SHOW ME YOUR AXES

[FTG-05]

The only ax I have is the Fiskars/Gerber green version with the 25" handle. Only pic I got of it:

Ooops! here's another:

 

[Gullet]

@Squareground3691,
I may have run across a Red Elm handle (far right in pic, 18" hatchet).
Doesn't look like any Ash I've worked with.
Hickory for comparison.
What say ye? Lol

 

[Squareground3691]

@Squareground3691,
I may have run across a Red Elm handle (far right in pic, 18" hatchet).
Doesn't look like any Ash I've worked with.
Hickory for comparison.
What say ye? LolView attachment 373223

The red elm , has a very distinctive grain for sure , haven’t actually had any in hand

 

[Gullet]

Ran across a guy about 45 miles from my house yesterday that happened to mention he had 40-50 unused axe handles he would sale.
Told him where I lived & he was shocked!
He said "That's where I live"!
Turns out he lives a mile from me! Lol
Anywho they are all seconds, but $5/each I found 3 worth buying today.
Found a oversized eye 28" Boys Axe Handle that fits my 4lb Mann Connecticut pattern.
Not gonna mount it but that would be a fun camp wood splitter! Lol

 

[davidwyby]

I’d like a 32” straight…

 

[maulhead]

Neat!

 

[Gullet]

Experimenting a little with handle finishes.
Had this 1.9# head given to me (14" handle).
Its marked "Arkansas Traveler".

That is 3 coats of leather dye mixed in BLO.
That handle was as white as the large handle its laying on.
Worked great, added some color & as simple as wiping on with a rag.
ALOT quicker to do than staining (messy & can take days).

 

[Gullet]

Other things I've tried recently is mixing oil based stain with BLO & it works well & blackens the grain nicely over time.
Easy as wiping on with a rag.

I've also applied a single coat of raw BLO on a handle, then used straight leather dye applied on top of it which helped the dye from being sucked into the wood (like a water & sponge) when applied directly to sanded hickory.
The dye coats a lot more even.
Then a couple more coats of BLO.

 

[Gullet]

The above "Arkansas Traveler" hatchet head pictured (prehang).
No telling how old it is, as the first known reference was 1820 (Arkansas Encyclopedia).
It could be from the 1960's, lol, no telling.
It definitely has a hardened poll (chipped instead of mushroomed).
Has a great ring to it, I'd guesstimate after WW2 but it could be older, who knows?

 

[Kerfed]

Shingle hatchet with nail puller?

 

[Gullet]

Shingle hatchet with nail puller?

I have no idea.
It's the only one of the type I've ever messed with (or even handled for that matter lol).
Your prolly right.
Nothing special but the only hatchet I own with a hardened poll.
I had camping & driving tent stakes on my mind when I hung it. Lol
Prolly gonna be a good kindling/tent stake driver.

 

[Gullet]

I dont think it's a shingle hatchet.
I've seen "hatchet with nail puller", that are similar, but the bit is a lot wider than a shingle hatchet.
I'd hate to cut shingles all day with a hatchet head that weighs over 1 1/2 pounds. Lol!

 

[Gullet]

It is just so well balanced (just a 14" handle) & thin, it just turns me on for some reason. Lol
Unlike most folks on this forum, I restore axes for resale (not just used as a tool).


Naturally, I have my own users (I live to camp & hunt Whitetail) but most are sold for profit.
Shown with 2 of my personal hatchets.
Hudson bay in front, Collins Red Seal in back.

 

[Kerfed]

I dont think it's a shingle hatchet.
I've seen "hatchet with nail puller", that are similar, but the bit is a lot wider than a shingle hatchet.
I'd hate to cut shingles all day with a hatchet head that weighs over 1 1/2 pounds. Lol!

You’re right, I meant broad hatchet which were for making shakes instead of a froe. Shingle hatchet after broad hatchet… Where do you find most of your stock?

 

[Gullet]

You’re right, I meant broad hatchet which were for making shakes instead of a froe. Shingle hatchet after broad hatchet… Where do you find most of your stock?

You mean heads?
Flea Markets, Garage sales, buddies watch out for me also.
I'm a tightwad & wont spend much on em. Lol




Made a Pine Knot wedge for the Mann Connie I'm close to mounting.
I have a lifetime supply & it is easy to work!
I just used a 4" knife & wooden mallet to get it close, then belt sander.
Ive never tried one, but from what I've read, It makes an excellent wedge.
My shop smells good! Lol

 

[ajschainsaws]

Picked this one up last week

 

[Gullet]

Didnt trust the Pine Knot wedge, so I didnt try it.
It was just too rich, you could hold it up to a light & a lot of it looked like Amber, you could see right thru it.
It also needs to be installed dry (no BLO) to be effective from what I've read.

So I made a White Oak wedge.
3" long, 2.75" of it going into the head (deepest wedge I've ever put in).

I'm liking the balance of this Mann Connie.
Just need to sharpen it & give it a workout.

 

[Squareground3691]

Didnt trust the Pine Knot wedge, so I didnt try it.
It was just too rich, you could hold it up to a light & a lot of it looked like Amber, you could see right thru it.
It also needs to be installed dry (no BLO) to be effective from what I've read.

So I made a White Oak wedge.
3" long, 2.75" of it going into the head (deepest wedge I've ever put in).

I'm liking the balance of this Mann Connie.
Just need to sharpen it & give it a workout.
View attachment 374808

Jatoba wood makes a nice wedge

 

[Gullet]

Jatoba wood makes a nice wedge

Not familiar, is it a foreign species or US?
I just used some I had on the woodpile (over 2 years seasoned).
It has perfect grain orientation.
I also have Cherry, Walnut & Mahogany.
The White oak:

 

[Squareground3691]

Not familiar, is it a foreign species or US?
I just used some I had on the woodpile (over 2 years seasoned).
It has perfect grain orientation.
I also have Cherry, Walnut & Mahogany.
The White oak:

Yea , not domestic