Au-to-graf Project!

[JBW1]

Plumb Rescued from the elements. The handle looks to be original, but I don’t know if it is salvageable. Mushroomed on the butt end, surface rust and hardly an edge left. I can’t believe it was left out in the woods for who know how long! Someone’s grandpa was pissed when it never came home, haha.

[Smashie]

The head looks good, so a bit of a clean and new handle it will be great 

[JBW1]

The head looks good, so a bit of a clean and new handle it will be great 

Thanks Smashie! I’ve been excited researching the history of this thing. I’ve always had a place in my heart for axes. I still split wood by hand, like my grandpa had until 80yrs old. He never wanted anyone else to do it and despises hydro log splitters, said it kept him healthy, and there is nothing quite like the sound of a log splitting in half with an axe! He is now 90 and reluctantly lets others split it for him. I want to clean this up, USE it and pass it down to my son.... so he can split my wood when I’m 90! I actually use a 6lb maul for most of my splitting, but I can’t wait to put this one to work.

[JBW1]

"Learn to use an axe, and respect it and you can't help but love it. But abuse one and it will wear your hands raw and open your foot like an overcooked sausage.”
     -Richard Proenneke
This is what he called “The Black Beauty”. Watching One Man’s Wilderness on PBS as a kid sparked my love for axes. Seeing what is possible with an axe made me really want a double headed one just like his!

[Sparky415]

 

That is a beautiful looking Axe JBW 


Added, I hope you don't think I'm being rude but please don't over clean it 

[JBW1]

That is a beautiful looking Axe JBW 


Added, I hope you don't think I'm being rude but please don't over clean it 

I was wondering about that, what’s a good way to stop the rust, but not damage it? I was going to try out some 00 steel wool, then 0000? I want to keep it as original as possible. I’d really like to keep the handle too, but don’t know if it would be safe

[Sparky415]

I would first try a brass wire brush, something like  the kind you use for suede shoes 
just to see how it looks, then decide if it needs something more
Maybe then go on to the wire wool if it needs more?

To me it's a process of discovery, one step at a time and hopefully I don't go too far (I have gone too far in the past but I learn each time)

I've just finished refurbishing a machete, I used a wire wheel as there was a lot of rust but that didn't do enough, I then took a sander to it an it turned out just right 

I don't think a sander would be the right in your case!

The handle,
I would clean it then lots of coats of Boiled Linseed oil over time (read the warning on the tin!)
then take it out and start to use it, It might break but take it slow to begin with 

[Sparky415]

 

Actually thinking about it I would first use a scrubbing brush and soap, then see what it looks like after drying (maybe add a drop of oil when dry) 

[JBW1]

Thanks for your input sparky!

[Sparky415]

Thank you J
I really enjoy reading about this stuff 


A few years ago I picked this one up and decided to use it with the old handle (very light head on a medium lenth handle),  it broke after a few days, but I didn't lose anything trying the old handle and it might have been good 

[Yadda]

 

Actually thinking about it I would first use a scrubbing brush and soap, then see what it looks like after drying (maybe add a drop of oil when dry) 

If you don't mind losing the patina, Evaporust is great.  Vinegar also removes the rust.  If washing with wàter, consider spraying it with WD 40 to displace the water, then use that drop of oil Sparky suggested.

[JBW1]

Thank you J
I really enjoy reading about this stuff 


A few years ago I picked this one up and decided to use it with the old handle (very light head on a medium lenth handle),  it broke after a few days, but I didn't lose anything trying the old handle and it might have been good 

I had to try out the old girl. Put on a decent edge with my hand file and split up some kindling for last night. I was really surprised at the weight of the head. I can’t wait to get it up and running tip top. The handle may be too far gone, as it’s cracked right at the base of the head. I really like the med. length tho.

[JBW1]

 

Actually thinking about it I would first use a scrubbing brush and soap, then see what it looks like after drying (maybe add a drop of oil when dry) 

If you don't mind losing the patina, Evaporust is great.  Vinegar also removes the rust.  If washing with wàter, consider spraying it with WD 40 to displace the water, then use that drop of oil Sparky suggested.

Well killing the rust is definitely my first objective. So I will look in to what you had suggested! I had refinished an old cast iron pan a while back, and did find that soaking it in apple cider vinegar got all the rust off. I don’t know if this type of steel would respond the same. Thanks Yadda!

[Sparky415]

I think vinegar will make the steel look too clean


Nice picture, maybe a leather 'overstrike' collar? it will give the split some support 

[Sparky415]

Here's a thread I did a year or two ago that might be interesting JBW 
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,41665.msg665281.html#msg665281

[JBW1]

Here's a thread I did a year or two ago that might be interesting JBW 
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,41665.msg665281.html#msg665281

very cool thread Sparky! I didn’t have any lin seed oil, so I gave it a quick scuff with a wire brush, wiped it down, and put a lite coat of chainsaw bar and chain oil.... for now. The hand wire brush wasn’t too effective, I may try a cup wire wheel on my drill.

[Sparky415]

To me that looks perfect 

I could find a place for it on my wall   

[JBW1]

 

To me that looks perfect 

I could find a place for it on my wall   

thanks! I’m thinking that I may just use it to get the rust off “organically” haha. Then oil it afterwards. It mostly seemed like surface rust, some pitting, but I definitely need a new handle. Think I’ll stick with a medium hickory if I can find one.

[JBW1]

I found this stuck in a tree out in the middle of the NM Forrest! I’m honored to have found it and have a good group to help in the restoration! She couldn’t have found a better home to be adopted to

[SteveC]

Here's what not to do to a cool old axe

 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDqasBjHUNQ

[JBW1]

That video made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.... so if lil John wanted an axe, thats what he would buy... yehya! Whhhat! Okayyye! Why didn’t they just get a new axe, then could have just gone straight to buffing and polishing?? Not cool man, Not Cool.

[Sparky415]

I suppose we all change as we learn about tools and stuff 
One of the first axes I 'restored' I went the shiny route  (that's a project I should re-visit one day)



JBW if you need somewhere to store yours I could find some space for it 
(just showing off again)

[JBW1]

  woah! What’s that double headed??!!

[Sparky415]

That one is a joy to use, a very nice American gave that to me 

[TazzieRob]

Here's what not to do to a cool old axe

 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDqasBjHUNQ

Whilst I think it was a complete waste of time, it looks like it was more for the product endorsement of all the smurf he used. It also looks like it was a Stanley axe, so probably not an expensive one to begin with