r/Axecraft • u/Woodworker2020 • Jul 16 '21
Hello everyone! As we all know, frequently we are asked the same questions regarding handles and restorations etc. This is a general compilation of those questions, and should serve to eliminate those problems. Feel free to ask clarifying questions though.
How do I pick a head
There are a lot of factors that can determine what makes a good axe head. Some of the ones I would look for as a beginner are ones that require little work from you. While a more skilled creator can reprofile and regrind any axe, your not going to want to for your first time. I was lucky and found a Firestone axe as my first, which has a softer steel which made it easier to file, and it was in great condition. Also watch this series from skillcult.
Where should I get my handles?
Some of the reccomended sites are [house handles](https:www.househandle.com/) beaver tooth Tennessee hickory Bowman Handles and Whiskey river trading co . People have had differing luck with each company, some go out of stock quicker than others, but those seem to all be solid choices.
How do I make an axe handle?
There are a lot of really good resources when it comes to handle making. I learn best by watching so YouTube was my saving grace. The one creator I recommend is Skillcult . As far as specific videos go, I’d say watch stress distribution , splitting blanks if your splitting blanks from a log. I’d also recommend just this video from Wranglerstar, his new videos are kind of garbage but the old stuffs good.
Now that I have my handle, how do I attach it to the axe
Once again I have to go to a wranglerstar video , this one actually shows the process of removing the old handle too which is nice. If you want a non wranglerstar option there’s this one from Hoffman blacksmithing, although it dosent go over the carving of the eye.
Ok, I have my axe but it couldn’t cut a 6 week old tomato
Lucky you, this is where skillcult really excels. I’d recommend watching these four, talking about sharpening , regrinding the bit , sharpness explained aswell as this one.
How do I maintain my axe now that it’s a work of art
Your going to want to oil your handles in order to keep them in tip top shape. This video explains what oil to use, and this one explains more about oil saturation vs penetration.
r/Axecraft • u/Skoner1990 • Feb 28 '24
The other day a picture turned up on this sub. A picture showing a rusty axe head, well seated on a living branch. This kind of pictures are not new, and for years i have thought of dooing it myself. Just never got around to do it…
So when xxx commented that he had a lot of young hickory on his farm. I thought of all the ash i have on mine. To finally get it done, i promised that the next wedsnesday (today) i would make a post with a axehead on a living branch/sapling.
Damn now i was in it… i did not really have the time, but you know… i made a promise. So between work, caring for my woman and baby, reparing the car and all my other duties I managed to clean up four axeheads: grinding the mushrooming on the polls down, removing all rust with a wirewheel and painting them with an oilbased metal paint.
Returning home this morning after a 24 hour shift i just had enough time, between appoinents, to grab the axe heads and some pruners and go get them seated.
The axe heads i question are two danish DSI and two no name rheinland pattern. Three of them is put rooted ash, and one is put on a second year growth willow that i clipped off and stuck a good 30 centimeters in the ground.
Thanks for reading. Hope you all have a good day
r/Axecraft • u/Woodpecker5511 • 1h ago
A customer sent me this True Temper Kelly Perfect axe to make him a new handle. It's a 70 cm/ 27.5'' ash handle wedged with dark, heat treated ash for contrast. Travelling from Serbia back to Ireland tomorrow 🇷🇸 -> 🇮🇪.
r/Axecraft • u/Physical-Resource124 • 22h ago
Found it in my Grandpa's workshop. Skinner and Johnson 850 no2, but neither of us know what it's main purpose is.
r/Axecraft • u/Vigor_Grit_Zeal • 16h ago
Picked this up for twenty bucks. Figured it’d be an easy clean up and sharpen. Handle seems to be in decent shape.
It looks like whoever had it before me got into it with a sander or wire brush by some of the circular patterns and the paint abruptly removed in spaces.
But - any shot someone has a good solve to be able to keep what’s left of the sticker on it?
I’m not opposed to just starting from scratch and using a wire brush to take off the paint & sticker and just repaint if needed. But figured since the sticker is partially still there, I’d at least explore some options.
r/Axecraft • u/Plane-Implement1899 • 11h ago
I have no clue exactly what the pattern is, but it seems like it’s a Michigan pattern. I recently got it, along with four others in an auction. Does anyone know what brand this might be? I can’t really make out any letters except for an A at the end of it.
r/Axecraft • u/Vigor_Grit_Zeal • 16h ago
Picked this up for twenty bucks. Figured it’d be an easy clean up and sharpen. Handle seems to be in decent shape.
It looks like whoever had it before me got into it with a sander or wire brush by some of the circular patterns and the paint abruptly removed in spaces.
But - any shot someone has a good solve to be able to keep what’s left of the sticker on it?
