- Joined
- Jun 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,944
Hey guys been a while since I posted. Work has been busy, haven't gotten as much time with the new axe as I would like but trying to fix that. I used her today and some weird things happened.
Axe in question is the gransfors American felling axe. Now after using it a bit to cut some year old rounds into firewood, I noticed the edge, well the shiny part of the head, not the part with the forged finish, got some deep dark brown marks, that don't look like rust or tree sap. They almost look like burns maybe from the hard oak?
And then as I was carrying some wood to the fire, I stuck the axe in a tree in my yard for about 10 minutes only, instead of laying it on the ground in the dark, and when I grabbed it again I see the corner of the bit on both sides of the head had a dark almost purple-ish black stain, the part of the edge that was in the tree. It was only there maybe 10 minutes or less, and I have had this happen before on an old axe I forgot about in a tree overnight, but I figured it was the tree sap staining the edge after sitting there so many hours. But 10 minutes? The stain almost looks like t dipped the corner of the bit in grape juice. Not sticky or gummy, more like a liquid stain if that makes any sense.
So, I tried goo gone which lightened it a bit, and some acetone which worked a little better, but the stains are still there and it's bothering me since the darn thing was so expensive. Now I know many will probably say just use it, and I will. But am real curious to what the reason is for future use.
And of course, what do you think I can try to remove the stains? Or should I try some steel wool or sandpaper? If yes than what grit sandpaper or wool?
I don't want to screw up the beautiful look of the axe though. To me it is a piece of art, but it also just begging to be put to some hard use.
What can I try to get it off? Thanks guys, I am just loving this axe though.
Dave
Axe in question is the gransfors American felling axe. Now after using it a bit to cut some year old rounds into firewood, I noticed the edge, well the shiny part of the head, not the part with the forged finish, got some deep dark brown marks, that don't look like rust or tree sap. They almost look like burns maybe from the hard oak?
And then as I was carrying some wood to the fire, I stuck the axe in a tree in my yard for about 10 minutes only, instead of laying it on the ground in the dark, and when I grabbed it again I see the corner of the bit on both sides of the head had a dark almost purple-ish black stain, the part of the edge that was in the tree. It was only there maybe 10 minutes or less, and I have had this happen before on an old axe I forgot about in a tree overnight, but I figured it was the tree sap staining the edge after sitting there so many hours. But 10 minutes? The stain almost looks like t dipped the corner of the bit in grape juice. Not sticky or gummy, more like a liquid stain if that makes any sense.
So, I tried goo gone which lightened it a bit, and some acetone which worked a little better, but the stains are still there and it's bothering me since the darn thing was so expensive. Now I know many will probably say just use it, and I will. But am real curious to what the reason is for future use.
And of course, what do you think I can try to remove the stains? Or should I try some steel wool or sandpaper? If yes than what grit sandpaper or wool?
I don't want to screw up the beautiful look of the axe though. To me it is a piece of art, but it also just begging to be put to some hard use.
What can I try to get it off? Thanks guys, I am just loving this axe though.
Dave
