I have a "Black Head"!

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
923
Hi all,

Sorry no pixs. Yesterday while searching Yard Sales/Flea Markets for Knives and Axes, I found a mid-size Axe Head in good physical condition. The weird thing about this (Snow & Nealley Co.) is the Axe Head is Black. Now, it does not appear to be painted on per se. It is more like it's coated with something else as it has a very smooth and slippery feel. I can tell this (hopefully vintage) S&N head was buffed out (as the S&N Co. logo was almost unable to be seen) and then coated. Might some Gun Blue give this kind of finish ?
At any rate, I tried to soak the Head in Vinegar and could tell in short order that this process would do very little if anything to remove the Black coating. What might the good folk here a BF suggest to remove this stuff
(short of using a grinder/wire brush which I don't own). Paint remover ? I don't care for "Black Heads".

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
picture?

wire wheel on an angle grinder. Good excuse to buy one. honestly it's the best way to remove any coating IMO.

some of the snow & nealley's had very faint logos.
 
I have a S&N with a very dark green coating. I haven't hung it yet. It looks brand new and I think it's original paint from the factory. I'm leaving it as it is but I think it would come off with a wire wheel on a grinder.
 
Without knowing what it is is difficult to offer any meaningful suggestions. Maybe it's just the axes natural patina. If so then vinegar will definitely remove it. But vinegar takes time. It's not a 'short order' process at all. You have to give it time to work, like 24 to 48 hours.

But if ti's a coating like a paint or powder coat you'll need another approach. If the surface sound then you can just paint over it. Or you can strip it with chemicals. Or you can strip it with a wire wheel.
 
Paint stripper.
tongue.gif
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the suggestions. I seriously think this Axe head was some sort of weird experiment! It kind of reminds me of the (I forget the name/process) some guys have done to their 1911 .45ACP as it just doesn't seem like normal paint. It almost has a "baked on" kind of vibe as it is really weird stuff, dark Black and slippery smooth kind of feel. At any rate, I just cleaned the Axe head and oiled. I may later try some Paint stripper to see if that has any results. If not, I may just have go with the BLACK (NIGHT OPS) Axe! Thanks all.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
HARDBALL said:
Hi guys,

Thanks for the suggestions. I seriously think this Axe head was some sort of weird experiment! It kind of reminds me of the (I forget the name/process) some guys have done to their 1911 .45ACP as it just doesn't seem like normal paint. It almost has a "baked on" kind of vibe as it is really weird stuff, dark Black and slippery smooth kind of feel. At any rate, I just cleaned the Axe head and oiled. I may later try some Paint stripper to see if that has any results. If not, I may just have go with the BLACK (NIGHT OPS) Axe! Thanks all.

Regards,
HARDBALL
Click to expand...

Birchwood Casey makes a rust and blue remover.
If it is paint a soak in mineral spirits(paint thinner) or lacquer thinner would take care of it.
 
Hi Gary and Tal,

Thank you for the recommendation on the Birchwood Casey Blue remover. I will first try the "least expensive" root (i.e. paint thinner) and if it doesn't work, I'll try the BC. Tal, yea, something along those lines, it has that kind of look/feel.
I'll keep ya'll posted. Thanks.

HARDBALL
 
Most darkened and black heads I've come across have been the natural oil patina that develops over years of care for the axe. To me it's a good sign that someone knew how to take care of the axe, and oiled it regularly. Vinegar will usually remove it overnight. A wire wheel will too, both leave a different surface finish.

I have seen some later military axes that have had a black creosote like substance on them. The military would apply it to the entire axe, handle and all. That stuff was tougher to remove. I actually decided to leave it on since I figured it was pretty toxic and the head wasn't anything special anyway (Flint Edge 4# dayton) I sent one to Operator75 and he took it all down to the bare wood and steel, but he said it wasn't a fun process. Said it stunk pretty bad.
 
Hi Nick,

I'm far from an expert on Axes, not even close. However, in the last month I've collected about fifteen Axes/Hatchets (and several knives) that I have cleaned up. This finish on this "Snow & Nealley" Axe I'm pretty sure is not natural patina. I THINK the Axe may have been at one time "buffed out" and then coated with ? (God knows what). I'll try "paint remover" first and see what (if anything) happens.

