Howdy folks!
Got my Trail Hawk today I picked that one as a matter of heads or tails, after I couldn't decide between it and the Frontier (IIRC).
Firstly, the horrible paint was removed! Nasty stuff, but it wasn't too hard to sand off. Would be much easier with a flap wheel. After that, I used a method for browning detailed here:
http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/reply/114978/t/Re-axes.html
In post 17. The overview:
Take 4 parts hydrogen peroxide, saturate with salt (dissolve salt in it til it wont take any more) and add 1 part vinegar. Use in spray bottle on degreased and warmed axe head - it creates this wonderful, thick, frothy foam and after 10 or 20 seconds,rinse off to have instant rust Repeat as necessary! This does create a very fine surface rust, not bubbly cracky rust - removing the rust with a wire brush will leave a dark patina, or you can leave it on and boil in water and the rust will turn a blue-black. Also called rust blueing! I, however, stopped at the rusting, neutralised with bicarb, and gave it a wipe with linseed-soaked wire brush, leaving a dark brown finish - lovely if I do say so m'self
Safety!
Hydrogen peroxide is very dangerous! Do not mix with ANY oils or anything at all flammable - in fact, mix with NOTHING that you have not been told is safe by a trusted source. Hydrogen peroxide is a toxic irritant, it will bleach things and if mixed with the wrong thing, can combust. Hydrogen peroxide will also decompose, giving off Oxygen and turning itself into water - thebuildup of oxygen can cause the container it is stored in to explode, and shower the surroundings in a mix of watery hydrogen peroxide. I stored the small remainder I had wrapped in a carrier bag in the cabinet under the sink, so if it DOES explode, it hopefully won't harm anyone and the cat won't be able to lap it up. And for the record,I used 35% hydrogen peroxide. Ventilate and wear a mask too, it didn't do my sore throat any favours!
Now that's over, pics!
Just after the rusting.
Closeup...
After a bit of oil on the head, and after darkening the handle with a heatgun and oiling it! Oh and shortening it
Another closeup - I really love how this browning looks
To show the grind of the blade - I did thin it down a bit, and it came VERY blunt. No wonder you could hack it through a car door with no edge damage And the illusion of having a hair-on hide is shot now!
Carry! Excuse the belly! The baldric on the knife sheath attaches to a d-ring on the belt loop, which the axe fits into rather nicely! Total accident Will need to work on a rawhide mask..
The handle is TIGHT! I tried removing the grub screw and I was probably smacking the thing with a bit of wood for ten minutes to no avail. I'll probably have to drill it out if I want it out - which I do! I think I may just buy a few spare handles and keep them at different lengths according to how packable I need the axe to be.
Well, hope y'all like! Comments welcome!
Pete
PS: I bought from http://www.coldsteel-uk.com/ and I've gotta say, good service. They sent me a txt when it had been shipped, with an ETA, which I've never had from any other company - so nice going! No affilliation, just a happy camper!
Got my Trail Hawk today I picked that one as a matter of heads or tails, after I couldn't decide between it and the Frontier (IIRC).
Firstly, the horrible paint was removed! Nasty stuff, but it wasn't too hard to sand off. Would be much easier with a flap wheel. After that, I used a method for browning detailed here:
http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/reply/114978/t/Re-axes.html
In post 17. The overview:
Take 4 parts hydrogen peroxide, saturate with salt (dissolve salt in it til it wont take any more) and add 1 part vinegar. Use in spray bottle on degreased and warmed axe head - it creates this wonderful, thick, frothy foam and after 10 or 20 seconds,rinse off to have instant rust Repeat as necessary! This does create a very fine surface rust, not bubbly cracky rust - removing the rust with a wire brush will leave a dark patina, or you can leave it on and boil in water and the rust will turn a blue-black. Also called rust blueing! I, however, stopped at the rusting, neutralised with bicarb, and gave it a wipe with linseed-soaked wire brush, leaving a dark brown finish - lovely if I do say so m'self
Safety!
Hydrogen peroxide is very dangerous! Do not mix with ANY oils or anything at all flammable - in fact, mix with NOTHING that you have not been told is safe by a trusted source. Hydrogen peroxide is a toxic irritant, it will bleach things and if mixed with the wrong thing, can combust. Hydrogen peroxide will also decompose, giving off Oxygen and turning itself into water - thebuildup of oxygen can cause the container it is stored in to explode, and shower the surroundings in a mix of watery hydrogen peroxide. I stored the small remainder I had wrapped in a carrier bag in the cabinet under the sink, so if it DOES explode, it hopefully won't harm anyone and the cat won't be able to lap it up. And for the record,I used 35% hydrogen peroxide. Ventilate and wear a mask too, it didn't do my sore throat any favours!
Now that's over, pics!
Just after the rusting.
Closeup...
After a bit of oil on the head, and after darkening the handle with a heatgun and oiling it! Oh and shortening it
Another closeup - I really love how this browning looks
To show the grind of the blade - I did thin it down a bit, and it came VERY blunt. No wonder you could hack it through a car door with no edge damage And the illusion of having a hair-on hide is shot now!
Carry! Excuse the belly! The baldric on the knife sheath attaches to a d-ring on the belt loop, which the axe fits into rather nicely! Total accident Will need to work on a rawhide mask..
The handle is TIGHT! I tried removing the grub screw and I was probably smacking the thing with a bit of wood for ten minutes to no avail. I'll probably have to drill it out if I want it out - which I do! I think I may just buy a few spare handles and keep them at different lengths according to how packable I need the axe to be.
Well, hope y'all like! Comments welcome!
Pete
PS: I bought from http://www.coldsteel-uk.com/ and I've gotta say, good service. They sent me a txt when it had been shipped, with an ETA, which I've never had from any other company - so nice going! No affilliation, just a happy camper!