When buying heavily rusted heads

What Nick said above. I will buy just about any old used and abused rusty old head. This give a great chance to try things out on them before using it on other axes of better value/quality etc. Reprofiling bits especially. Great point by Nick.
 
Another rust removal idea is electrolytic, if you have an old manual battery charger or 12v benchtop power supply. Been using it for old car parts for years and it's great. Does not harm cast iron like acid will, not that that's an issue for cutlery/axes.
 
I took this 200+ year old fur trade belt axe as far as I felt comfortable to, considering its original condition. Electrolysis, fresh water wash, 2 hours in 200 degree oven to dry it out, conservators wax. It has been stable for years now.




 
I didn't like the vinegar method. It deepened the existing pits. Angle grinder with a wire cup preserves patina,
the same grinder with a "flap sander" gives a brushed finish. If I decide to smooth a hammered poll, I use a grinding
disk, then go to a cheapo 1" belt grinder I got - works great!
 
upnorth said:
I took this 200+ year old fur trade belt axe as far as I felt comfortable to, considering its original condition. Electrolysis, fresh water wash, 2 hours in 200 degree oven to dry it out, conservators wax. It has been stable for years now.

Click to expand...


Sharpen that bad boy up. Carve out a new period correct haft for it and hang it. Then go chop something with it. Lets see what it can do!

All kidding aside that is one very cool old axe. Preservation nicely done!
 
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