Axe Head cleaned up nicely

[ModernMiner]

Well, after a bit of electrolysis and wire brushing the old axe head cleaned up nice enough to display I think.
Thanks again to Mojjax , Buckleboy, and Sentinel for your help.
-MM-

 

[history hunter]

Very nice find!! I found one just like it many years ago. HH

 

[ModernMiner]

That axe head is very nice. Put a handle in that baby and hang it on the cabin/barn/garage wall. Or frame it with a few other relics. I'm not kidding, around here a fine axe with handle in a frame would sell for a few hundred dollars. Nice work!

MM,
You did a great job cleaning that up, very nice. After seeing the photo in the book, I think it would look great with a handle on it. Happy New Year and good luck in '08.
HH
Glenn

Good job on the cleanup. Looks great for display or put a handle in it and cut some wood!

Thanks everyone. I had wondered about putting a handle on it, and if it would be the right thing to do, since the handle wouldn't be authentic from that time. I think you're right though. It would look better displayed with a handle rather than just the head itself.
Now, WHERE DO I GET A HANDLE AT? Any ideas? Does Home Depot sell handles?
Thanks,
MM

 

[Jonathan65]

MM,

While you may be able to find a new replacement handle to fit your axe/hatchet head, do not overlook the possibilities from old hand tool finds at flea markets, auctions, garage and estate sales. You just may find a handle from that era to match the shape and contour of the original pictured above.

Jonathan

 

[ModernMiner]

MM,

While you may be able to find a new replacement handle to fit your axe/hatchet head, do not overlook the possibilities from old hand tool finds at flea markets, auctions, garage and estate sales. You just may find a handle from that era to match the shape and contour of the original pictured above.

Jonathan

Great idea Jonathan. Even a used wheather handle would probably be a better look. We have a great flea market here every w/end. I'll bring the axe head with me when I go out there.
Thanks,
MM

 

[Jonathan65]

MM,

Another thought had occurred to me that may enhance the display "authenticity" and look of your cleaned up axe head with an aged handle on it. I have two of these that I found years ago fully intact and near original with little use at a garage sale. The heads were black in color.

You can dye this head black. Now that you have it all buffed to clean metal, let it age outside long enough to get a thin coat of rust on it. Then, boil up some hemlock bark, sumac berries, black walnut hulls or oak leaves - either one produces a near black, natural dye. Soak the head in that brew after it boils and turns black for a day or two.

The next time that you may want to remove rust from an object, a simple method is to soak it in vinegar for a few days. Here is an example of what it is capable of with a before and after of a very rusty trap type:

Just a couple of extra thoughts.

Jonathan

 

[ModernMiner]

Holy cow, vinegar did that?!!! I'm going to stop eating salads now. I'm assuming that was white vinegar?
That is amazing. I'll give that a try. Thanks for the great tips.
-MM-

 

[Jonathan65]

Yes, white vinegar. The brown works equally as well - they both are 5% acidic. If the rusted object is on the "delicate" side, dilute the vinegar 50:50 with water.

A mild solution of muriatic acid works equally as well and is quicker, but it is dangerous to work with - a splash on the skin can cause a serious burn, and the fumes are very toxic. A little extra time using vinegar is the safest way to go unless you really know what you are doing.

Jonathan

 

[Mirage]

Cool stuff Doug. Thanks for the info on the axe head. I learned something new - axe head dates.
Always neat to find stuff that you can date.

Bob

 

[ModernMiner]

Cool stuff Doug. Thanks for the info on the axe head. I learned something new - axe head dates.
Always neat to find stuff that you can date.

Bob

Thanks Bob.
I'll be down in the spring with this baby, and clear out an area at the Berg for you guys.
Have a great year Buddy.
-Doug-