WC Kelly Perfect Axe - found

bush-haus

bush-haus

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Oct 15, 2010
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Howdy all, I am usually not found in this subforum--I have zero knowledge of axes, however I may have found a reason and a project to have peeked my interest. I was camping last year in Oklahoma and found what I thought was any old randomly abandoned axe. I payed no attention for a year, but I am looking for a project and I want to restore it.

Problem is, I dont know what I have, although the brand itself appears to be very old. WC Kelly Perfect is stamped on the axe.
I would greatly appreciate any knowledge about this piece.

Thanks in advance!
tl3aWc1.jpg
 
bush-haus said:
Howdy all, I am usually not found in this subforum--I have zero knowledge of axes, however I may have found a reason and a project to have peeked my interest. I was camping last year in Oklahoma and found what I thought was any old randomly abandoned axe. I payed no attention for a year, but I am looking for a project and I want to restore it.

Problem is, I dont know what I have, although the brand itself appears to be very old. WC Kelly Perfect is stamped on the axe.
I would greatly appreciate any knowledge about this piece.

Thanks in advance!
tl3aWc1.jpg
Click to expand...
Not sure how long that stamp was used or how to date it but I can tell you it's after Kelly moved to VA in 1904. http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Kelly Axe Mfg. Co. .html
 
If ever you've wanted to tangle with a century old quality ax then a top-of-the-line Kelly is a good choice. Refurbishing this one is going to take considerable effort due to the disproportionately worn toe and the mushrooming of the poll (hopefully the eye is not distorted from all that pounding) but the end result ought to make you very proud.
 
It's a quality axe and not in too bad of shape. I suggest cleaninf it with a wire cup brush on an angle grinder to preserve the patina. File the slight mushrooming off the poll.

As 300Six pointed out you have a worn toe. You can sharpen it as is but it will perform better if you grind back the heel and center to match the toe. I'd take 3/16" of the heel and keep the very gentle curve of the bit - i.e. take a little out of the center, too. Then file the bit to a full banana or half banana grind and you will have an absolute first rate chopper.
 
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The wire wheel is definitely they way to go for rust removal.
As far as the mushrooming goes, you can try to carefully hammer it back first. Then go to a file if that doesn't do much.
 
Kelly moved to WV, not VA by the way, wer're a whole different state ;)
I grew up 10 minutes from the old plant, the last of which was demolished in the 80s
They made some of the best axes in the world, I pick them up when I find them locally.
 
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