To Restore, or Preserve

N

nickzdon

Joined
Mar 3, 2011
Messages
398
Been awhile since I've been able to drop in on the forum. But I've been having an interesting discussion with a few folks about whether to preserve or restore military axes. It all started when I bought 25 military surplus axes off the 'bay for use in a restoration workshop later this fall. They've all been painted, the helves are dried out, and most of the heads are loose. But, they're all Councils, Woodings Veronas, or True Tempers, and made in the USA. The bits are on the thick side, but they haven't seen much use. They're all from the old Pioneer Kits that hung off the back of transport trucks and the like. Note: I only bought the axes, not the whole kit.

Pioneer_Kit.jpg


In short I got a little flack for my plans to restore these axes rather than leaving them in their original military condition. Honestly, I think that if they were worth anything on the collector circuit I wouldn't have been able to buy them 25 at a time. I understand the desire for collectors to preserve tools in their original condition, but I'd rather see these tools restored and used as an opportunity to teach others about axes. But, I'm still a little torn. Granted these aren't mint condition Black Ravens, but I think it's still an interesting question. Maybe these axes would be valuable collectors items and useful historical artifacts in 50 years. But then again maybe not. What do you guys think about the restoration of military tools?
 
Depends on the age to me. You've got 25....maybe pull out the 10 most "collectible" and turn the rest into choppers?

BTW, nice to hear from you, Nick!!!!
 
Go ahead and restore them. If they were worth something they would be worth something now.
Shoot, lots of tools out there rusting in the beds of trucks and the owners don't know what they have.
Lots of barns full of antique tools gradually turning to dust.

I say restore them and put them to good use.
 
Thanks for the input guys, I figured we'd probably fall on the 'restore' side of the discussion.
 
At one time there were probably a couple hundred thousand of those - so thats why you dont see the collection side to those pieces. Plus the quality wasnt there, more no non sense work pieces, which are some of my favorites.

How are you going to restore them is the question - totally take them down to wood and metal head, or re paint them drab green, etc? I think that will tell the tale of whether you should or not.
 
My vote would be to restore them and put 'em to work. The value is based upon the basic principle of supply and demand. They were produced by the train load and there are plenty available on the open market to anyone that wants to collect military tools.
 
I don't see any loss in restoring axes like those. Preserving is for the old Black Ravens and such.
 
I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that all these different companies painted their axes the same color OD before sending them out of the factory. The chances of that are pretty slim. If the military painted all the axes they purchased to suit their needs, then the paint could not be considered 'original'. Therefore, restore away!

Does that make sense to anyone else?
 
schmittie said:
I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that all these different companies painted their axes the same color OD before sending them out of the factory. The chances of that are pretty slim. If the military painted all the axes they purchased to suit their needs, then the paint could not be considered 'original'. Therefore, restore away!

Does that make sense to anyone else?
Click to expand...

I'd say they were most like painted at the factory per government spec. Normally, the agency in question would issue a "request for proposal" which specifies in detail what and how many of the item in question they want to buy. Sellers submit proposals, and the agency awards contracts. Then the manufacturers put together the lot which is inspected by a rep of the agency (ie department of defense).
 
Paint color varies too. Some of the W-Vs are coyote and some are OD, the Kellys are a darker green, almost black. I'll get some pics together. My plan is to only take them 'half way' for the workshop. That is, I'll be removing the handles, and giving them a quick vinegar soak, and letting the workshop attendees re-hang them and decide if they want to sand off any remaining paint.
 
M3mphis said:
I'd say they were most like painted at the factory per government spec. Normally, the agency in question would issue a "request for proposal" which specifies in detail what and how many of the item in question they want to buy. Sellers submit proposals, and the agency awards contracts. Then the manufacturers put together the lot which is inspected by a rep of the agency (ie department of defense).
Click to expand...

That makes more sense. Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top