What did you rehang today?

I am constantly messing around trying to create a great full size pack ax. I am not a fan of the Dayton or the flat cheeked Collins homestead so this was more of an experiment of the handle size. This is 30 and a half inches total. I put a head I am not fond of on a handle I had in the pile I was not going to use due to grain run-out and whatnot. Might make a decent truck ax for someone.



 
Square_peg said:
What weight head?
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It's a 3 and a half pounder. I had it on a 32 but the handle warped and I didn't care for it all around to begin with. I was trying to find a sweet spot for a full sized pack ax. I compared it to a Foulton on a 36" handle. I think the mistake in my thinking was that comparison. I am not trying to make an equal to a 36" er.
I should have compared it to a boys ax on a 28" handle. That is what I am trying to improve on in a full size pack ax.
If this length works out I have a Red Warrior Michigan that I will hang and use as a pack ax. It has far better cheek geometry and is around the same weight. It stems from our conversation of a 3lbder on a 30 inch handle. But I don't have any 3lb heads.
 
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I am happy with how these turned out.

The 2.5lb Montreal pattern’s handle is from a taken down full size eye 28” straight handle. @DarthTaco123 posted a picture of his a while back and it really stuck with me.

The 2.5lb HB cruiser is on a slimmed down House Handle that I found locally. Funky swells, cherry wedges and both are very sharp.

I took some pics right after hanging and then again after applying the “Secret Sauce” to the handles. Not much but a little darker for an end result.

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Sorry for the gratuitous photos but I figured we all like to look at axe stuff.
 
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I like them Agent H. The knob ended swells are by far the most durable.
I have an older Walters Montreal pattern that I believe is on its original 27" straight haft. its hard not to like it.
 
Woodcraft said:
It's a 3 and a half pounder. I had it on a 32 but the handle warped and I didn't care for it all around to begin with. I was trying to find a sweet spot for a full sized pack ax. I compared it to a Foulton on a 36" handle. I think the mistake in my thinking was that comparison. I am not trying to make an equal to a 36" er.
I should have compared it to a boys ax on a 28" handle. That is what I am trying to improve on in a full size pack ax.
If this length works out I have a Red Warrior Michigan that I will hang and use as a pack ax. It has far better cheek geometry and is around the same weight. It stems from our conversation of a 3lbder on a 30 inch handle. But I don't have any 3lb heads.
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The old WW2 Swedish military surplus axes were a pretty good compromise with 3lb heads on 28" or so hafts. Big step up from boy's axes and cruiser's. The heads were not the best though.
 
cooperhill said:
Spiller axe 1949 jersey. double stamped 3.

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Collins legitimus was in a sorry state when i bought the head

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70s Collins homestead 2 1/4

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Those are awesome Cooperhill! What do you think of the steel on the Collins compared to the others you set up?

I'd be surprised to find a Maine axe anywhere near my area - Swamping patterns and occasionally rafting/construction axes... yes lol.
 
Agent_H said:
Those are awesome Cooperhill! What do you think of the steel on the Collins compared to the others you set up?

I'd be surprised to find a Maine axe anywhere near my area - Swamping patterns and occasionally rafting/construction axes... yes lol.
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Thanks! IIRCC, the 70s homestead was the hardest of the three to file. The legitimus and spiller seemed pretty typical. I generally use old stock bastard files to reprofile/sharpen. I have yet to test any of them.

I think this Spiller was an internet purchase. I mostly find Snow & Nealleys, John Kings, and E&S in my area (in that order of finds).
 
i have a cast steel legitimus and i cut through some wire and it didnt care, no dulling, it was the exact same as every other part of the blade, i'v had it for a good while now and it hasnt dulled yet
 
True temper red Warrior Michigan three and a half pounds on a modern true temper handle. 35 and a quarter inches top to bottom.


It was flat ground at one point I took some of that out. It will disappear over time.

You can see a little here. Shaving sharp with two files and my little puck stone.
 
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