HARDBALL
 
Hi KK,

Ummmm, that might be a real possibility! The coating has a very unique look/feel/smoothness that I haven't seen on my other Axes. Whatever this coating is, it's kind of cool (in a BLACK way) but, I really would like to see this bad boy in it's natural state. I'm a bit OCD like when it comes to cleaning & detailing. I don't know what it is that drives me to take these (mostly) rusty Axes and clean em up but, I enjoy making them look as new as I can by hand (without power tools). In only about four or so weeks, I'm working on my (I think) number fifteen (purchased) Axe/Hatchet as well as several knives. Oooh, I've got it bad. The wife's not pleased.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
HARDBALL said:
Hi KK,

Ummmm, that might be a real possibility! The coating has a very unique look/feel/smoothness that I haven't seen on my other Axes. Whatever this coating is, it's kind of cool (in a BLACK way) but, I really would like to see this bad boy in it's natural state. I'm a bit OCD like when it comes to cleaning & detailing. I don't know what it is that drives me to take these (mostly) rusty Axes and clean em up but, I enjoy making them look as new as I can by hand (without power tools). In only about four or so weeks, I'm working on my (I think) number fifteen (purchased) Axe/Hatchet as well as several knives. Oooh, I've got it bad. The wife's not pleased.

Regards,
HARDBALL
Click to expand...

Have you showed the knifes on the forum? I would be interested in seeing them.
 
HARDBALL said:
In only about four or so weeks, I'm working on my (I think) number fifteen (purchased) Axe/Hatchet as well as several knives. Oooh, I've got it bad. The wife's not pleased.
Click to expand...

Please the wife. Pick up a few fine vintage kitchen knives and give them a razor edge. Next time she cuts a tomato you'll be off the hook. But hey, don't forget to tell her that it's sharp. That way it's her fault when she cuts herself.
 
Hi KK and Peg,

King, I have not shown pictures of anything I've purchased as (I've stated in so many other threads) my Computer is very old and I have nothing but problems, especially with anything to do with Cameras/Photos. I really need to replace this Computer instead of buying more Edged toys as it's driving me completely nuts! I can't even compose a letter in my Hotmail due to freeze up! Arrrrrrr! King, I assure you that when I do replace this (ten or so year old) Computer, I will seek out the fastest/most fool proof/quickest/etc. Computer system best used for pictures/editing/music etc. and post a picture of EVERY single Axe/Hatchet/Knife/Machete/Meat Cleaver etc. I own. Anyway, most of the knives I found have recently found have been good (but inexpensive) knives. A couple of my favorites that I intend to keep are a BR & Co. Scandi Knife (Circa 1950's ? + or -) with a Bone handle and about a 3" blade. Very cool! I got the lil' B & R Co. in a swap. I even found (Flea market) a vintage Mora sheath (Leather with Metal) that once looked like a dried piece of meat when I bought it, but now, looks quite nice once treated with oil. My other new favorite knife is a vintage "UNIVERSAL" Hammer Forged Butcher's (type) knife. This forged knife is a bit over ten inches OAL with a six inch blade and has about a four inch wooden slabs on it's full tang handle. I like it a lot because it is almost a Nessmuk design/size right from the start.
It's very rustic looking! I plan on having a Leather sheath made for it in the future. I have swapped quite a few lil' pocket knives I've recently found (for a small profit) so that I may have enough pocket money to continue buying other antique Axes/Hatchets/Knives etc. Oooh, I recently found four really nice "three prong" Folks with pinned wood handles and Pewter inlays in awesome condition. I knew they were quie old and had to buy them as they were being sold waaay under their worth. I was happy to later discover that these Folks are circa Civil War period! Cool! I hope to one day set up a lil' Cabin/Camp here in the Woods of Maine and use some of these (and other) old items I'm collecting. I have a VERY good Eye finding old items (of value). I just don't have a lot of money.
Square.....the wife is kind of "nervous" with all the Edge thingys I have been bringing home. You should of seen the look on my wife's face when (I walked up from my Basement) with my (new to me) two and a half foot long (circa 1920-30's) Nichols Bros. Beef Splitter"! Still, you're correct. I need to find "something" she'll like. Something "Cat" related no doubt.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Last edited:
HARDBALL said:
Hi all,

Sorry no pixs. Yesterday while searching Yard Sales/Flea Markets for Knives and Axes, I found a mid-size Axe Head in good physical condition. The weird thing about this (Snow & Nealley Co.) is the Axe Head is Black. Now, it does not appear to be painted on per se. It is more like it's coated with something else as it has a very smooth and slippery feel. I can tell this (hopefully vintage) S&N head was buffed out (as the S&N Co. logo was almost unable to be seen) and then coated. Might some Gun Blue give this kind of finish ?
At any rate, I tried to soak the Head in Vinegar and could tell in short order that this process would do very little if anything to remove the Black coating. What might the good folk here a BF suggest to remove this stuff
(short of using a grinder/wire brush which I don't own). Paint remover ? I don't care for "Black Heads".

Regards,
HARDBALL
Click to expand...
 
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