What did you rehang today?

der_vincent · Sep 28, 2016

Hi Phantomknives,

thanks a lot, Buddy, for your info that my guess about thr Michigan Pattern was true

Cheers, Erik

phantomknives · Sep 28, 2016

I found myself a three and a half pounder and i wouldnt trade it for anything. It's the best ax i own. I havent had the chance to do some heavy chopping yet but it took out a log i had laying around for a while in about 20 minutes of light swinging, I would recommend it to anybody that can find one

Square_peg · Sep 29, 2016

It's a western pattern not a Michigan. It's better than a Michigan.

phantomknives · Sep 29, 2016

i just re-hung a massive ax, i mean his thing has a presence. A five pound connie on a straight 36 swings like no other. it cuts like a kelly even though it has a fairly steep grind. It'll make a man outta you in a week. picture http://imgur.com/gallery/hO0Mv

der_vincent · Sep 30, 2016

Square_peg said:
It's a western pattern not a Michigan. It's better than a Michigan.

Hi Square_Peg,

good to hear from you, my friend ... and thanks for your highly appreciated hint on the Western Pattern ... guess i was lucky with my purchase then.
Maybe you can tel a bit more why the Western pattern is better than a Michigan pattern?

Is it true that the specific Name of the pattern gives an information not only about the Region where it comes from, but also about the kinda Wood that it is most suitable to use for?

Anyway - i really LIKE that axe.
Cheers, Erik

phantomknives · Sep 30, 2016

yes, patterns were made for specific areas

der_vincent · Sep 30, 2016

Hi Phantomknives,

thanks, my friend ... learning more about the american axe Tradition is really interesting for an european guy...

Cheers, Erik

rjdankert · Sep 30, 2016

An Ax to Grind:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment...lications/fs_publications/pdf/pdf99232823.pdf

Figure 15Three representative double-bit patterns:
Bluegrass Western pattern double-bit ax (top); True Temper
Kelly Perfect Michigan pattern double-bit ax (middle); and a
21/2-pound reversible cruiser ax, sometimes used for ax
throwing (bottom).

Figure 9Some standard patterns manufactured by True Temper Kelly in 1925.

From 1932 Belknap catalog:

Not sure of the source:

Bob

Square_peg · Sep 30, 2016

A Michigan is just a Western with the toe and heel worn off. I guess Michiganders like to stick their axe in the dirt.

rjdankert · Sep 30, 2016

Square_peg said:
A Michigan is just a Western with the toe and heel worn off. I guess Michiganders like to stick their axe in the dirt.

No, we just don't need the points to pick our butts with.

Bob

Hickory n steel · Oct 1, 2016

Square_peg said:
It's a western pattern not a Michigan. It's better than a Michigan.

For single bits Michigan's are my favorite as far as looks go, but I have to admit that I think the western pattern db's do look better.

phantomknives · Oct 1, 2016

there must be something wrong with me for doing this http://imgur.com/gallery/f0W0e dont say anything about keeping it, i just might, then i'll feel guilty, i told the guy i was doin this

der_vincent · Oct 1, 2016

rjdankert said:
An Ax to Grind:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment...lications/fs_publications/pdf/pdf99232823.pdf

Figure 15Three representative double-bit patterns:
Bluegrass Western pattern double-bit ax (top); True Temper
Kelly Perfect Michigan pattern double-bit ax (middle); and a
21/2-pound reversible cruiser ax, sometimes used for ax
throwing (bottom).

Figure 9Some standard patterns manufactured by True Temper Kelly in 1925.

From 1932 Belknap catalog:

Not sure of the source:

Bob

Hi Bob,
wow, awesome images of Patterns ... very interesting! Thanks a lot, Buddy.
Cheers, Erik

chevyguy72 · Oct 1, 2016

Second rehang complete. This one was a gift for my father. Collins homestead head on a 20inch? (I didn't measure the handle length to be honest) older handle I had hanging around, along with 2 coats of BLO and a little wax on the head. I put a real nice edge on this one so I just HAD to make a leather sheath to go with it. Overall I am fairly happy with everything. The head moved up on the handle a very small amount on me while I was driving the wedge but I was able to drive the wedge deep so it doesn't look like it will be going anywhere. I wish the head had more patina left on it aside from the strike marks/slight mushrooming on the poll but this is what she came out looking like after a quick brass brushing. Perhaps this steel just doesn't have the potential for that nice dark/blackened look once cleaned like I have seen on many heads in this thread. Cheers

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Agent_H · Oct 1, 2016

Chevyguy72, that is good looking deal you put together - especially with your sheath.

I know what you mean by the head moving up a touch when you are wedging. Whether it's an axe, hatchet, hammer, etc., it happens sometimes and it's a bit annoying. Not always a deal breaker though.

I guess the only real solve would be to rewedge it but if your head is on tight enough to use it then I wouldn't worry too much. Use it until it moves (if it does) and rewedge it.

You already have done the tough part of fitting, sharpening, and "sheathing".

20" seems like a useful length and the handle on that one has some classy lines :thumbup:

chevyguy72 · Oct 1, 2016

Thanks Agent_H...I don't believe the small amount of movement will cause a functional issue with this user. It was more of just an aesthetics thing, you can clearly see where the head sat prior to the "wedge drive" and it just bothered me haha. I forgot to take a picture looking down at the wedge, but it is in there tight.

Siskiyou Woodsman · Oct 1, 2016

"Overall I am fairly happy with everything. The head moved up on the handle a very small amount on me while I was driving the wedge but I was able to drive the wedge deep so it doesn't look like it will be going anywhere"

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Chevyguy72, we've all had the head move up a bit while wedging since your striking on the handle in the same manner as when removing the head. I have found that during wedging, it's useful to strike the swell end of the handle alternately as your setting the wedge, in fact I'd be surprised if you couldn't use a dead blow hammer on the swell end and still move the head back down. It's harder to do though on a handle like yours with a full steep angle. At any rate, that's a nice looking job you did there!

Agent_H · Oct 1, 2016

A couple of years ago I gave this 4# Plumb to my father in law. He left it outside during that time. Handle was a little dry I stopped by today and saw it out back and asked him how it was doing. He said the edge was chipped. Cant handle the gravel he is splitting wood on he says. Cant argue that lol.

Head had come loose and it was rusty. That was one that I had soaked in vinegar. It seems the solve for that grey look is to leave it outside in the rain just an observation not a recommendation.

I filed out the chips, left the edge sharp but at a more obtuse(?) angle this time.

An hour spent doing something on a rainy day that I enjoy anyway.

Here it was as I found it:

After the vinegar soak and before initial rehanging:

Here it is re-reattached today:

The gift that keeps on giving.

rjdankert · Oct 2, 2016

Agent_H said:
A couple of years ago I gave this 4# Plumb to my father in law. He left it outside during that time. Handle was a little dry I stopped by today and saw it out back and asked him how it was doing. He said the edge was chipped. Cant handle the gravel he is splitting wood on he says. Cant argue that lol. . .

:

:thumbup:

Bob

300Six · Oct 2, 2016

rjdankert said:
:
:thumbup:

Bob

Man, what you pulled off there is akin to having pulled a rabbit out of a hat. Nice resurrection.