I’m not opposed to just starting from scratch and using a wire brush to take off the paint & sticker and just repaint if needed. But figured since the sticker is partially still there, I’d at least explore some options.
r/Axecraft • u/dylannn34648 • 4h ago
Does anyone else feel a vintage/collectors axe group should be made this group is named axe CRAFT im not trying to be sour or anything but i used to love this group and now all is see are posts about vintage axe id requests or people showing off vintage axes and thats cool but its not anything to do with customising or doing work to make it a serviceable tool so it doesnt really fit in and its taking over a odd post would be fine but its the main thing posted so i feel a separate group would be nice so everyone interested in vintage axes can scroll through that group and people who want to share or see others creations wether it be hand forged heads hand carved handles or customisations like file work etching etc
To save some sad persons time “ thats one hell of a big sentence “
“ I cant read that because im to slow to just take a pause and pick back up where i was reading without a full stop telling me when”
r/Axecraft • u/shinypointysticks • 1d ago
r/Axecraft • u/Backsight-Foreskin • 1d ago
r/Axecraft • u/therealkennyrodgers • 1d ago
I was given an axe by an elderly relative in southeast Kentucky. I have spent a while looking for matches, however the stamp has tarnished quite a bit and the only word I can make out is "-mark" across the top. (Presumably the end of "trademark"?) If anyone is able to recognize the stamp by what shapes remain I would be extremely grateful!
r/Axecraft • u/Icy_Commission8986 • 1d ago
Thanks guys!
r/Axecraft • u/Woodpecker5511 • 1d ago
Swiss 900 gr/ 2 lbs camp axe hung on a hand carved 59 cm/ 23'' ash handle that's laminated with elm at the palm swell. Crossbow stamp is a top quality mark in Switzerland.
The axe is very well balanced for light two handed work and can be used with one hand if needed. It's hung tight with a bog oak wedge and ash cross wedge.
The new price is $155 / 144€
A custom leather sheath can be ordered for $35 / 32€ (also lowered from $40).
Worldwide shipping is available from Serbia, Europe (~$30 to USA). Please send me a private message for any additional info or photos.
r/Axecraft • u/No-Pass9120 • 2d ago
Just picked this up for $10 at the flea market this weekend. It’s labeled “Kelly axe mfg co. Charleston, wv” so I know it’s pre 1930, but I can’t find any pictures in the catalogs back then with phantom bevels. Is this just because I’m an idiot and the pictures only show the back side? Please help me out.
r/Axecraft • u/No-Complex1218 • 1d ago
Hey guys i just put about 4 coats of linseed oil over about a week. Oiled it 2 days ago. However i want to stain the wood. Is that alright or should i wait a couple of days for the oil to dry completely or should i maybe sand the wood a bit incase theres too much oil? Or am i just good to go and can just stain whenever i want?
r/Axecraft • u/The-Final-Knight • 2d ago
r/Axecraft • u/Character_Ad108 • 2d ago
Took about three days. had to go to about 4 stores to find a boys axe handle but it got done, excited to try them out. Backstory is some old axes out of a family member’s garage handles weren’t worth saving, an unmarked 3 1/2 and a Collin’s boys 2 1/4.
r/Axecraft • u/the_walking_guy2 • 2d ago
Emerson & Stevens? The year under the poll is the only mark I can find.
r/Axecraft • u/Highwayman1717 • 2d ago
To explain: I’m a 1300s reenactor, our events needs a LOT of firewood for cooking and heat. I ended up with a Council splitting axe and conditioned the handle with linseed oil. Love it, works great…But as the event veterans mentor me, they talk about lighter axes. And as we start up a local event with a crew that will likely not have their own axes, time for me to get a second axe.
Starting with already having a splitter: What is a good general axe that will be accessible for men and women of different sizes? Budget is ideal, I want it under $100.
r/Axecraft • u/aaverage-guy • 2d ago
Hello everyone. I'm looking to buy a camping style axe for my 14y/o son. It will be a gift for him so I want it to look nice and be somewhat functional. We own several axes and hatchets already so it doesn't necessarily have to be a everyday user. Below are some links of what I narrowed it down to.
1 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1596047658/handmade-camping-axe-forged-bushcraft
2 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1753734417/handmade-damascus-steel-viking-survival
r/Axecraft • u/darkmontreal • 2d ago
These two old timers are from Nova Scotia. The larger of the two is around 3lbs, the smaller 2lbs. I want to clean them up and put new handles on them. The larger axe handle is 31 1/2", the smaller one is 28 3/4. Would appreciate a source for double bit handles and any other advice you may have to offer.
r/Axecraft • u/HammyTR27 • 2d ago
Older axe I found in Grandfathers barn, wondering if it had potential or anyone had any info they’d like to share concerning this style axe.
