new here with new project

[i.like.race.cars]

First post, total noobie. Im not sure what sparked my interest in axes but ive always been into doing things on my own. Ive made a few knives, gave them all away. Figured id try this. This is my first axe im going to be making a handle for and hanging. Im going to do all the work without the aid of power tools. I anticipate it being a lot of fun. Here is my start, a large piece of hickory and a template. I will be using a Kelly woodslayer or a Collins legitimus jersey. I plan to polish the head and hopefully sort out a way to do a black handle. Can I stain the handle and used boilded linseed?

Anyway, im excited to get under way with the project.

Thanks,

Johnathan

 

[Square_peg]

Just so you, the Legitmus is a much better axe than the woodslasher. Maybe practice with a haft for the woodslasher then make a second haft for the Legitimus.

 

[i.like.race.cars]

I will do that, thank you for the advice. Just better steel? Properly tempered? How do they compare to modern heads?

thanks,

Johnathan

 

[Hickory n steel]

First post, total noobie. Im not sure what sparked my interest in axes but ive always been into doing things on my own. Ive made a few knives, gave them all away. Figured id try this. This is my first axe im going to be making a handle for and hanging. Im going to do all the work without the aid of power tools. I anticipate it being a lot of fun. Here is my start, a large piece of hickory and a template. I will be using a Kelly woodslayer or a Collins legitimus jersey. I plan to polish the head and hopefully sort out a way to do a black handle. Can I stain the handle and used boilded linseed?

Anyway, im excited to get under way with the project.

Thanks,

Johnathan

I would not polish the head, it took years for the patina to develop and is something you can't get on a brand new axe. It's also the history of the axe and easily distinguishes it as a vintage axe.
Just use a wire cup in an angle grinder to remove any rust.
BTW you can put blo over wood stain, but it will probably take you many many coats to completely make the handle black.

 

[i.like.race.cars]

Hickory, I've considered the patina. Definitely speaks of its character. The more I've thought about the friend I'm giving it to the more I think I'd leave it.

Thanks for the info on the BLO.

As things come together I'll update this thread.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Hickory, I've considered the patina. Definitely speaks of its character. The more I've thought about the friend I'm giving it to the more I think I'd leave it.

Thanks for the info on the BLO.

As things come together I'll update this thread.

Looking forward to it 👍