Need Help Someone Butcher my Fathers Axe Head

W

winchester73

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Jan 6, 2008
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I took my axe to a fellow who sharpens my lawn mower blades. He said he could sharped the axe which belonged to my deceased father. He proceeded to use a powered hand grinder. When he finished it was very hot. He didn't cool with water and I'm afraid he took the temper out. Is there any way to restore the temper? He also left ridges on both sides and I got these out with a file and round sharpening puck which of course does not solve the problem of the temper. He had worked on my lawn equipment for years and I though he knew better. Since it was my fathers I will keep it either way but is it now just a wall decoration or can it be fixed.
 
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What kind of ax is it? Out on the fire lines, the sawyers that I talked to would not turn in the axes at the end of the shift as the SOP for sharpening up the tools coming off of the fire line was a hand held grinder.
 
Bo T It is a Collins brand; underneath that as best I can read is Legutuamus and USA. It is single sided with a 4.5 cutting edge.What do you think-probably took temper out? What happens if it did just won't hold an edge.
 
Looked at an auction that had ended and it was described as Vintage Collins Legitimus Old Timer axe. Looks just like my dads only his ae has a like new handle that does appear to be original to the axe.
 
Rather than second guess about the blade temper being ruined please take it out for a good workout. If it was sharp when you started and immediately dulls or the edge rolls then yes the temper is gone. If not you've still got an axe. There are varying degrees of hot (to the touch, white/red/blue etc) and maybe the fellow knew exactly where this was, and what he could get away with, while grinding.
 
300
I saw the sparks fly and when he handed it to me it was hot but I never saw it change color. The hand grinder was a small one. I should have told him to stop but didn't know it was hot till he handed it to me.
 
Sometimes only about 1/16 inch along the edge will get tempered - maybe an eighth. You can file that off and start over.
 
In order to exceed the original temper it would have had to have reached temperatures in excess of 300-400 degrees. Sparks will fly using power tools as this is what happens when small bits of metal are removed rapidly from hardened steel. Same concept with a flint and steel set, the sparks are the bits of steel being sheared off of the steel. Grinders are bad for axes generally because they remove too much material too quickly. You end up with a sloppy wavy edge and rounded heals and toes. Take your time with some files and a stone or sandpaper and put a good edge on it, chances are its just fine.
 
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My guess is that if you file and hone a fresh edge you will have removed any steel that became brittle from the heat. I doubt a small grinder at a sharpening shop was used in a way that destroyed a significant part of the the bit's temper. If these guys regularly sharpen blades I doubt they did any serious damage and maybe none at all. Either way an edge from a grinder needs filed and honed smooth for good performance. The grinder just establishes the rough profile--the file and hone will make it work ready.
 
If you could hold the axe the temper was not harmed. An axe laying in the sun in August will become so hot it can't be held.
 
Thanks to all again. Is a Collins axe as above pretty old. It was like knew but I think didn't bought it from someone second hand.
 
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