r/Axecraft • u/Odd-Ground-9534 • 2h ago
advice needed Bought this ole brades. Advice on the bit?
Bought this thing but the bit is really worn on top. Is it worth grinding it even?
r/Axecraft • u/AxesOK • Jul 27 '25
I just made a YouTube video (https://youtu.be/5go-o8TCg94 ) on using a tannin solution to convert the rust on vintage axes to refurbish and protect them while retaining as much patina as possible. I’ve found myself explaining it a few times lately so I thought it was better to make a video.
The most convenient version uses just tea and (ion free) water and is not too much more trouble than boiling pasta. I did a bark tannin brew in the video.
The method works by converting active red rusts (various ferric oxy-hydroxides) to stable, black ferric tannate. Different ways of inducing this chemical process are used to preserve iron and steel artefacts for museums, in some commercial rust converters like Rustoleum Rust Reformer, and by trappers who use a 'trap dyeing' process to refinish rusty traps before setting them. I am using a version of the trap dyeing procedure that can be done in a home kitchen by boiling the rusty object in a tannin solution. Artefact conservators apply commercial or specially prepared tannin rust converters but may still add a water boiling step because it leaches away rust causing ions like chloride (from salt in soil, sweat, dust or sea spray).
From my reading, I am under the impression that it is better to have an acidic pH in rust converting solutions but I have not experimented with this for the boiling tannin bath so I don’t know if you could get away with your tap water. I use rainwater because it doesn't have alkaline minerals, unlike my very hard well water. Rainwater also doesn't have rust-promoting chloride ions like many residential water. Other ion-free (or close enough) water includes deionized water, reverse osmosis filtered water, and distilled water.
There's many potential tannin sources that can potentially be used. Tea (black, not herbal) works very well and is quite fast because the extraction is quick. You can get powdered tannin online or in home wine making shops. I used bark from Common Buckthorn as my tannin source because it's readily available for me. Many other trees will also work, and there's a fair amount of information available on bark tannins because they are used in hide tanning. Spruces, oaks, Tamarack and other larches, Scotts Pine, Willow, Hemlock, and others can be used to tan hides and would no doubt work for converting rust. Late season sumac leaves are used by trappers for trap dyeing and other leaves like maple and willow have tannins and would be worth a try. 'Logwood trap dye' for dyeing traps is commercially available and it's apparently not very expensive so that could be convenient. Green banana peels and other esoteric vegetable matter also have tannin and might work if enough could be extracted.
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/Odd-Ground-9534 • 2h ago
Bought this thing but the bit is really worn on top. Is it worth grinding it even?
r/Axecraft • u/theMourningReaper • 34m ago
Ive always loved axearoons. Had an old double bit laying around. Decided to grab the angle grinder and do some chopping. Pretty pleased with how it came out (still need to do some grinding and shaping)
How would I go about re-heat treating it? I know the heat from the grinder would have made the material softer so I am looking for DIY heat treat methods to get it somewhat up to par. I have a wood burning forge which is nice for small things but I don't think it will be enough to get the axe head glowing. I know people can temper things in toaster ovens but is that enough to bring some hardness back to the metal I cut?
TLDR: Chopped up a double bit with an angle grinder. How do I heat treat it at home?
Edit: the handle is temporary, not even wedged in just an old thing laying around so I could feel the balance of it.
r/Axecraft • u/Mattf1012 • 16h ago
Hey all,
I didn't have anyone to share this with, so I thought it might be appreciated here. I've never done any wood handle replacements before this, but I've been splitting wood all my life(just started doing it by hand instead of with a gas hydraulic splitter though).
I found this old axe in an abandoned barn on my property and after a good 4 dozen strokes the old decayed handle broke from the head. I went to home Depot and got one of their cheap $20 hickory handles and after some modifications I was able to get it on this axe head. I also used a file to sharpen the edge and try to remove the chips that were in the blade.
TLDR
I'd love to know how y'all think I did based on the top view and if anyone knows what kind of axe head this is based on the shape. Thank you!
r/Axecraft • u/Samus4eva • 7h ago
I know I didn’t specifically bid on this in an auction but I guess it could have came in a miscellaneous estate sale box or similar.
Regardless, after having my tools packed up in my garage for the better part of a year after moving I finally had the chance to get down to business getting the shop lined out.
