Puget Sound Pattern Double Bit, heavily corroded and pitted

[pullrich]

I picked up this felling axe a couple years ago. Found at an estate sale for a gentleman from Norway who had been a shipbuilder and carpenter. The sellers let me rummage through his shop and I found this axe head buried under rubbish in the back. This was the same sale where I pulled a cabinet away from a wall and behind it found 4-5 axes tucked into a corner. Also got a couple of his scandinavian work knives. Anyway, in spite of the heavy corrosion and pitting I decided to hang the axe head. I love the brown patina, was very difficult to file the browning when I worked ion the edges. I used a 30" haft from an online retailer, maybe should have gone with a longer one. I thinned the handle to about 20mm. When I tapped in the wedge a circular chunk of wood dropped out of the kerf...wierd. In the last pic you can see it next to the Norlund double bit nessmuk / saddle axe I just hung. Let me know what you think.

 

[shanny19]

Anyway, in spite of the heavy corrosion and pitting I decided to hang the axe head.

I think it's beautiful.
I've been searching for a 1945 Sager for a special project, and you've inspired me to lower my standards. That's a good thing!

 

[triggahappy]

really love the look of those really long double bits, never used one, but they sure look like great users

 

[Square_peg]

Anyway, in spite of the heavy corrosion and pitting I decided to hang the axe head. I love the brown patina, was very difficult to file the browning when I worked ion the edges.

It's beautiful despite the pitting. That oxidations layer is tough to file through but once you get through in one spot you can work out from there and let the file lift the layer from below. I think you're right about putting a longer haft on it.

Here's another thread about PS falling axes. Even some video.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/989464-New-Puget-Sound-patterns

 

[pullrich]

Thanks people. And thanks for the link square peg. I guess I should have paid more attention when buying the haft...would have gone for 36" plus.

 

[nickzdon]

I honestly love my heavily pitted axes. The only downside is that the makers marks are usually corroded away. But I love the look and the contrast between the pitting and the shiny freshly sharpened steel.