Urge to get into Axes

B

Bull Mountain Custom

Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
961
I grew up on 5 acres in Oregon and was exposed to using an axe, chainsaw and splitting maul at a young age (11 or 12). One of my favorite things to do when I go up to my parents place is to help dad split wood. I don't know what it is about splitting wood but I will do it tell I can't lift my arms anymore. While I don't spend as much time as I would like in Oregon since I work in Denver, CO a couple weeks at a time. I then head back to Oregon for an extended weekend, then it is back to Colorado. So I do not have a lot of time to enjoy using an axe but I do have a lot of time on my hands that could be used to bring some back to their former glory.

This thread is what got my interest peaked:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ts-use-those-axes-for-what-they-were-ment-for

In rplarson2004 first post there is a Council Velvicut which is on my must buy list, what a beautiful tool! What is the other axe? Can someone PM me where one can be purchased if they are still in production?

After cruising some of the other threads I have added a wetterlings splitting maul and axe to my must have list also. I have faith that this list will grow rapidly now that I have discovered this sub-forum.

I figure while I am working here in Colorado I can start building up my axe inventory so I am prepared when I am back in Oregon full time. I am looking forward to expanding my interest in edged tools past knives:D The wife might not like this new addiction unless I take it a little slower than the Spyderco bender I have been on the last couple months.
 
dont start... its addicting :D

the 'other axe' is a true temper kelly perfect. they are nice axes and can be found from time to time on auctions sites. they usually go for a high price...

heck, if i were you i would look around at some old pawn shops in CO. you never know what you might find!
 
This is the same axe as the Velicut but sold by the Best Made Co. (BMC). It's a real user. This old birch was at least 18". Both the Best made and Council Velicut are sold online. The Best Made (unfinished) is slightly cheaper. I like that the BMC version has the fawn's foot removed.

http://www.bestmadeco.com/collections/frontpage/products/american-felling-axe-unfinished

http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=JP40DV36C

9af711acba7b11e1b10e123138105d6b_7.jpg


68ae44b08b4911e19dc71231380fe523_7.jpg
 
By the fawn's foot removed you are talking about the handle design?

Another question, where does everyone get your handles to rehandle? Not sure what the proper term is for this process.

Now I am on that famous auction site looking for a true temper kelley perfect and after reading one of the other threads a Collins Legitimus in what I believe is called a delaware pattern. I think I have contracted another disease!
 
Fawn's foot is a particular type of handle, but yes, removing the end is recommended. It has a tendency to break off.

From "An Axe to Grind" http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/99232823/

fig045.jpg


Figure 45--If you use a fawn's foot handle, saw off
the handle about ¾ inch from the butt end to
provide a blunt surface for pounding with your mallet
(drawing by Frederic H. Kock).

Handles:

House Handles http://househandle.com

Just picked up three from them. got them to do the octagonal shaping. Quality (grain orientation, etc.) can be mixed but overall good. I like that they are on the thin side.



Hickory Handle store (ebay) http://stores.ebay.com/Hickory-Handle-Store
Had very good luck with Mark at HHS.
 
cooperhill said:
Fawn's foot is a particular type of handle, but yes, removing the end is recommended.
Click to expand...

I prefer an unclipped fawn's foot. It feels better in my hand. I grip an axe low and I don't like having a sharp corner in my palm. And if you use a rubber mallet to drive the head onto the haft then you wont chip your fawn's foot.

215135-Penny.gif
215135-Penny.gif
 
This is all great info and I have been cruising the auction site looking for a worthy axe head needing to be rehandled. I am hoping to pick one up in the next couple weeks and then go from there. I am sure to have many more questions along the way.
 
I have had some luck recently picking up a couple axes. This first photo is a picture of all the axes/heads (Kelly Perfect, Collins Commander, Collins Homestead, Zenith DB, Plumb DB, Mann DB, 3 unmarked DB's) I picked up at a swap meet the first weekend of August.

AxeHaul.jpg


Close up of the Kelly Perfect, the handle is dry but appears to be the factory handle and is rock solid, a little damage from over swinging but does not appear to effect the integrity of the handle. I am just going to give it a good sharpening, rub some BLO into the handle and use it.

KellyPerfect2.jpg


Kellyperfect.jpg


This is a close up of a Collins Commander with part of the factory label intact, the head is in great shape and the handle is factory but has a very pronounced bow and is extemely loose in the eye. This will be getting a new handle and re-hung unless anyone has a suggestion on how to save it.

CollinsCommander.jpg


Collins Homestead, the bit has some minor damage at the top that has been sharpened out by the previous owner, handle is original and in great shape and part of the factory label remains on the head. This will get sharpened and used as is.

CollinsHomestead.jpg


Zenith double bit cruiser? marked Zenith Marshall Wells 2 1/4 and on the back side Kelly????? but I can't get a good picture of the marking until I get the head cleaned up. This is my favorite find outside of the Kelly perfect. My dad has a similar ax that I love but I can't get him to part with it, so I did the next best thing and got one of my own. This will be getting hung with a 28" octagon cruiser handle.

ZenithDB2.jpg


ZenithDB.jpg


Mann double bit marked Bert Mann Supply, Marshall Wells something????, I am not too good with the patterns yet but would this be a Michigan pattern? Not sure what my plans are for this one yet, I may send this one down the road or it might get hung but for now it will sit on the shelf.

MannDB.jpg


MannMisc.jpg


The rest you see on the table are a Plumb double bit that is a little rusty but should clean up nicely and both bits are in very good shape. The other three double bits are unmarked, one is in great shape and will most likely get hung (another Michigan pattern???), the two felling pattern double bits have seen better days and I have no idea what I will do with them.
 
Get out of the axe game now while you can. No need to get into axes. Plenty of other things to go get into. Like tape measures, or scales or something. :)
 
Yeah....Or rubber bands or paper clips. For heaven's sake keep away from axes. Look what it's done to all these crazy dudes on this forum.

regards...Frank
 
I already got it bad as you can tell from the photos above. I missed out on an awesome Collins legitimus dayton single bit, probably a four or four and a half pound head. Other than surface rust and a junk haft it was in perfect shape. The guy bought it for $10 about fifteen minutes before I got to that booth.

I am happy with my haul and look forward to adding more soon. Tops on my list is a nice jersey pattern Kelly perfect and a nice Collins legitimus Dayton. Also looking to add a good boy scout hatchet but the ones I have come across we're in pretty bad shape.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top