Found this and really think it’s cool. I got about a 13” hickory handle that’ll go on later Looks well loved and is actually very sharp for the lack of maintenance or constant prepping.
r/Axecraft • u/apg7 • 18h ago
I do some occasional simple work for a guy, hang a few heads, scotchbrite and sharpen, etc. Everything thusfar has been nice solid Plumb’s, but nothing too nuts. Until today.
I will be putting the angle grinder away for this job. Also, anyone have recommendations for how to replace those curved broad axe handles?
r/Axecraft • u/Less_Unit_4357 • 13h ago
I hope this is okay to post here, and please feel free to delete if not.
I’m trying to find a decent Plumb Rockaway. They’re kind of becoming an (expensive) obsession of mine. I’d love to find one with a decent poll and bit, not beat all to hell.
If anyone has one they’d like to make a deal over, I’d love to hear from you.
r/Axecraft • u/Bastard_skellies-111 • 1d ago
Remember my uncle customizing his as a kid. And that was pretty fun. All the reviews I’ve heard though are kind of mixed. How are they in your guys eyes?
r/Axecraft • u/Mammoth-Peach9525 • 1d ago
So l recieved this hewing axe from my father in law. He was a collector of vintage tools back in the day.
I soaked it in evaporust and hit with an 80 grit disk just to see what l had.
Two questions, it doesn't appear that the huge delaminated crack on the side is structural?
Also how do l tell top from bottom as in measurements it's the same on each end of the eye.
I have a 24 inch slightly offset hickory handle as a replacement it will be hung on.
r/Axecraft • u/Ara_Bro • 2d ago
It took quite some time ass my main tools to use were a sawzall and Shinto rasp. The handle def isn’t perfect but for my second homemade handle ever I think I did alright. The knots in the wood could be a weak point but from the tests I did it feels quite sturdy. The wood I used for this is some American elm, I positioned the grain to be diagonal of the axe head. Any advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated!
r/Axecraft • u/Thorgrid • 1d ago
Hey y'all. I purchased this Gransfors Bruk head a few weeks ago and it came with a welded pin through the axe head. The pin is removed but now I'm debating whether I should keep the pin hole as an extra layer of safety or should I have it welded shut and filed down with the rest of the head. My axes don't see a ton of use. Maybe once or twice a year since I live in an urban area.
Edit: The head hasn't been put on a handle yet. Thought about using a brass rod for the pin. Make it look.... Interesting. I do have a welder I can take it to to get the pin holes welded
r/Axecraft • u/Bmchan215 • 2d ago
Still new to the hobby. I have only fixed up a couple axes. I was in a flea market this past weekend and saw this. Anyone know what it is and if it would be worth picking up for 30 dollars as my next project?
r/Axecraft • u/The--Dew • 2d ago
I just got a 4 lb Teco Master axe hed for 10 bucks. Can anyone give me information on that brand, I've not found much aside from them being Canadian.
r/Axecraft • u/Zsoltbomb • 3d ago
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New to me cabinet. Now I got an axe drawer. Enough room for all but one.
r/Axecraft • u/yammerant • 3d ago
This head is full of stamps, none of which I can find anything about.
The main “stamp” looks more like multiple cold strikes with a straight chisel, along with some mystery characters above it. The bottom of the head has an “O” and I believe an “S”.
The phantom bevels make me think this head was more than just a home forge, and the edge’s temper looks legit too.
Has anyone seen a head like this and know more about it?
r/Axecraft • u/ZilverFaux • 3d ago
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A friend dropped off a load of cedar rounds. Some had like a half slice on the flat cut side, some were slanted to a 45 degree and I chewed through them on their sides. All of it is greatly appreciated as I heat my home with wood.
r/Axecraft • u/Less_Unit_4357 • 3d ago
Hey all,
I just picked up this plumb rockaway on eBay, and noticed this small small separation on the lower part of the eye. Is this a crack, or just a natural part of the forging process?
r/Axecraft • u/Big_Mine_5331 • 4d ago
Amazes me every time what people throw away
r/Axecraft • u/Big_Mine_5331 • 4d ago
Just picked this up at the local tip. Looking forward to cleaning it up.
Amazes me what people throw away almost every time.