Wait a minute, you move FROM Washington to Kalifornia! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

some ash and hickory handles arrived in mail today. they need a bit of reshaping and refinishing, but i'm really going to enjoy the outcome.

old tools are great, especially axes and hatchets. post up some pics if you got em!

lost an auction for a gorgeous kelly works 4 pound jersey head today. so anger <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Haha. You better believe it! Born and raised in CA so it's really where my heart is. Grew up in the gold country. Backyard was the forest. Able to shoot whenever, romp through the woods. There are lot's of images associated with CA and those usually aren't them.

I don't know what brand the double bit is. I just has a BW marked on it but it's not a stamp. They're individual punch marks I guess you could say. The other (I checked today) is a 7 1/2# collins red seal. I may be able to post pictures on spring break.

collins are superb, so i hear. don't own one yet, but i'd love a collins cruiser double bit.

not sure about the punch marks, maybe the owner's mark or company/dept they belonged to at one time.

collins cruisers

so how do you restore your ax heads? I was just thinking nitro solvent and steel wool but I'm not sure what's best.

it depends. if its a newer head i might just steel wool or sandpaper it.

if its an antique i'll try electrolysis restoration. which i tried for the first time recently and failed to get a reaction. haven't had a chance to troubleshoot the setup, but i will give it another shot real soon.

it's much better for axes that you really care about as it doesn't remove material like solvents and abrading.

I have a question, Not ever owning an ax and wanting to, What brand would be a good starter? I dont want to spend a whole lot, Ive seen a few Collins at my
local hardware store.

collins is historically a top brand, but i believe they manufacture out of mexico these days. council tool makes nice american made axes, and barco tools has taken over the old kelly works brand.

i would probably go with council, depending on what capacity you would like to use it in. size being the main factor, whether you want a pack axe or something for the homestead.

holy ****, ebay is infuriating.

lost 6 auctions and had a best offer turned down <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />