Sneak Peak

Hey Folks, Here's a sneak peak at a new toy on the way :) 

Rocky Mountains - Pics

Greetings Folks,  I recently did a trip with the family to the Rocky Mountains.  Nothing bushcrafty but got some great pics and thought I would share some for you. 

Enjoy

Isabel had to get out and kick around in the snow for a bit.

Here are some elk in Estes Park

It is truly beautiful scenery.  Some hardcore woods time is the only thing that would have made it better.  Gives me something to come to though.  I'm already planning the trip in my head.


Thanks for looking

Well I was probably due for some stitches

Well I had a "Dumbass" moment last night with a knife and cut into the side of my finger to the bone.  Right on the main joint too,  the cut wasn't long but pretty deep.  A few stitches is all it needed and it barely missed my artery the doc said.  Not my first time getting stitches but it is the first time I cut myself bad enough to need stitches from my "toys".  I almost went 20 years of using sharp tools so that' pretty good I think. 

Well anywho...just thought I'd share as a reminder about not being careless.  Wear gloves, take the time to do it right, don't rush, be smart, basically do all the things I didn't do...

be safe and take care 

Bushcraft Double Bit - Finished

update: forgot to mention that with the help of a forum member we determined this is a Mann Edge Tool Company axe.  Pretty cool.  They made some great steel.  

Okay here's what I've been up to today.  Finished the other side.  When finishing this side I cam across the weight mark of this head and it's 3.5lb.  Bit to bit is 9.25in. I don't know if this a big cruiser or small full size.  But I like the weight, as my reason for wanting a smaller double was due to my love of my full size plumb.  Also 3.5lb head but is 10.5in across.  This axe should do a lot of work for me in the bush and as a canoe pack axe. 

fitting the haft to the head.  This always takes a little bit when you don't use powertools.  

Finally we have a usable axe. 

got a nice tight fit with the wedges.

A couple small gaps on the bottom but nothing that will effect performance.  This head is set as tight as it would get on the shoulder.

Well all in all I'm very pleased with this axe.  I can't wait to try it out.  I'll probably thin the profile just a little on the chopping side and give both edges a final sharpening but this is pretty much the axe.  There's a great satisfaction in bringing back an old made in U.S.A. tool.  This will be a joy to use and is far superior to anything you could buy at a hardware store today.  If you haven't tried restoring an old axe I suggest you give it a try.  It's a very rewarding process and result.

thanks for looking

Buschcraft Double Bit restore in process

I have been longing to get a cruiser axe for awhile now and finally got a hold of one the other day.  I will show some of the things I do when restoring an old axe.  Here's what I started with

Well first thing was removing the old haft from the eye.   Next when it comes to rust removal I like to use sandpaper or sandblocks and water.  Vinegar is a great way to remove rust as well but using sandpaper leaves a dark rustic patina on the head and I think it lets the old head keep some of the character it has gathered over the decades.  Here we are getting going on the cleanup

starting to come a long

after I get most of the rust off I will spray the head good in WD-40 and use a bristle brush and go over it pretty good.  This turns the dark spots jet black and the metal a nice silver look.  I'll show more on this step later.  This next pic is just after the sandblock and water treatment.

still need to do the backside

I acquired this axe thinking it was just a vintage no name, but a makers mark did appear.  I can't make out the top part at all.  The bottom part I think says Lewistown, PA USA.  I know there were a few companies that made axes there so no doubt it's some good ol American steel.

Stay tuned for updates