Helko axe head restoration

[Pacu]

Yesterday in the post I received an axe head from lowtech ( many thanks  ). It needs a bit of TLC. I have never restored an axe head so this will be fun for all. 

here is a link to the original posting

http://forum.multitool.or...ex.php/topic,40974.0.html

so first off here it is upon arrival. Micra for measurement sake.


here is the flip side


and into an oil bath to loosen some rust up




after a couple of hours and a good wipedown with a rag...




From the marks i can make out it is a Helko brand axe head - made in Germany. Not sure at to the date range on it. There are some numbers looks like above the name and a clover type mark on the flip side. It appears to been green at some point as there is green paint on it.

[Pacu]

After looking up some axe restoration videos on youtube looks like i started out wrong. The concensus says to soak the head in a rust removal solution..vinegar is mentioned quite a bit as is CLR- a kitchen lime/rust removal liquid. CLR seems a bit harsh and $$. Vinegar it is!



and in for a good couple of days with the lid on..vinegar is rank!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great thread mate

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[sparky415]

 

         

[Pacu]

Looks like the stinky vinegar is doing a right good job.




rust bits falling off the axe head.  After i get off work i'll go by and pick up some dobie or scotch brite scouring pads.

[Syph007]

Thats pretty cool.  Its one mean looking axe head. 

I saw the original pic when it still had a handle and it made me wonder if the handle was on backwards or by design.  I would think you'd want the nail puller pointed down toward the hand and handle, but in the pic it was pointing up.    Seems like it would be easier to pull a nail and use it crow bar style.  No idea but that's my few cents. 

[50ft-trad]

Yeah, I know wat you mean. Depends which way the taper is in the eye though I suppose 

[Pacu]

Here is what i came home to today. Vinegar does a really good job at rust removal. Might add that it is cheap and readily available, stinks to high heaven though. 




Went by Home Depot and picked up some scotch bright pads and some high grit paper. Not sure if i want to use the grit paper yet.



After some scrubbing with a scotch pad... about 10 minutes or so of elbow grease...beagles ran away from the horrible stink.








not too bad for a 20 hour soak in vinegar. Think i'll let it soak a bit more.

[50ft-trad]

That's coming up a treat mate 

[sparky415]

Very nice job Pacu

That's in really good condition and looks like it won't take a lot of work to sharpen it 

[enki_ck]

Very good progress pics. We'll need a performance demonstration video when it's done too.

[Pacu]

from this



to this



now back to the tub for an oil soak for a while. Thanks for the inside tip on keeping it rust free after the vinegar bath sparky415   

[Pacu]

now what to use



 

[ironraven]

I'm kind of digging that claw hammer butt

[MultiMat]

  , enjoying the progress mate