So I unearthed some old axe heads

3fifty7

3fifty7

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and a few wedges. This past spring when we were planting our rice crop we found a few axe heads and wedges. We normally find one sometimes two pieces a year, usually not completely intact though. This usually happens in fields where we have recently graded or done other dirt work. The history of the land is that some was originally cleared in the 1900's-1910's and additional sections were cleared in the 1960's and 1970's.
Any chance the larger one could be sharpened and hung or perhaps a new cutting edge be forged into it ? Pretty sure the smaller one is a wall hanger at best.
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I chipped the scale off of the wedge then hit them all with a wire wheel on a bench grinder and oiled them.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed.


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thats a good find BUT, needs profile grinding, maybe a heat treat, the one with the ears looks like a virginia or a georgia long, the other looks almost like a connecticut but if you treat them right they'll be good for you. the eared one is probably from the earlier history of the property and the georgia is maybe 40's or 50's im not sure. If you're willing to do a LOT of grinding and a heat treat. the eared axe is salvagable, i'd do it because im desperate but you do what you'd like
 
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There's no reason not to hang them and use them if you ask me. It's going to take some time with a file, but they're still metal and they'll still hold and edge and cut as long as they haven't been through a fire. Cool finds!
 
I'll try to put up a few more pics looking at the eye and cheeks, they are both considerably worn with the smaller head being worse. I'll take a few measurements and try to get a weight on them as well.


Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.
 
Trying to clean these up, any more than you already have, will negate any value they might have as museum artifacts! On the other hand, without recognizable stamps or period-unique profiles these aren't worth a heck of a lot anyway.

If you want to try to resurrect one of these into an axe that you can use you're better off (time and effort wise) seeking out a clean head off flea bay or elsewhere. If by chance the heads (plus what looks to be a splitting wedge) are survivors of a fire the temper hardness will be lost anyway.

Interesting find, by the way, and thanks for sharing.
 
Weights and measurements
Smaller weighs in at 3lb14oz and measures 3.5"H at the poll, 4"H at the bit and 7.5" in length.
The larger weighs in at 5lb4oz and measures 3.5"H at the poll, 5"H at the bit and just over 8" in length.
It's just one of those things I have in my head I'd like to hang them and recondition the heads enough to fell a tree on the property.
Any suggestions on handles?


Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.
 
At times I think I see the steel bits on these. A lot will depend if the forge welded bits were inserted or overplayed.
I suspect the one with ears was discarded because of that bad break and the other one may have been misplaced.

I think one of them might be quite usable. No body will have one anything like yours.:)
 
Much larger and heavier than I would have expected. They're surely old - turn of the century from your story. I recommend Tennessean Hickory Products handles. Buy at your local saw shop or from Beaver Tooth or other online retailer. They're fat and need slimming but they're the finest white hickory.
 
Wow...bigger and heavier than I thought, too. I would assume the bigger one has plenty of hard bit left, but you could always confirm via either file or vinegar/Evapo-Rust soak to see where the hardened steel lines are. You'll lose that fantastic patina though. As big and heavy as they are, it would think the smaller one still has hard steel as well. I'm curious what you find out.
 
Can you elaborate on the vinegar/Evaporate-Rust soak ?


Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.
 
I have made an electrolysis tank with a battery charger before with good results, thinking about doing it again. Unless there is a preferred way.


Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.
 
It's just a vinegar soak. I use cheap white vinegar and reuse until it gets really nasty, couple days soak usually does a good job. Either method works just fine and some may see an advantage over one method or the other. I don't have a dog in the fight though both methods work just fine.:thumbup:
 
3fifty7 said:
Can you elaborate on the vinegar/Evaporate-Rust soak ?


Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.
Click to expand...

Sure! After soaking, the rust is eaten away, and at the same time the hardened steel gets a coating that is almost black black, while the rest of the head remains a dull grey when soaked in either. It will show how much hardened still remains. A lot of people don't like it though as it destroys any patina, but in some cases it's needed (IMO).
 
Well here is what showed up after a couple of soaks and scrubs.
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I might have to put an edge on them and head down to the hardware store to look for a couple of sticks !


Sent via telegraph with the same fingers I use to sip whiskey.
 
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