Questions on Best Way to Hang this Type of Head?

[John Frankl]

So I have a no name Connecticut that has the "Kelly" (I know some other manufacturers used them as well) type ridges inside the eye. Just wondering the best way to hang something like this.

Do I work the haft down till it goes in kind of easy, then use the wedge to establish contact with the ridges?

Or do I bang the head on so that the ridges cut into the haft as it gets seated?

Or is there a third option?

Some photos below of the head, before and after, since this will likely morph into a WIP thread. I am playing with various finishes. For this unmarked axe, there wasn't anything really to save, so I went with sandblasting followed by a good coat of oil. Looks interesting. You can see the hardening line due to the different rates of abrasion.

Before

After

 

[Operator1975]

First, thats a nice looking axe head.

Second, I have had a few go arounds with hafting those - so......I am going to let others go first here - Coop and Memphis come to mind, among others.

It is a different ball game with the ridges no doubt, so you have at least recoginzed that.

 

[John Frankl]

Thanks. I'm even ready to file them down

 

[M3mphis]

I don't mind the ridges so much. I still try to get the bottom side of the eye fully sealed up with the haft. As you put the head on and off trying your fitment, the ridges will dig themselves in. At the top of the eye it shouldn't be very tight anyway until you drive in a wedge. I don't carve the ridges into the haft at all, I just let it happen. I drive my wedges firmly enough that at the top the hickory get smushed all the way so there are no gaps.

Does that help at all????

 

[M3mphis]

I just hung a no name boy's axe the other day with ridges. I'll try to go snap a couple pics tonight.

 

[John Frankl]

Thank you.

 

[nickzdon]

I don't mind the ridges so much. I still try to get the bottom side of the eye fully sealed up with the haft. As you put the head on and off trying your fitment, the ridges will dig themselves in. At the top of the eye it shouldn't be very tight anyway until you drive in a wedge. I don't carve the ridges into the haft at all, I just let it happen. I drive my wedges firmly enough that at the top the hickory get smushed all the way so there are no gaps.

I second this. I hang 'em like any other head.

 

[Square_peg]

I cheat and relieve the ridge lines in the handle a little as I'm fitting it to the axe. It makes all the on-offs go a little smoother. Just make sure you leave enough wood so that the ridge still has to dig in a little.

 

[daizee]

That is a beautiful head. Nice cleanup job.

 

[Frank-New Zealand]

I just ignore the ridges and hang like any other head. So long as you taper the haft end a little to achieve easy 'lead-in', the ridges will just cut their way in.

That's a nice looking axe head. My favorite pattern. I have some KELLYs that look like that. What is the weight? I am interested to know what length haft you will be using.

regards...Frank

 

[bearhunter]

I second this. I hang 'em like any other head.

Yeah, just hang them like any other head. The ridges simply form on the haft as you go along.

 

[John Frankl]

Thanks all for the advice.

It is not stamped, but it is certainly a good axe. The profile and geometry are as nice as any of the stamped Connecticut patterns I have. I think it probably is a Kelly.

The weight was 3 lbs. 9 oz before I cleaned it up. Was likely built as a standard 3.5 lb axe. I would guess I took it down to about 3 lbs. 6 oz. or so.

I am still debating on the handle length. I would love to hear all of your thoughts!

 

[bearhunter]

I'd go with a 32" handle.