Old Iron - Axe and Tool

If you're wondering where the missing peice of edge is, zoom in on the second picture! This is what happens when an extremely hard, and fairly thin axe meets a Pine Knot at full swing! I knew the axe had real hard steel when grinding the 17° bevels. But it wasn't till this week that I tested the bit with a scratch file set. It's in the mid to low 60s for Rockwell Hardness! Check out my latest video if you're interested in file testing for hardness.

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6 months ago | [YT] | 57

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

Almost a Big Log qualifier. Missed it by an inch!
28" New Hampshire patern from TD.
3.25 lb Jersey Wood Slasher with 20° chisel.
3 yr "seasoned" Ponderosa Pine, 19" Diameter.
The axe was a little out matched on this log.

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6 months ago | [YT] | 262

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

TD Handle Co - Golden Jubalee Build !!!
I just finished this 1930s Craftsman hatchet.
It's a nonsense build. 25° grind finished at 220 grit. Hung on the 14" Scout Handle from
TD Handle Co. Coated the entire axe in BLO. Next up, I'll hang a Jersey Wood Slasher on the 28" New Hampshire patern.

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6 months ago | [YT] | 186

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

My weekend project. 29" hand carved white oak handle, with black oak burl grip. 4.5# Plumb head, 17° flat banana grind. Should be a laser beam! Gotta make a mask before I take her into the woods for a test run.

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11 months ago | [YT] | 170

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

Massive Banana! My weekend project, and new chopper. 17 degree flat primary bevels, 30 degree micro bevel. Thinking about hanging it on the a Hoffman Wood Bullet. Peter McLaren would be proud!

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11 months ago | [YT] | 89

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

If you're looking for information on vintage axes, like dates, origin, and general history of manufacturers, I strongly suggest Michael S. Mcbrides books. No, I don't have a link, and im not being paid to promote his writings. There's too much misinformation floating around about vintage axes, and this guy has done the research and presented it very well in writing. That's why I'm posting this.

11 months ago | [YT] | 34

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

Being a YouTube channel that focuses on Axes, I feel responsible to show you guys what happens when SHTF with an Axe.
    On Friday December 6th, 2024, my 32" Double Bit glanced off a cedar tree and struck my foot. The axe cut through my leather boot, hit a Dorsal Metatarsal artery, fractured the 2nd metatarsal bone and caused alot of tissue damage. And even with all that, the ER doctors told me i got lucky.
   I don't remember exactly how it happened,  and will have to wait till I can walk, to go back to the tree for clues.
   I'm writing this post to bring awareness to the dangers of Axemanship, not for sympathy.  We'll make a video telling the whole story in a week or two. I don't plan on posting alot of axe safety content in the wake of this incident,  as this channels focus is on collecting and restoring.  I may be posting links to other axe channels like Kevin's Disobedience, Skill Cult, Brian 2 Bears, Ben Scott etc. that have videos focused on safety.
The more gory pics will be shown in the coming video. Stay safe.

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1 year ago | [YT] | 182

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

What do you watch this channel for? We're planning a bunch of new videos for this winter, and your input will help us decide what to focus on. Like always, if you have anything else to add, drop it in the comments. Thanks

1 year ago | [YT] | 25

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

As a kid, I was taught that handmade meant that the item was made with hand tools, not power tools. Since then (1990s), I've noticed more and more products claiming to be handmade that are clearly not , by my understanding, handmade. So I ask you the question, does an axe or hammer that's drop forged with machines like this qualify as handmade or hand forged?

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2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 27

Old Iron - Axe and Tool

Ive wanted to make a new template for Kent patern Hewing Hatchets for a while now. The standard tapered thin strait hammer style handles available today just don't do it for me. Although I like the looks of a curved hatchet handle on these, it's just not practical for an axe thats meant to be used as a hammer also. So the project had been on the back burner for a bit, until I came across this fine specimen a few days ago on ebay. The price was to high for me to purchase it just to trace and make a template. So Im thinking about trying to replicate this handle based on the picture alone. Is it just me, or is this handle really a bad ass vintage piece worth the time to replicate? What do you think?

2 years ago | [YT] | 95