Anyone Collect Axes & Hatchets?

[GSPTOPDOG]

Those are some good finds, buddy. You’ll have them cleaned up and sharpened in no time.

Found this little handforged hawk at the swap meet this weekend. The seller was firm on his price, wouldn’t budge a dollar. So I left it with him for about an hour, then came back and bought it.

Some previous owner had painted some goofy bright stripes on the haft, and tied some fake leather lacing around it. Those came off quickly, and it’s less self conscious now.

Head is 13-1/2 oz, on a 15” haft. Feels good to swing it. I might try making a new haft with a little flare butt.

Parker

I like it that's nice! I am a sucker for tomahawks, I have a little range for throwing in the backyard... hollow core doors work pretty well...

[GSPTOPDOG]

I am working on the clean-up a little bit at a time...

[catspa]

Oh yeah, that’ll turn out good.

Parker

[GSPTOPDOG]

Those are some good finds, buddy. You’ll have them cleaned up and sharpened in no time.

Found this little handforged hawk at the swap meet this weekend.
Parker

I love finding new tomahawks and sometimes throwing them... but I HATE missing... and the hawk hitting the rocky ground behind the target... ... .....

[catspa]

I’m sure it’s a personality flaw, but I never throw mine. Even on a grassy slope, a rock might be hiding just beneath the surface.

That one is much too pretty to throw it towards any rocks. Mine are more primitive, but still more useful in my hand than in the air.

Funny thing, until I forged my first one, I didn’t really appreciate them. Now, I can’t let one go by without appreciating it.

Parker

[TripleF]

I am working on the clean-up a little bit at a time...

Do you ever use a vinegar bath to remove rust?

[GSPTOPDOG]

Scott, I have used gallons and gallons of vinegar over the years (unfortunately it has gone up around 30%-40% in cost around here since Covid-Biden hit). Here is some vinegar tub photos and the maul head after a bath. I skim as much rust scum out of the bath (see pictures) and then at some point pour it all through a homemade filter to try and keep reusing the vinegar as long as possible. After being used over and over again it loses it's strength, but I can keep it going by filtering a lot longer than not filtering it. How about you?

[GSPTOPDOG]

Those are some good finds, buddy. You’ll have them cleaned up and sharpened in no time.

Found this little hand forged hawk at the swap meet this weekend.

Right after I saw your post, I found these two ax heads out in town, both possibly could be turned into hawks, but the one with the hammer end for a poll is a little too thick and heavy, while the one with the flat poll is lighter and better suited to make into a tomahawk.

[Open Range-19]

A couple trustworthy friends. The boy’s ax has had a few handles. It came to me hard used about 40 years ago from a friend who was 93 back then. It earned it’s keep in Montana cleaning up bull pines and brush piles. The Norlund hatchet I purchased brand new. It has been a favored companion of camping trips, hunts and traplines spanning four decades as well.

[GSPTOPDOG]

A couple trustworthy friends.

Very nice! Is there a maker's mark on the boy’s ax? I am a big fan of Norlund axes. I have had several over the years. Great photos!

[Open Range-19]

Illegible to me.

[Open Range-19]

Here’s a couple photos:

[Open Range-19]

Other side, here:

[catspa]

Right after I saw your post, I found these two ax heads out in town, both possibly could be turned into hawks, but the one with the hammer end for a poll is a little too thick and heavy, while the one with the flat poll is lighter and better suited to make into a tomahawk.

I’ve ground a hollow around those octagon heads with a radiused grinding wheel, turned out okay. In fact I’ve got one in progress right now. Usually lightens them by almost a ounce, depending how deep you grind.

Nice finds.

Parker

[GSPTOPDOG]

I’ve ground a hollow around those octagon heads with a radiused grinding wheel, turned out okay. In fact I’ve got one in progress right now. Usually lightens them by almost a ounce, depending how deep you grind.

Interesting! ... ... Hope to see photos of the hollow around those octagon heads ...

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here’s a couple photos:

... the stories it could tell...

[catspa]

I’ll post this one up when I finish it. It’s tedious, stopping to dress the radius back onto the wheel every 20 minutes or so of grinding. Next time I’ll choose a harder bond wheel.

Parker

[TripleF]

I usually pick up vinegar at estate sales....for like $1.
But yeah, that's what I use.

[GSPTOPDOG]

I usually pick up vinegar at estate sales....for like $1.
But yeah, that's what I use.

Right now, in the summer heat it works great... as long as the vinegar is somewhat clean or new. ...picking up vinegar at estate sales is a great idea. My buddy just bought the leftovers of an estate sale... the people are moving to Hawaii, so he bought everything left in and out of the house... about 10 trailer loads of stuff for $500. I'll check with him, there has to be some vinegar, because he said he got all the canned food and cleaning stuff in the kitchen...

[TripleF]

Check this beast.....stamp reads: INDIA

[GSPTOPDOG]

Check this beast.....stamp reads: INDIA

That's a Big'en!!! Nice!

[catspa]

Musta been made by Indians.

Parker

[GSPTOPDOG]

Musta been made by Indians.

Parker

I think by these kind of Indians... not the Elizabeth Warren kind ... ....

[GSPTOPDOG]

From the latest haul...

Looks like an older Collins and Craftsman and a couple from Sweden as some of the sweeter picks.

[GSPTOPDOG]

And working on the clean-up and staining/painting the handles.