What did you rehang today?

[davemonkey]

Some fine work in this thread. Here are a couple of my recent hangs. First in an unmarked bark spud that I finally found a suitable handle for. Next is a TT Tommy axe. The head came in rough shape, minor mushrooming on the poll and it had been sloppily sharpened with an angle grinder at some point. It took a decent edge, just hope the temper is still good.

 

[jgang]

Started out as a simple Stanley hatched I picked up somewhere, probably for nothing. I wanted something in the shape of a carpenter's axe or Mustad, so I grabbed a hacksaw and went to work. Took a bit to get the shape of the head right, but 3 simple cuts and a TON of careful grinding and polishing later, I'm pleased with the results. The bearded shape allows for a nice, high grip for fine work while still retaining ample weight. The haft is from an old, broken Collins double bit. Grain is as perfect as I have seen and the wood is hard as a rock. I wanted a little shape to it and, while I got it, it ended up a little thin toward the belly/throat/knob. I'm not sure if I'm going to wrap it or not, but it still feels great and, after 6 coats of Arrow Wood Finish, should be well sealed. I still need to sharpen it and possibly drill a hole in the knob for a lanyard though. I'll probably throw together a simple cover for it too. Just my interpretation of a light duty, general purpose camp axe.

 

[Square_peg]

Some fine work in this thread. Here are a couple of my recent hangs. First in an unmarked bark spud that I finally found a suitable handle for. Next is a TT Tommy axe. The head came in rough shape, minor mushrooming on the poll and it had been sloppily sharpened with an angle grinder at some point. It took a decent edge, just hope the temper is still good.

Nice work. The bark spud handle looks like factory equipment.

 

[cooperhill]

​worked on what I think is a PV Mfg. co double bit on Saturday morning (from the look of the number stamp). Still trying to figure out if the hang is crooked or if its just the axe grind (i had to do some significant re-profiling). Tried it out on a few spruces and it works pretty well. Handle is a 28" modified op link. I will post more pics when I get a chance. ​

 

[300Six]

Started out as a simple Stanley hatched I picked up somewhere, probably for nothing. I wanted something in the shape of a carpenter's axe or Mustad, so I grabbed a hacksaw and went to work. Took a bit to get the shape of the head right, but 3 simple cuts and a TON of careful grinding and polishing later, I'm pleased with the results. The bearded shape allows for a nice, high grip for fine work while still retaining ample weight. The haft is from an old, broken Collins double bit. Grain is as perfect as I have seen and the wood is hard as a rock. I wanted a little shape to it and, while I got it, it ended up a little thin toward the belly/throat/knob. I'm not sure if I'm going to wrap it or not, but it still feels great and, after 6 coats of Arrow Wood Finish, should be well sealed. I still need to sharpen it and possibly drill a hole in the knob for a lanyard though. I'll probably throw together a simple cover for it too. Just my interpretation of a light duty, general purpose camp axe.

Not the sort of thing I'd want to do to a vintage head but you did a nice job of it. My compliments. I can readily see how the indent is nice for carving and whittling and yet still allow for use as a chopper.

 

[jgang]

I had some reservations about chopping it up, but, while it was kind of vintage, it was the one that I had that made the best "donor" for my particular wants/needs. I was very pleased with how the indent turned out....it is very, very comfortable.

 

[300Six]

I had some reservations about chopping it up, but, while it was kind of vintage, it was the one that I had that made the best "donor" for my particular wants/needs. I was very pleased with how the indent turned out....it is very, very comfortable.

With many folks on here gloating about $2 garage sale finds of real classics, plus there being 100s of 1000s of lovely old axes languishing in garages and basements, desecrating one (re-purposing it, in fact) shouldn't really bother us too much. At least 'she's' got a new life and is back on the road.

 

[jgang]

I hope to get some good use out of her if I don't pass her along to some youngster who needs it more than I do. I don't have many "wallhangers" although I keep my eye out. Someone posted a rebuild of an old mustad axe around here awhile back. As I am want to do with many things, if I can't find what I want that suits my particular need or tastes, I make my own. I could find that style anywhere and, impatient as I am, found a solution to my want dilema. LOL!

 

[Agent_H]

Cooperhill, that is a great looking axe. Have not seen one of those in person.

Here a few I’ve been messing with for a while.
Lakeside 3.5#

Craftsman hatchet

Collins 3.5#

 

[davemonkey]

Nice work. The bark spud handle looks like factory equipment.

It is actually a Cold Steel replacement handle for the special forces shovel. CSH92SF

 

[Agent_H]

It is actually a Cold Steel replacement handle for the special forces shovel. CSH92SF

Did you order one for the spud or have one handy?

Either way, that is a terrific tool you restored. I always look for those spuds but imagine they weren't produced in the numbers a lot of other gear was at the time.

I wonder how many of those just got left for time to eat on or maybe repurposed?

 

[davemonkey]

I had this and another spud waiting for handles when I came across these in a catalog. They are fairly inexpensive so I got one to give it a try. Just a little work to the handle and it fit better than expected. Still need to order another one. As far as bark spuds go, you never come across them in this area (central KY). Mine came from the big auction site. Sadly, I think when steel prices were high a few years ago many nice old and unusual tools were sold for scrap.

 

[Square_peg]

Sadly, I think when steel prices were high a few years ago many nice old and unusual tools were sold for scrap.

Many nice old and unusual tools are continually sold for scrap. Most are now car fenders and soup cans. But I'm doing my part to save them!

