Elwell

Neil · **on:** June 15, 2009, 12:19:17 AM

Picked up an old axe from a carboot sale this morning. Needs plenty of work but it "spoke to me"^* Question, who are Elwell and are there axes any good?

^* Not literally; I may be British but I'm not actually totally deranged ... ... shut up Mike

Gareth · **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:22:26 AM

I'm not an axe expert at all but I seem to remember reading that Elwell were a British firm and the axes are well thought of. I can't be more specific I'm afraid. Do we get any pics?

nuphoria · **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:27:37 AM

You see quite a few Elwell axes on ebay from time to time, and they seem to fetch a few quid.

That's all I've got!

Neil · **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:40:55 AM

Quote from: Gareth on June 15, 2009, 12:22:26 AM

I'm not an axe expert at all but I seem to remember reading that Elwell were a British firm and the axes are well thought of. I can't be more specific I'm afraid. Do we get any pics?

I'll do pics in daylight tomorrow. I need advice on what to do with the handle anyway.

rp252 · **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2009, 01:23:09 AM

Yeah, I've ready good things about them as well. Started making axes in the 1800's I think, and they no longer exist as far as I'm aware.

Some links for you mate.
http://www.timelesstools.co.uk/elwell_tools.htm
http://www.theluddite.com/handtools.html

Neil · **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2009, 01:41:13 AM

Quote from: rp252 on June 15, 2009, 01:23:09 AM

Yeah, I've ready good things about them as well. Started making axes in the 1800's I think, and they no longer exist as far as I'm aware.

Some links for you mate.
http://www.timelesstools.co.uk/elwell_tools.htm
http://www.theluddite.com/handtools.html

Thanks for the links. Crikey, some of the prices seem steep, to me anyway, are they realistic or do you reckon wishful thinking? If they're realistic I may have a new business venture in my sights

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:29:01 AM

Quote from: Neil on June 15, 2009, 12:19:17 AM

Picked up an old axe from a carboot sale this morning. Needs plenty of work but it "spoke to me"^* Question, who are Elwell and are there axes any good?

^* Not literally; I may be British but I'm not actually totally deranged ... ... shut up Mike

Yes you are barking Neil, but seeing as I share your affliction I can't really have a pop at you about it

The British Army used them on there AFV's, I now this because my Grandad's still got the one he libberated

Now pictures, and price please

Neil · **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2009, 08:30:51 PM

Thumbnails galore...

Here's a funny looking chopper I got off the same stall...

rp252 · **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2009, 08:49:58 PM

Quote from: Neil on June 15, 2009, 08:30:51 PM

Thumbnails galore...

Here's a funny looking chopper I got off the same stall...

Very nice indeed mate, good find. Those will look really great after a little cleaning (they look great already

)

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:05:06 PM

Damn that's a nice looking axe

Neil · **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:19:46 PM

If you look at picture seven you can see where the handle is splitting lengthways. I'd like to retain the handle if possible but not at the cost of safety when it comes back into use. Do you think I should repair or replace?

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:22:03 PM

Quote from: Neil on June 15, 2009, 10:19:46 PM

If you look at picture seven you can see where the handle is splitting lengthways. I'd like to retain the handle if possible but not at the cost of safety when it comes back into use. Do you think I should repair or replace?

If in doubt, replace

You really can't take a chance on an axe imo $:-\$

rp252 · **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:32:35 PM

Quote from: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on June 15, 2009, 10:22:03 PM

Quote from: Neil on June 15, 2009, 10:19:46 PM
If you look at picture seven you can see where the handle is splitting lengthways. I'd like to retain the handle if possible but not at the cost of safety when it comes back into use. Do you think I should repair or replace?
If in doubt, replace

You really can't take a chance on an axe imo $:-\$

+1. Its not worth the risk of hurting yourself dude. Any well made wooden handle (of the appropriate wood) will look good on that axehead.

hawkchucker · **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:42:58 PM

Replace the handle. It actually is very easy and actually fun. You will have a shiney new old axx.

jzmtl · **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:06:25 PM

Quote from: Neil on June 15, 2009, 08:30:51 PM

Thumbnails galore...

