Should I paint or polish axe heads?

T

tandanus

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Aug 3, 2016
Messages
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Just taking a rough poll (puns!) on whether or not I should paint my Forester.

Yes, I've been lazy and haven't gotten 'round to hanging it. But before I do, I'm wondering how I should finish it.

I've got a little Hytest household hatchet I'll be painting heritage cream, but I'm wondering if I should paint the Forester its factory red, or if I should polish it.

Looking to hear the pros and cons and thoughts on each!
 
I've never painted a head, I usually just oil them for rust prevention. Paint will wear off, and oil is easier to reapply, but that's bust my opinion.
 
It depends on your goal. If it is so it will look good, AND it is to be a user, skip the paint. I've never seen a painted working axe that looked fresh. Polishing takes some time and effort and isn't required, but if you like the look this is the one that will be easier to maintain. If this is for a wall hanger, do what appeals most to you.
 
Entirely your call, if you have the inclination and the spare time. You're doing this for looks only. Very few folks paint axes, hammers, sledges or shovels. Misting a steel implement with WD-40 (or what-have-you) after use or during storage will keep rust away much better. Something that worn off paint won't.
 
Aye, I do intend to give this axe a taste of ironbark...and it's already a bit beyond showroom condition...
 
I would just go over it with a wire wheel then oil it up, I like to use oil.then beeswax for a coating that doesn't actually feel oily.
 
I don't know the proportions, but, I'm sure it's available on the 'InterWeb'. Both my John Neeman Tools and I believe Svante Djarv use this mixture to surface-treat their Axe heads. This is from the JNT website:

"After the axe is tempered to Rockwell 58-59 (HRC) and the steel is hot enough, a mixture of bees wax, linseed oil and turpentine is applied to the axe head. This is a very old and effective way to protect the tool from rusting."

I haven't had any issue of rust with any of the my Axes treated in this manner. IMHO, it's an excellent surface-treatment. BTW, I don't think you don't have to heat the metal to drawing or tempering temperatures for this to work. Putting the Head in a regular oven to heat would work.

Hopefully, a Blacksmith who knows more about this technique will chime-in with more details.

SJ
 
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Just to be a contrarian, I like paint, red or black. Red is highly visible, too, unless you put your axe down in the midst of a carnage. I go generally by the rule of following whatever the manufacturer did for a particular axe in terms of color and paint pattern.

Something thick like rustoleum brush on will stick better than you might think. Let it cure at least 72 hours before use, though. Yes it will wear off, but you can still oil also...

Ps, part of what I like about paint is the contrast with sharpened bit.
 
I like the look of both, but don't own a painted one as I feel the beauty will be short lived as a user. But I am going to try and rust bluing one of my projects soon, don't know if I can post a link on a tutorial on another forum.
 
Nothing wrong with painting it. Paint makes great rust protection.

I apply a beeswax, BLO, turps mixture like Scooter described above. After de-rusting a tool with a wire cup brush the tool holds enough residual heat to melt the mixture. Or you can set the tool near the fireplace or heat it mildly with a torch. I'm not cooking the mixture on like you'd do with cast iron. I never get the tool hot enough for that.
 
Well, here's that hatchet painted up.

A coat of cold gal, followed by a reasonably thick coat of Colorbond Classic Cream. Painted up to the temper line of the blade:

ozQgJpN.jpg


For obvious reasons I've referring to this one as the Edward James Olmaxe.

phantomknives said:
depends on the look you want
Click to expand...

That's why I'm askin' you guys...:)
 
tandanus said:
Well, here's that hatchet painted up.

A coat of cold gal, followed by a reasonably thick coat of Colorbond Classic Cream. Painted up to the temper line of the blade:

ozQgJpN.jpg


For obvious reasons I've referring to this one as the Edward James Olmaxe.



That's why I'm askin' you guys...:)
Click to expand...

Looks better than it probably did after a vinegar or electrolysis bath ( anything looks better than that ) 👍
 
Hickory n steel said:
Looks better than it probably did after a vinegar or electrolysis bath ( anything looks better than that ) 👍
Click to expand...

Careful when you say that. There is an old saying around about 'putting lipstick on a pig'. Presumably this is for aesthetics and not for sale purposes.
 
300Six said:
Careful when you say that. There is an old saying around about 'putting lipstick on a pig'. Presumably this is for aesthetics and not for sale purposes.
Click to expand...

After a vinegar bath heads always end up looking like cheap brittle cast iron, and while I don't particularly love the color choice I think the paint still looks way better.
 
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