Need help identifying an axe with a broad arrow

Au_Craftsman · Nov 10, 2019

Australian military Hytest axe? https://imgur.com/gallery/u4xfigZ

Today I purchased a axe head online, and from the photos the only mark on the side is a broad arrow. This means it's likely military issued and since I am in Australia that makes me believe it would be a hytest. I'm sure I have seen something about hytest supplying the axes for our defence force but have been unable to find it so if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. When it arrives I will try remove the rust and see if a brand will be visible but I'm not very hopeful that it will work.

Fmont · Nov 10, 2019

Can't make out the arrow, but it's a heavily worn Tasmanian, obviously. Could be Hytest. Maybe Brades, maybe Gilpin. Will be interested to see more pics!

Au_Craftsman · Nov 10, 2019

Oh

Fmont said:
Can't make out the arrow, but it's a heavily worn Tasmanian, obviously. Could be Hytest. Maybe Brades, maybe Gilpin. Will be interested to see more pics!

Oh yeah true you are right I did not even realize it was a tassie pattern, lets hope a makers mark shows up after removing the rust

Fmont · Nov 10, 2019

It'll be interesting to see what it looks like with better photos. I can't decide whether the lighting is making it look more worn than it really is.

Square_peg · Nov 10, 2019

Fmont said:
....but it's a heavily worn Tasmanian

Worn to the point where there may be little or no hardened bit left.

Au_Craftsman · Nov 10, 2019

Fmont said:
It'll be interesting to see what it looks like with better photos. I can't decide whether the lighting is making it look more worn than it really is.

I'm definately not too experienced with this so maybe not the best person to say but I'm pretty sure it looks atleast somewhat more worn than it is. Will have to see when it arrives I guess

Au_Craftsman · Nov 10, 2019

Square_peg said:
Worn to the point where there may be little or no hardened bit left.

If it is this worn would heat treating it again be possible? I have some experience HT / Tempering knives but have never tried with an axe

Agent_H · Nov 10, 2019

Au_Craftsman said:
If it is this worn would heat treating it again be possible? I have some experience HT / Tempering knives but have never tried with an axe

Square_peg · Nov 11, 2019

Au_Craftsman said:
If it is this worn would heat treating it again be possible? I have some experience HT / Tempering knives but have never tried with an axe

It depends on the construction of the axe. Many were made with a high carbon steel bit welded to a low carbon or mild steel eye and poll. Cleaning it up and acid etching it might tell you more about it's construction and tell if there's any hardenable steel left. Personally, I don't think it's worth bothering with.