Here's a funny looking chopper I got off the same stall...

Hey, it has a better edge the my machete when I first bought it!

Neil · **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:11:37 PM

Thanks for affirming what I knew I should do ... really

Of course the mad thing is the handle is going to cost me several times more than I paid for it.

Now to find one of the same design. No I don't fancy making one from scratch

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:19:23 PM

Replace the handle...doh!...too late

...and make it all shiny...for reflecto photos...

Gareth · **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:50:46 PM

I'm thinking that the handle has quite similar lines to Swedish axes. Perhaps a Wetterlings handle could do the job?

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2009, 07:16:47 AM

Hmm...methinks Neil has had enough time to grow a handle by now...

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #19 on:** July 04, 2009, 09:18:22 AM

Quote from: SporkBob NoPants on July 04, 2009, 07:16:47 AM

Hmm...methinks Neil has had enough time to grow a handle by now...

Yeah, the Bee-man is slacking on this one

Neil · **Reply #20 on:** July 04, 2009, 11:04:14 AM

Whilst I have had a casual look around for a suitable handle I've not seen one that I like

Doing nicely with the old chopper restoration from the billhook thread though

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #21 on:** July 04, 2009, 01:27:15 PM

Quote from: Neil on July 04, 2009, 11:04:14 AM

Whilst I have had a casual look around for a suitable handle I've not seen one that I like

Doing nicely with the old chopper restoration from the billhook thread though

Any piccies yet mate

Neil · **Reply #22 on:** July 04, 2009, 02:38:20 PM

Rough work to the blade is done. All the crud is gone, the chunks sticking out sideways on the top have been removed, the edge is now flat again but I've still to sort the bevel. I've yet to decide if I'm going to do any more cosmetic work to it or just keep it in the raw so to speak

The handle isn't fixed yet as I'm not quite happy with its shape. They were cheap so I bought three. Good job as two of them had been drilled out so badly that they are unusable

rp252 · **Reply #23 on:** July 04, 2009, 04:01:32 PM

Looking good mate

I think it looks great the way it is now - gives it a venerable sort of appearance. If you stain the handle a bit once you're happy with the shape it'll look fantastic.

Neil · **Reply #24 on:** July 04, 2009, 04:03:01 PM

Quote from: rp252 on July 04, 2009, 04:01:32 PM

Looking good mate I think it looks great the way it is now - gives it a venerable sort of appearance. If you stain the handle a bit once you're happy with the shape it'll look fantastic.

You're probably right, its just that I normally do highly polished stuff, even if its distressed polished stuff

rp252 · **Reply #25 on:** July 04, 2009, 04:21:59 PM

Quote from: Neil on July 04, 2009, 04:03:01 PM

Quote from: rp252 on July 04, 2009, 04:01:32 PM
Looking good mate I think it looks great the way it is now - gives it a venerable sort of appearance. If you stain the handle a bit once you're happy with the shape it'll look fantastic.

You're probably right, its just that I normally do highly polished stuff, even if its distressed polished stuff

Its such a nice piece it'll look good whichever way you take it. As long as there are plenty of pics of the end product I don't mind

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #26 on:** July 04, 2009, 05:49:32 PM

Chopper is looks alright to me...I'd use it

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #27 on:** July 04, 2009, 06:36:57 PM

Like everyone else has said, leave it as it is mate

It looks grand as is

rob bell · **Reply #28 on:** November 02, 2013, 09:10:25 AM

Elwell was at one time the worlds largest tool manufacturer, specializing in edged tools and based @ Wednesbury Forge, near Birmingham, England and founded by James Elwell.
Elwell fell on hard times around the middle of the 20th centuary and were taken over by Spear & Jackson but were made under the name of Spearwell for a short time.
I have a few elwell axes including some rare Austrailian pattern ones and a total collection of over 100 axes and bill hooks

Sparky415 · **Reply #29 on:** November 02, 2013, 09:19:54 AM

Good Morning Rob and welcome

100

I hope you are going to post some pictures for us please

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