Is this axe worth refurbishing

[Robbo]

I have a cheap hand axe I picked up in a bargain basement hardware store a couple years ago.

I dont have pics of it but it looks exactly like this one on *bay,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-1-5LB-HAN...ryZ39729QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The haft is loose and made from some pale white wood thats seems too soft to be ash or hickory.

The Head needs a bit of tiding up (I used to use it to chop kindling prior to my moving into town) and the Bit is thinner in section in the middle compared to the toe and heel of the head, I'm not sure if this is a flaw or by design.

It only cost me £6.99 (though I notice its cheaper on THAT auction site)so i'm not expecting much from it just wondering if its worth the hassle.

Andy

 

[Bernie Garland]

hi robbo
if you want a decent axe head go for one of these its what i use and is the biz imho

http://cgi.ebay.com/Craig-Barr-Hand...ryZ43325QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

hope it helps

bernie

 

[spamel]

Stop that Bernie! It's nearly Christmas!

 

[Bernie Garland]

he can also supply ready made damascus blades, ready for you all to handle up for a quality knife, i have used his billets quite a few times and highly recomend,his axeheads are second to none .
hope this helps
bernie

 

[Robbo]

Sorry but it hasn't helped :why: nice axe though

It has been added to my wish list :Wow: .

Thanks Spamel, I can't go spending the kids Christmas toys fund on myself even if it would stop the deluge of barbie, bratz, my little pony or whatever else little girls endlessly go on about at every commercial break on Cartoon Network. Why else would I be asking about a crappy £6 axe when I could have a Granny B instead for a little bit more

Andy

 

[Cairodel]

I have a cheap hand axe I picked up in a bargain basement hardware store a couple years ago.
I dont have pics of it but it looks exactly like this one on *bay,
The haft is loose and made from some pale white wood thats seems too soft to be ash or hickory.
The Head needs a bit of tiding up (I used to use it to chop kindling prior to my moving into town) and the Bit is thinner in section in the middle compared to the toe and heel of the head, I'm not sure if this is a flaw or by design.
It only cost me £6.99 (though I notice its cheaper on THAT auction site)so i'm not expecting much from it just wondering if its worth the hassle.
Andy

Re-handling it, cleaning it up/polishing it and making it useable is going to be worth it
at twice the price.... Just because YOU did it...!!!!

 

[Robbo]

My main concern is the head, is the change in the thinknes of the bit, would it be worth evening it out, with a LOT of fileing and sanding with wet n dry.

I know what your saying Cairodel

Andy

 

[British Red]

Robbo,

I did a tutorial on axe sharpening. If you look in "articles" on the main site, it should guide you through the process. There is another one somewhere on re-helving an axe (on the forum I think).

Shout if you can't find them and I'll post a link.

When you ahve re-profiled and re-helved your own axe, you will be ahead of 999 of 1,000 people alive - that alone is worth the £6.99 you have paid. If you want to nip down to Hampshire I'll teach you but I promise, follow the tutorials and you will think your knowledge is worth more than the axe cost you

Red

 

[Mirius]

I'll back Red on that. He helped me with reprofiling and re-helving my axe and it was an experience that I wouldn't have missed. Buy another axe if you wish, but really, have a go with this one and see what you can make of it. You'll need some tools and be willing to undertake a leaning curve, but you'll then be set to rework all of the axes you'll be buying in the future.

 

[Robbo]

Ok I'll have a go, I have a cheap set of metal working files, (round, half round, flat) belt sander, angle grinder, 1/2 sheet sander, bench grinder, what else will I need?

(I'm not going to attack it with all the above just letting you know what I have)

Whats the best way to sort out the profile, given that its thinner in the middle looking straight on at the bit.

Andy

 

[British Red]

Andy,

Have a look here first

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22814

All you really need is a mill file (b*stard file - flat profile), fine metal or diamond file or stone and a sanding pad and some wet and dry. Oh - and a good set of rigger gloves to keep the same number of pink things as when you started .

It can be done with a belt sander (IF you can work with it bench mounted and slacken the belt to give a quarter inch of play). However, when learning the technique I believe in learning by hand - its more forgiving.

Have a shufti at the thread and fire away on any questions

Red

 

[Robbo]

Expect LOTS of questions

V Good article on sharpening an axe BTW.

Andy

 

[British Red]

Thats what we are here for - go for it!

Red