Why must they do this...

[Yankee Josh]

Talk about smashing the top of the eye!?! Check out what some genius did here...

they only fit the handle halfway into the eye and were too lazy or stupid to do anything other than try to hammer it on. And then they frickin’ tried to hammer wedges down into the eye deep enough to spread the kerf. But the handle was still only halfway into the eye so the just battered down the eye trying to get the wedges in.

This is why I’m a misanthropist.

That's a damn shame... However due to the pattern that is totally salvageable!
I know people are so stupid. You'd think they would see all the damage they are causing and would take a minute to figure out what they're doing wrong... nope!! Fing people..
Are you going to tackle restoring it hopefully?

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

That's a damn shame... However due to the pattern that is totally salvageable!
I know people are so stupid. You'd think they would see all the damage they are causing and would take a minute to figure out what they're doing wrong... nope!! Fing people..
Are you going to tackle restoring it hopefully?

Just sent it out as part of that trade. I know it was salvageable, tugs at the heartstrings to see it go.

 

[Yankee Josh]

Just sent it out as part of that trade. I know it was salvageable, tugs at the heartstrings to see it go.

I see. That's a great project axe. But so isn't the one you are getting!!

 

[muleman77]

I would not have usually bought this, but it was a 5 3/4 lb Kelly Flint Edge Hand Forged double bit. Got the same treatment along the line somewhere.

 

[Yankee Josh]

I would not have usually bought this, but it was a 5 3/4 lb Kelly Flint Edge Hand Forged double bit. Got the same treatment along the line somewhere.

Wow that is a unique one... I'd have grabbed it too! Rare to find one so heavy and stamped thus with the weight.
What does it weigh now? And will you restore it soon? I'd love to see some photos of the process if so!!
Definitely looks salvageable. I can't believe some people. Such fine axes posted in this thread just all beat to hell!

Edit; that's a beautiful anvil in the background... What make is it and what does it weigh?

 

[muleman77]

I'm not sure the weight now. It is pretty worn. I've had it 3 years I think, so any day now......right!

That's a 175 lb Trenton farriers pattern. It's a great anvil.

 

[muleman77]

Heres a warped eye I shaped back right a couple years ago. Pretty beat up poll too. Still use it from time to time, to pound wedges

Just at a black heat, from a torch. Wrapped the bit in a wet rag. Never had to do anything to the heat treat.

 

[Yankee Josh]

Heres a warped eye I shaped back right a couple years ago. Pretty beat up poll too. Still use it from time to time, to pound wedges

Just at a black heat, from a torch. Wrapped the bit in a wet rag. Never had to do anything to the heat treat.

Awesome! That came out great!
I've always been a little leery of using heat. Seems no matter how large the rag nor how saturated it is a ton of heat wants to go to the bit. I have done it I'm just not proficient at it.
Thanks for posting! We need more inspirational rescues like that! I mean that axe is fine and looks good to boot. And you weren't even really going for a full redo. Just trying to make it usable again right?

 

[Yankee Josh]

Forum is acting up again.. Another double post...

 

[Square_peg]

Just at a black heat, from a torch. Wrapped the bit in a wet rag. Never had to do anything to the heat treat.

I've done a few just like that. Same process. Can't even tell once you're done. Heat one side at a time. The cold side will retain it's shape.

 

[Square_peg]

Just at a black heat, from a torch. Wrapped the bit in a wet rag. Never had to do anything to the heat treat.

I've done a few just like that. Same process. Can't even tell once you're done. Heat one side at a time. The cold side will retain it's shape.

 

[Meek1]

Talk about smashing the top of the eye!?! Check out what some genius did here...

they only fit the handle halfway into the eye and were too lazy or stupid to do anything other than try to hammer it on. And then they frickin’ tried to hammer wedges down into the eye deep enough to spread the kerf. But the handle was still only halfway into the eye so the just battered down the eye trying to get the wedges in.

This is why I’m a misanthropist.

I see what happened here. They put the wedges in and then smashed the eye down to hold the wedges in. It makes perfect sense. Are you going to be able to save her? It's still in pretty good shape other than the obvious. Nice looking axe!

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Oops

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Oops

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Oops

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

oops

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Good grief!

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Oops

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

WTF BF?!?

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Come on!

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

I see what happened here. They put the wedges in and then smashed the eye down to hold the wedges in. It makes perfect sense. Are you going to be able to save her? It's still in pretty good shape other than the obvious. Nice looking axe!

It’s salvageable for sure. You can cut off those mushroom ridges on the eye and profile the top and bottom a little so they match again.
But at this point someone else has big plans for it, it was part of a trade I just negotiated. And now I am made to suffer as I learn how old and rare it is.

 

[JoeP01]

...they only fit the handle halfway into the eye and were too lazy or stupid to do anything other than...

I bought an old True Temper No.TFH half-hatchet along with some other tools at an estate sale this fall. The hatchet, which cost me $1, was barely used (and it cleaned up so nicely), but it had been abused - someone drove two screws and a narrow steel wedge length-wise into the kerf, which cracked the TFH's left-side cheek.

My first thought wasn't that the [now-dead] guy was lazy or stupid, but rather, that we're lucky [in some ways] to live in an age where video tutorials and massive discussion forums are instantly available to help one learn how to do things, whether that be hanging an axe or replacing a toilet.

My second thought was that it was a shame that the deceased didn't [seem to] have a son or grandson to whom he could pass down his tools, his hunting and fishing equipment, his camping gear, etc.