 

[Steve Tall]

... Do you know what years Säter Banko exported axes?

Looks like Säters was already exporting in 1917 (or earlier), since they are listed under Axe Manufacturers in the "Anglo-Swedish Year Book" published by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for United Kingdom in 1917.
Anglo-Swedish Year Book - Page 78
https://books.google.com/books?id=m8RDAQAAMAAJ
1917 - ‎Snippet view - ‎More editions
SATERS YXFABRIK, A.B., Axe Manufacturers

In 1966, when they reportedly were shut down in Sweden, the Sater trademark was evidently associated with Sandvik:
Hardware Age - Volume 198, Issues 1-2 - Page 54
https://books.google.com/books?id=ts8TAQAAMAAJ
1966 - ‎Snippet view - ‎More editions
... Temper Corp Tommy Axe — See True Temper Corp True Temper — See True Temper Corp True Temper Corp 1623 ... Fair Lawn NJ 07410 (Swedish) Sater-Banko — See Sandvik Saw & Tool Div

After closing in the 1960s, some of the forging equipment from Säters was moved to Wetterlings, where it is still used today (according to Wetterlings history page: "Ingvar took part in dismantling one of Säter’s four Arboga forging presses and then mounting it in Storvik where it is still found and used.")

Some more clues from a previous thread appear below.

Axes marked Banko or Banco were evidently made by Säters, which reportedly existed from 1894 until 1966.

Säters Yxfabrik

...beyond Lerviken and Gessån outside Sater was built in 1894 a small factory plant for the manufacture of axes, right by the river's outlet from Björs Cab Sea. In Björs foundry can still see the mill stone foundation and the water pond that was built to produce electricity. It was Alderman Carl Rundqvist in Sater that with the assistance of itinerant workers took to the forging of the croft in Björs foundry.

The production was around 100 axes per day and workforce consisted of six workers. The operation went well and the factory became known for its excellent axes. Rundkvist decided in 1906 to expand the business and formed a limited liability company and a new factory building was built in Sater next to the highway and the railway. Now could yxtillverkningen operated more rationally with better access to electric power and communications. Säters yxfabrik eventually became a famous place of work and considerable industry. Yxfabrikens production of the so-called "Sater ax" eventually became widely known, and the factory received several awards for its quality manufacturing.

Besides the well-known "Sater ax" was made ​​even isbillar sledgehammers and kilsläggor. In the 1940s produced daily 800-900 axes in Sater factory. The workforce was about 50 men. Demand for the factory's products declined in the early 1960s and the factory was closed. Today is the factory premises including a cinema museum.

from http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1J2DG_saters-yxfabrik-yxfabriken-2?guid=02e51ffa-d837-4c54-bb67-98bd7749faea
roughly translated by google


The Wetterlings History page says that Saters closed and was abandoned in 1966, leaving just 3 axe factories in Sweden (down from 20 factories in the early 1900s)
http://www.wetterlings.com/history/

 

[aikonen]

Looks like Säters was already exporting in 1917 (or earlier), since they are listed under Axe Manufacturers in the "Anglo-Swedish Year Book" published by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for United Kingdom in 1917.
Anglo-Swedish Year Book - Page 78
https://books.google.com/books?id=m8RDAQAAMAAJ
1917 - ‎Snippet view - ‎More editions
SATERS YXFABRIK, A.B., Axe Manufacturers

In 1966, when they reportedly were shut down in Sweden, the Sater trademark was evidently associated with Sandvik:
Hardware Age - Volume 198, Issues 1-2 - Page 54
https://books.google.com/books?id=ts8TAQAAMAAJ
1966 - ‎Snippet view - ‎More editions
... Temper Corp Tommy Axe — See True Temper Corp True Temper — See True Temper Corp True Temper Corp 1623 ... Fair Lawn NJ 07410 (Swedish) Sater-Banko — See Sandvik Saw & Tool Div

After closing in the 1960s, some of the forging equipment from Säters was moved to Wetterlings, where it is still used today (according to Wetterlings history page: "Ingvar took part in dismantling one of Säter’s four Arboga forging presses and then mounting it in Storvik where it is still found and used.")

Some more clues from a previous thread appear below.

Thank you Steve, you are the best! Happy New year!

 

[Wildcat]

dont have any idea what make it is but it was just a rectangle shaped head when i got it a few years ago. it sat on my bench til last week when i got it out and reshaped it and hung it. the haft is from an old collins boys axe that i rehung. i slimmed it down for this head. gec redneck for size reference. it weighs 11 oz on my food scale.

 

[DarthTaco123]

Carved out a handle for my Homestead boys axe today!

 

[Square_peg]

Carved out a handle for my Homestead boys axe today!

That looks great! I'd like to see a pic of the whole thing.

 

[DarthTaco123]

She necks down quite a bit at the waist, had a knot that wanted to show up that I drew down. It'll do fine though.

 

[DarthTaco123]

Old school styled head, old school haft! My uncle got me the head (Walters Montreal pattern) for a whole dollar last year in an auction, he got me hooked so I went a few weeks later and purchased a few lots of axes, they all came out of an old barn in Dexter, ME. Included was a poor old warped axe handle, no wedge slot cut or anything. It wasn't bent as a hewing axe handle, it was Bowed in the middle. Anyways I gently straightened it and loved the old look if had. It just HAD to have a head put on it, but nothing I had really fit the style of this handle until I found my good ole Montreal pattern. A few minutes with the rasp and here we are!