Recovery and restoration of heirloom axe

A

A Visitor

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Jan 19, 2009
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Long story short.....I tracked down a axe I lent out thirty two years ago. The Single bit Plumb3^2 belonged to my grand uncle and was allmost new when lent. I've since removed the handle on it and a Swedish military surplus with homemade drifts for restoring. Both heads were slightly loose- no damage done removing.
I'm going to put the Plumb back in the condition I remember when growing up. Maroon handle and polished bit. I'll post pics when done.
ry%3D400

ry%3D400

ry%3D400
 
Looking forward to seeing that finished up. Good job tracking it down! Nice drifts, BTW!!!
 
Nice axes, I'd be interested in hear the whole long story. 30 Years, and they're finally back! Those drifts are great too! (You know it's a forum full of axe geeks when you start getting compliments on your drifts :))
 
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Nice looking axe, with perhaps a better story. Drift/swedges are nice too - wish I had a couple.

Memphis says he is "workin" but he is really scouring the earth looking for Mustads.......
 
A Visitor said:
Long story short.....I tracked down a axe I lent out thirty two years ago. The Single bit Plumb3^2 belonged to my grand uncle and was allmost new when lent. I've since removed the handle on it and a Swedish military surplus with homemade drifts for restoring. Both heads were slightly loose- no damage done removing.
I'm going to put the Plumb back in the condition I remember when growing up. Maroon handle and polished bit. I'll post pics when done.
ry%3D400

ry%3D400

ry%3D400
Click to expand...
:D
i can really dig those drifts, i have a set made from railroad track cut in cross section .
one is for double bits

all good

buzz
 
i have not figured out how to post photos.
if you can imagine a 3/8's inch thick piece of railroad track cut in cross section. just like you'd slice a piece of salami.
the ball end or what the train's wheel rolls on is the part which is just about the right length as the eye of a double bit axe. i dress the ends of the ball down to the shape of the thin ends of the axe eye. a long thin oval shape.
hope this helps
i live in a railroad town, pieces of track are sliced out or off the end of rails so the rails can be welded back together cleanly
these rail ends/cut offs make excellent hardies and other forging tools

buzz
 
i live in a railroad town, pieces of track are sliced out or off the end of rails so the rails can be welded back together cleanly
Click to expand...
I got ya- I've seen those cut offs where tracks have been replaced. Good use of someone elses labor/ scrap- I don't think I would cut a track down for just a drift.
Here are the axes , still have to sharpen them up and apply some BLO/ Bees wax to the handles. I parkerized both heads first- didn't like the way they looked . Ended up sanding and will finish off with a scotch brite pad for a satin finish. Have to get some clothes for the Plumb- should be able to give them both some work this weekend. They are a couple of firsts- the first axe I ever owned and the first axe I ever bought.
Thanks for looking
ry%3D400

ry%3D400
 
On request- at the top l>R is a restored aircrew rescue tool / china made copy of a marbles double bit hatchet. On ground is a Mckinnon "rockaway" loose fit on handle in progress/ restored Small Mann fire axe a neighbor found excavating a building site in Newark NJ / restored Verona 3 .5 lbs single - salvaged / restored unknown "Jersey" and "Rockaway" - salvaged / in the front is a current Collins boys axe, a gift with a handle I want to burn everytime I see it lol. There is also a old shovel on the wall that fed the coal furnace in my Grandparents house , I thought if deserved a nice spot even though it is still the "go to" shovel in certain types of snow storms.
ry%3D400
 
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