TT flint edge boys axe head: what would you do with it?

V

volta

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Dec 28, 2010
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I recently scored a True Temper flint edge boys axe for $20. It's in good shape, as you'll see in the pictures. It has minor peening in some places and a real nice blue patina to it. I have two house boys axe handles on the way. One handle is octagonal. The other is round. Both are hand picked with no lacquer. I like the shape of the 28" handle I hung my plum 3.5lb head but I may shape on one of the boys axe handles and make the palm swell on the bottom into more of a flared shape. I hope to make it a real nice axe. how would you go about refurbishing the head? I may be overestimating how nice this specimen is, but I quite like that patina. Should I file off the damage? should i give it a vinegar bath and work it with some sandpaper? Here are the pics:


 
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She looks fine as is. No need for vinegar as it'll just ruin the patina. The mushrooming is nowhere near bad enough to bother filing (again filing will ruin the patina). Sharpen it, hang it, love it. Seems like that's the extent of what you have to do!
 
DarthTaco123 said:
She looks fine as is. No need for vinegar as it'll just ruin the patina. The mushrooming is nowhere near bad enough to bother filing (again filing will ruin the patina). Sharpen it, hang it, love it. Seems like that's the extent of what you have to do!
Click to expand...

+1 Nice looking boy's axe head.
 
If the peening has created a burr on the lip of the eye then that would need to be filed off before you hang it. Round and half-round files can do that. I would file a half-banana grind on the bit. Being a Flint Edge and well patina'd the bit will seem impossibly hard to file. But if you work through the oxidation layer in one spot and then work out with your file from there you'll find it is possible to file. It will need to be secured to your bench or vise for filing. It doesn't need a lot of work - just freshening up of the bit.

Great score. You have a top quality axe that will last a lifetime. Congrats.
 
Awesome find and great patina. I'd do as they say above and leave it as is, and put a sharp edge on it, and hang it on one of the handles. I differ on the poll peening though, even though yours is so minor...I've never liked the look of it on axes, and it gives me a more "abused" vibe. I would either try to lightly hammer it back or file (or coarse stone) it down. Yes, it will remove the patina there, but I feel that's a fine compromise for both increased aesthetics and splitting ability (the mushrooming won't get hung up). Either way you have a fantastic boy's axe...I'm looking for one like that myself.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm glad I didn't start filing on it. The mushrooming is very minimal. Now I just need to get those handles in the mail! I'll post pictures when I have it hung and I can go swing it.
 
If you'd like more shine on your patina, a light brass wire or steel wool buffing will do nicely. That's a sweet little guy that only needs a little bit of attention to be good for another 60 years. Good score.
 
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