How To Restore A Winchester Axe

[LWW]

Last year I needed to dig up a pine tree stump in my yard and needed to chop some of the roots surrounding it. I didn't want to use anything nice to do the job so I borrowed the worst looking tool I could find. My dad had an old rusty axe complete with a wobbly head and dried out, crooked handle. Yes, this would be the perfect thing for chopping in the dirt.

Fast forward to this year. I've watched some axe videos on YouTube and browsed various websites and learned old axes are actually better than the new stuff at the big box stores and are collectible. I still had the axe so I took a closer look to see what it was. Looking real hard through the rust and dirt I was able to make out it's a Winchester. I finally started to clean it up today with some water and a wire brush and the maker's mark really popped. It even looks like the letters are color filled with orange paint (not sure if that's original or not). The rest of the axe has taken a little abuse over the years but it's not in bad condition. There are some hammer marks where it's been pounded on and off handles and has just a little mushrooming on the pol. I have it soaking in vinegar now but can you guys tell me what my next step should be? It seems like a straightforward process but I'm a noob at old axes and if there is a proper way to restore them.

 

[evildeadedd]

First thing, everyone wants pics. That will help with telling you what you Can do to repair it. Is it really rusty? If so a bath in white vinegar will clear that up. Any mushroomed edges can be cleaned up carefully with a file or grinder, but be sure the Metal doesn't get hot at all while grinding because you can ruin temper in metal. I am sure some on the pros will be along soon to give better advice, I am just a noob myself.

 

[LWW]

Ahh, yes pictures are worth a thousand words. Here are some I took before the vinegar bath. I guess I don't want to be too aggressive in the restoration if its not advisable. Things like, how much of the hammer marks should be filed off or peened straight, should I sand all the scratches out, give it a polish or leave a patina?

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[Agent_H]

That is a big question.

1. What tools do you have available to clean the head?
For example: a vice, angle grinder, power drill, wire brushes, etc?

2. What work does it need? Maybe ask yourself if you want to have the patina/worn vintage look or if you have the desire, time, and tools to make it highly polished. Personally, I like my axes as close to the condition in which I find them. Metal hand files, time, and a little planning as to material removal can be helpful.

3. How sharp can you make it? Cleaning up a head and sharpening it are kind of two different skill sets.
I'm not a master at either but I've found if I wrap the poll in a layer of thin cardboard held in place with basic blue painters tape, it keeps me from unnecessary scratches on the face and poll when applying more on a file or working it at a low angle. The best wrapping is about the thickness of a six-pack carrier...


4. Is the handle usable?
If so, do you have a rasp or other implement to fit the head and do repair/wood shaping if necessary?

5. Have you fit a tool head before? Fitting a head and wedging are kind of like cleaning the head up and sharpening it: You are working on essentially the same part of the axe but it takes a different approach to do right.

Please note that I'm not giving you any specific advice on what to do to/with your Winchester axe or what it should look like.

Just sharing how I currently think and the questions I ask myself.

Here is a post or two that might be helpful:

Patina or not
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1258565-Patina-or-no-patina?highlight=First+rehang

Hanging
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...tive-Criticism-Needed!?highlight=First+rehang

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1235046-First-rehang-help?highlight=First+rehang

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uestion-Plumb-axe-head?highlight=First+rehang

What did you rehang today?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1064461-What-did-you-rehang-today
Great thread- a long read but it is full of information, pictures for examples, and unique issues/advice for solving them.

Reprofiling/sharpening
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Boys-axe-edge-profile?highlight=Axe+reprofile

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1251270-Axe-How-sharp?highlight=Axe+reprofile

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ntage-Axe-Reprofiling?highlight=Axe+reprofile

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...oration-(2lb-Dayton-)?highlight=Axe+reprofile

Good threads
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1192602-SC-T100-s-Axe-Projects-(Pic-Heavy)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1233816-COTS-Project-Thread

These all were found searching key terms here at the forum. There are too many to mention in one post that provide good information.

Look forward to seeing your axe returned to glory.

*i just saw your pictures- that is a great looking axe head!

 

[evildeadedd]

Polish vs patena is personal preference as far as I know, what look do you prefer? personally, I'd you plan on using it I would leave a good patena on it, I think it holds up better than high polish, but that's me. It is not in bad shape at all to my untrained eye. The mushroomed edges I would file down gently. If that is the worst looking tool you could find you are in good shape. when I read that I was expecting a gouged blade and rolled metal everywhere, that thing doesn't look bad at all. I personally wouldn't even go a full 24 hours in vinegar with it, but that's just me. Once again sweet looking axe, congrats on a nice tresure.

 

[LWW]

I have the tools to do pretty much any kind of finish (woodworking tools, files, grinder, bead blaster, sander, wire wheel, buffing wheel, etc). If it's really really just personal preference, I might go for a polish and even redo the lettering with some new paint. Just didn't want to screw up any collectible value by going too far. As far as the handle goes, it's useless. There is a sideways curve in it so I picked up a new one to use. Hanging and sharpening don't seem like they would be too bad either. I can even get some leather working tools from my dad to make a sheeth once it's done. I like doing projects that bring old things back to life and this one sounds like fun.

 

[evildeadedd]

Only thing you want to be sure of while working on it is you don't over heat the blade while working it. And grinding or buffing you do make sure the blade doesn't get hot and ruin the temper in the steel. Other than that as far as I know you are good to go.

 

[Agent_H]

I can even get some leather working tools from my dad to make a sheeth once it's done. I like doing projects that bring old things back to life and this one sounds like fun.

I bet this one ends up great! Take pics along the way for entertainment (yours and ours lol).:thumbup: