Need restoration help for a Kelly Registered Axe

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Desertfox3088

Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
22
Went to an amish auction this weekend and scored all the axes I have been looking for. Im still pretty new to axes and have restored a few but I took a risk on this kelly and it might be more than my garage is set up to do. So here is the situation, I picked up this kelly registered axe complete for $11.60. Deal right? Well the poll side is rolled from being used as a hammer but not too crazy, the top of the eye where the wedge is driven in is mis shaped however the bottom is side is not. There is a crack starting half way down the side without the logo on it and it doesnt seem that bad. So my question is who/where would I go to get this axe restored right? Secondly what style and length handle did this axe come with? What was this style axe used for? I used the search function to find what I could about these and I definitely want to make my best effort at saving it. I sent an email to thrane axe and saw company, really because thats what came up on the google machine. Check out the pictures and let me know what you think. Im trying to figure out the photos too so let me know if it doesnt work. Thanks
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147636973@N08/shares/3BWpxn
 
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The Amish :)
 
welding is gonna be a necessary risk here, but can't wait to see how that turns out. as far as getting professionally restored, i think machine shops might do it but most of us do it ourselves. it would've had curved handle. as to your last question, that's definetly a felling axe
 
You can fix the pole with a file. The crack... work a groove with a triangle file everywhere you can and get someone to weld it. Then clean it up with a file. You can't fix the flared out part of the eye, it's proper fucked. Maybe it could be filled in with weld and reprofiled with a file.

I would hang it as is with a 32 inch handle and put it on the wall. Us the money saved on repairing it to buy another head in serviceable condition.
 
It was used as a wedge. It's banged up pretty bad. Thankfully the side with the stamp isn't too bad. You need a blacksmith to fix that eye and weld the crack. I've brought back axes that were worse.
 
The True Temper stamp has cracks through it. That part will never look right again.

Such a shame. That was a great axe before it got used as a wedge.
 
Thats a neat axe.
Fixing it decently will need crack welding and heat & press the eye to shape. Perhaps its poll pressed back also.
Assuming no HT is needed, quickie fix-up job would take about 1-1.5 hr.
 
Straightening this one out might damage the emboss and the stamps. As Square_Peg suggests do what you can via seeking out a competent welder for the crack and maybe you can entice a blacksmith to deal with the eye and the twist in the head. There's plenty of life left in the blade (which is good news) but maybe you're better off displaying this one rather than trying to 'get 'er back on the road'. Luckily your investment is minimal so far, especially when you see what clean Black Ravens have been going for recently.
 
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