Norlund tomahawk axe restoration

[Sam Kimball]

I recently purchased an old norlund tomahawk axe from an antique shop and am looking to restore it so i can use it as a medium sized camp axe it needs a new handle and the head needs to be sharpened and cleaned up but unfortunatly i dont know where to start and what else i should do to make it a nice axe to use out in the woods please help?

 

[Square_peg]

Clean it up with a wire wheel on an angle grinder (wear a dust mask and safety glasses) or soak it over night in vinegar. I think the wire wheel gives a better look. Then fit it to a nice boy's axe handle but don't set the wedge yet. You can usually find nice boy's axe handles made by Link in your local Ace Hardware store. Then before final assemble file and hone the edge to your desired shape and sharpness. It helps to clamp it in a vise for filing.

Alternately you can hang it before sharpening and then clamp the haft down to your bench for filing and honing. It's a personal preference thing.

Read this:

An Axe to Grind

And watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz3rs-eaN3E

 

[I.N.F.K]

Clean it up with a wire wheel on an angle grinder (wear a dust mask and safety glasses) or soak it over night in vinegar. I think the wire wheel gives a better look. Then fit it to a nice boy's axe handle but don't set the wedge yet. You can usually find nice boy's axe handles made by Link in your local Ace Hardware store. Then before final assemble file and hone the edge to your desired shape and sharpness. It helps to clamp it in a vise for filing.

Alternately you can hang it before sharpening and then clamp the haft down to your bench for filing and honing. It's a personal preference thing.

Read this:

An Axe to Grind

And watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz3rs-eaN3E

That PDF is very helpful, I've been trying to figure out what pattern axe the one I bought at an antique store is.

 

[Sam Kimball]

Thanks for the advice i will post some pics when she is all done