Putting together my ideal bushcraft/pack Axe! (Pics a plenty)

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OutdoorEnvy

Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
308
So after using quite a few different axes in the pack axe size range, including GB and Wett. I still didn't have what I really wanted out of a bushcraft axe. So it was time to make it. I have long coveted a Plumb Cedar Axe in the 1.75lb range with the 4" cutting edge. I finally scored one at a good price

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head came off really easy

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I started filing on the bit. Mostly to get the secondary bevel removed to have a continuous convex edge on it.

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for the head finish I want to leave a little bit of the patina on the head. So I used some wet sand paper to lightly remove the rust on the outside.

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Handle I picked was an 18" from HH. Handle was perfect but needed lots of thinning in the shoulder. Total length after hanging is 18.25". So the handle must have been a little long.

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Here is the crooked eye I mentioned in the earlier thread. Top of the eye is aligned straight

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bottom eye is not centered as you can see

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For fitting and thinning the handle I used a rasp and sandpaper. Now to get this head aligned straight you have to shape the bottom of the eye and remove more wood on the side with more metal, as you want the wood to pull it back to center. But since the top eye is straight you don't want to make it uneven so no adjustment needed up top. This eye had the head tilting to the left from the bottom when looking down at the edge. Well after some time and careful fitting here it's just about where I want it.

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I'm wanting to leave most of the handle length so rather than bringing the head to the shoulder I'm going to thin the shoulder after I know where I want the head set. That looks good to go

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after this it got too dark and my pics didn't turn out. But I got it hung straight and solid and took it out for a test run, so here's the result

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this was one of those hickory pieces that had the stripes running down. Love those, I was thinking about staining it but I just can't do it to this piece

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it was curling pretty good

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I chopped and carved around a little just getting a feel for it

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carved a quick tent peg

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Well after using it some I realized the handle needed some better shaping to it. So I thinned the handle down a little and put a much nicer shape to the end of the handle with a steeper transition in the end of the handle. I also added a little wood stain to highlight the grain lines and give it some quick character appeal. It feels much better and will say I am very please with the end result.

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Thanks for looking
 
Looks perfect, and I'm impressed with the hang on with a difficult eye! I haven't seen figured (at the that's the term used for maple and other woods on guitars) hickory anywhere I have seen handles...I wish I could find a few though as they are really nice looking. It really turned out great.

Quick question...what did you use for stain? And will it interfere with adding linseed oil or another type of finish in the future (or will it even need further treatment)?
 
SC T100 said:
Looks perfect, and I'm impressed with the hang on with a difficult eye! I haven't seen figured (at the that's the term used for maple and other woods on guitars) hickory anywhere I have seen handles...I wish I could find a few though as they are really nice looking. It really turned out great.

Quick question...what did you use for stain? And will it interfere with adding linseed oil or another type of finish in the future (or will it even need further treatment)?
Click to expand...

Thanks SC! Appreciate it. I just used some walnut furniture stain. I applied BLO to the handle first, then the stain, then more oil. It can soak up oil even after you stain it. It doesn't seal the outside or anything.
 
OutdoorEnvy...I don't usually have much time for small axes, but yours is a real beauty. I have seen plenty of Plumb but never that pattern.
Great restore job and especially removing that dangerous bevel.

regards...Frank
 
Thanks guys, glad you like it. It's a dandy of a little axe. Not sure if this is a big hatchet or small halfaxe but I like it!

paracordist said:
Impressive bit of handy work. Did u use a sander at all or all rasp?
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Appreciate that paracordist. All rasp. I like using handtools when I'm making handtools :)
 
Frank-New Zealand said:
OutdoorEnvy...I don't usually have much time for small axes, but yours is a real beauty. I have seen plenty of Plumb but never that pattern.
Great restore job and especially removing that dangerous bevel.

regards...Frank
Click to expand...

Thank you Frank. This pattern is very overlooked in my opinion. It's a great performer and packs a bigger punch than it's size suggests.
 
Thx for this thread, great photos and plenty of them. Better how-to than most magazine articles!

I have just spent time filing the edge of a cheap 1.6kg axehead (chinese - $14) and started learning more so your thread was helpful.

The bevel that you went for is it more of a V profile or a U profile? From what I see at the hardware stores, most mass made axes come with a U profile. What are the pros and cons of bevels?


So far in my new axe hobby I have only one 'keeper' item, a new handle (long and round in the hand), made by a one man business in the ranges of nth NSW, that I'm saving for a classic old 4lb head. I seen quite a few heads for sale with bigger defects that others have rejected. I suppose I'm procrastinating/stalling while I learn as much as I can; I don't want the stuff John West rejects if you know what I mean.
 
Thanks, Learning on a cheapy is always good. I like the old axes rather than the new expensive ones. They're good but you can get one just as good or better for 1/10th the cost restoring an old one.

Anyways, I'm not the axe expert or anything but you want a convex on your edge profile. New hardware store axes don't come with a finished edge. That's why they're thick and blunt. You need to set them how you like. I set mine in the middle so they're good for both splitting and chopping. Hatchets I usually set steeper to be better slicers but anything I will do real work with gets an allround convex. It's something that takes some getting used to. Just use it and if it's not biting as deep when chopping then thin it down a little more. You can always take more off, you can't put steel back on.
 
There may be quite a few of these around in the States. But I have never seen one here in NZ. I do have a nice Plumb Victory of about the same size but totally different pattern. I like everything about your little axe. Especially the extended heel, the chamfered edges and plenty of heft above the eye. I would imagine she would 'take no prisoners' in the rough...but also good for more delicate work.

the5farrs Plumb is in really good condition also. Any idea how old these may be. Great to see old tools that have been used for what they were designed for and have not had the living daylights beaten out of them.

I said in a previous post I am not that keen on small axes...This thread has changed my mind. Something that can be carried easily but with enough heft to get the job done.

Well done sir. regards...Frank
 
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