Need advice on axe TLC.

M

mithril

Joined
Nov 7, 2001
Messages
133
A few days ago I scored a great bargain. A friend of a friend had purchased a Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet a couple years ago. He recently decided to get rid it. I got it for a song (and believe me I can't sing). Anyway, the hatchet was not maintained as well as it could have been. Some spots(read pinhead dots) of rust exist on the bevel/edge area and a little further back. What is the best way to get rid of this surface rust and maintain the polished surface? Secondly, will "Miracle Cloth" adequately protect the metal from any new rust, or is there something better?

Thanks in advance for the help,
Mith.
 
mithril,
If you plan to use it, the spots will probably be removed with a good sharpening. If it's still sharp, give it a good workout chopping some brush or firewood. That'll remove any surface rust. Then just clean up the sap and junk with your washcloth and dishwashing liquid.
To prevent rust, be sure it is clean and dry before storing it, and don't store it in the leather sheath, if it came to you with one. I give mine a little rubbing with beeswax before putting it up, but just about any wax will work. Some folks really like carnuba.
Hope that helps.

Todd
 
The steel will rust readily when wet, I have used mine outside in the rain, and if you are there for any length of time the axe will start to rust. Thus if it is a user, you don't get concerned about such things. Take a abrasive pad and wipe off any soft orange rust and leave the black oxide along. As Todd noted, it just comes off with sharpening. Keep the blade dry and clean with a light coat of oil when not in use.

-Cliff
 
I always rub the blade with wax.

a candle will do the job this helps when cutting and rub some petroleum like vasaline on it if it is stored for any time works for me
 
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