I found this no-name 3.25 lb felling axe rotting and rusting away on the floor of an old chicken coop. I liked the overall shape and geometry, so I gave it some new life. A vinegar etch of the head removed most of the rust and revealed a good temper line with clean steel in the bit. It threw long, forked sparks on the grinding belt test, so the steel is at least sufficient. I painted the bulk of the head and cold blued the rest.
I made the 30.5” hickory haft by reshaping one I had laying about from a local big box store. I find about 1 in 50 has the right grain, but they’re often clunky and oversized (except for the eye, which is often too small at the shoulder). This haft came up great with a pleasing balance, snap and spring, but not quite enough length along the top of the eye. I used dual walnut cross wedges to remedy that. They’re set into shorter kerfs than the main wedge kerf and terminated with small holes to prevent splitting.
Probably not going camping with me, but I thought this might help those of us in the throes of summer’s heat catch a glimpse of the coming seasons. ❄️❄️❄️
I made the 30.5” hickory haft by reshaping one I had laying about from a local big box store. I find about 1 in 50 has the right grain, but they’re often clunky and oversized (except for the eye, which is often too small at the shoulder). This haft came up great with a pleasing balance, snap and spring, but not quite enough length along the top of the eye. I used dual walnut cross wedges to remedy that. They’re set into shorter kerfs than the main wedge kerf and terminated with small holes to prevent splitting.
Probably not going camping with me, but I thought this might help those of us in the throes of summer’s heat catch a glimpse of the coming seasons. ❄️❄️❄️
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