is sweet, CG! Nice score. Can't wait to see it hung!

USM: United States Marines?????????????????
 
Read somewhere that you can float stickers off with Vaseline. Spread it on and wait overnight then use a single edged razor to remove. Put the sticker on brown paper to let the Vaseline leach out. May take a while. Haven't tried this myself so good luck.
 
M3mphis said:
That is sweet, CG! Nice score. Can't wait to see it hung!

USM: United States Marines?????????????????
Click to expand...

That would be awesome but I think it's missing the C for Corps

OutdoorEnvy said:
That's awesome. I've been wanting one that size too. Can't wait to see it when you're done.
Click to expand...
thanks

PhotonSD said:
Read somewhere that you can float stickers off with Vaseline. Spread it on and wait overnight then use a single edged razor to remove. Put the sticker on brown paper to let the Vaseline leach out. May take a while. Haven't tried this myself so good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks I am gonna try that

HandAxeProMan said:
Nice axe. I love the Hudson Bay.
Click to expand...
Thanks Something about an HB
 
Update
Well here are a few more photos from the hafting job.
Notice the ridge about an 1/8 inch at top never saw that before. Metal wedge was a bitch to get out.
p824071214-4.jpg


measure twice cut once, should have left myself more top top room almost screwed up a good handle
p243209813-4.jpg

Just showing off my saw:) no sawing the kerf deeper
p127664727-4.jpg

had to custom fit the handle with a rasp and it took awhile
p521639394-4.jpg

First time I glued everything, used polyeurethane glue as suggested by other members here. We shall see how it lasts under impact
p414511531-4.jpg

happy with that
p724525501-4.jpg

stained it with some leftover water based fence stain I had in the shed oh know its a blonde:)
p793632663-4.jpg

standard grain alignment shot
p590029636-4.jpg

looks fairly straight
p897539424-4.jpg


Takes 24hours for the glue to cure. I have started working on the edge. Put a good utility edge on there and want to use it a little then fine tune it. It's around 30 degree bevel Got tired of filing it so used a belt sander with coarse belt but it started to heat up so I stopped. Metal seems hard for what thats worth.
After putting a handle on this in person I see what you mean about very little contact with wood in the eye area, amazing the head stays on at all.
Conclusion
You know when you pick up an ax and it feels just right at first. That is what this one feels like. I think it will make a good summer time trekker albeit a little long handled but good around camp and trail.
To me there is something very special about a used vintage ax by the camp fire they are good company.
Well I really enjoyed handling this one Don't know about you all but it is something special about refinishing one of these. Sort of forget about daily drudgery for a little bit.
Oh and I know I promised comparison photos but I am going to wait until I escape my humble abode and do it in the woods.
thanks
cattledog
 
Great hang. I really enjoyed the photos. Your alignment looks perfect and the grain is certainly nothing to quibble over.

I've never seen that ridge before but I think I know what it's there for. When you wedge your haft it would tend to bite into that ridge. The handle should stay on better because of that. Good addition to an HB. I wonder if raising a burr with a cold chisel would do the same thing......
hmmmmm.gif
 
cattledog said:
First time I glued everything, used polyeurethane glue as suggested by other members here. We shall see how it lasts under impact
p414511531-4.jpg
Click to expand...

I like how the glue oozes out everywhere when you wedge it. It let's you know there are no voids in the eye. And construction adhesive doesn't become brittle and crack like epoxy does.
 
I had a Hudson Bay that looked just like yours since you have finished it. It was a superb camping and hunting axe. Unfortunately, someone decided they needed it worse than I did at a camp site several years ago. I would love to find one in the condition you did. Great job of hanging.

Howard
 
Dang you, cattledog. This thread has given me a bad hankerin' for an HB. That thing is beautiful. The only HB I have is a tiny hatchet, about 1 lb head.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top