Restoring an old family axe

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pdangerp

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Oct 31, 2012
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This axe has been at my mom's house for as long as I have been alive (29 years). I believe it belonged to either my father before he died, or grandfather, because I have never known my mom to purchase a tool. It's been sitting in the yard near the wood pile for about 20 years. I remember trying to split wood with it when I was young and didn't know anything. It's never been sharpened in my lifetime.

After reading this site and getting into sharpening knives, I decided to rescue this piece of family history. Well, here it is, a Kelly Works, Tru Temper, Flint Edge double bit axe. It's got markings in addition to all of those of a "32". I believe this to be a 3.2 lb or 3 lb 2 oz head.

Here's the original condition:
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I soaked it in white vinegar after getting the rotten handle out of the head. It's been in the vinegar for 1 day so far, and I took it out briefly to see the progress on removing the rust. Here's a couple of pictures of the progress so far. The markings seem to be in good shape.
971F90CE-D388-4A1B-9961-3AB192FB4571-786-0000006163576F50_zpsdd9dff5b.jpg

26A4AC54-AEAB-43DF-A5B3-3AC6F5DE318D-786-000000616B7BA3D0_zpsebbd43fa.jpg

7FB7D700-27A1-4671-B920-7A6D2EA90D7F-786-0000006172461B85_zps4a15c60c.jpg


I went to the hardware stores around me, but the selection of new handles was severely lacking. The eye is 3"x11/16". I ordered a replacement from house handles.

Overall, I think the axe will sharpen up without too much trouble. I'll just be happy to have saved this relic from the woodpile.
 
Nice, older axe. I am happy that you pulled this one from a 'certain death' in the trash pile. These old tools had some top shelf steel in them...no sense to waste such a nice chopper! I believe what you have here is a three and a half pounder that still has a bunch of life left in it. Great restoration project.
 
Looking good so far. Post pics after hafting. 3 small 2 means 3 pounds 2 quarter pounds or 3 1/2 pounds.
 
Nice looking project, the vinegar seems to be working well. Looking forward to seeing it hafted
 
Good on you for saving an old family axe. You got yourself a very nice 3.5 pound double bit there. Looking forward to seeing it sharpened and hung.
 
Great work so for on your family heirloom. She's a Kelly Flint Edge, swamper pattern. She's a very nice axe. It should serve you well for generations with a little care.

Tom
 
That is a real beauty!
I can't believe that it is still in such fine shape after sitting out for 20 years.

Nice work :)
 
So a quick update/question. After a good cleaning, I noticed markings of USNPS on the axe done by hand. I think that my grandfather who was a ranger/employee at Yosemite may have gotten this from work. I hate to think he stole it, but perhaps he bought it used or they issued axes to individuals back then.

I also sharpened both edges. It was my first axe sharpening, but it seems to have come out okay. I put it back in the vinegar to patina/preserve the newly exposed steel. Pics probably tomorrow.
 
I doubt that he stole it. There's lots of old USFS axes floating around. They get sold at government auctions and such. I bet that's the case with your NPS axe too.
Or as you mentioned, they may have just issued it to him.
 
I am guessing it was issued to him, very cool you are going to be using an axe your grandfather probably valued a great deal!
 
I got the handle in from house handles and am slowly sanding it to fit. I have a couple questions. How sharp should the axe be? Once I file, sand, etc to the edge to sharpen it, how do I keep it from rusting again? At the moment, I put a "decent" edge on both blades and then put it back in the vinegar to make the patina uniform again. When I'm hanging this axe, should I oil the handle prior to installing it in the axe head? Won't that make it swell and make me need to sand it down even more to make it fit?

Sorry for the noob questions.
 
I'm glad that you have gotten your handles :)
It's going on 5 weeks for myself... For 4 4 fu...ng handles.
I'll be lucky to get them within 6 weeks!
I've been nice about it, but this is bull... S$&t :mad:

I don't give a damn how busy they claim to be... It's ... 4 handles... :(

If ya can't fill the orders... Don't take them!
 
I ordered a premium 36" double bit handle that had been sanded. Maybe they just had that in stock. No advice on my questions though?
 
pdangerp said:
I ordered a premium 36" double bit handle that had been sanded. Maybe they just had that in stock. No advice on my questions though?
Click to expand...

Sorry about that ;)
I like to keep my 'users' shaving sharp.
As far as the BLO goes, you can put it on before or after you hang the axe.
Your going to need to put on a few coats anyway.
I have a BLO soaker, so all my handles are soaked for a week or so before they are hung and they work out fine.
To keep it from rusting, just keep it dry.
You can also rub a little oil on it. BLO works fine for that too.
 
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