Thanks man, yeah it's funny because I just posted on another topic about how successful I've been at removing heads, etc. The inside of the eye isn't rusty, but it does seem really rough. I'm not sure how to proceed. I don't want to ruin the handle, though I may have already. I've crushed the crap out of the top of the tongue and even tried to drill the kerf back open to try to relieve some pressure. I don't want to destroy the handle because I put a lot of work into it.
tongue is a mess now
here it is, half on/half off. its in axe purgatory
HOWEVER, I was able to successfully hang an head this weekend, so all isn't lost.
I've had this 5lb Flint Edge Rafting head for a little while, and finally got a 28" straight handle for it. Again, from House, and spent quite a long while thinning it down. I octagonalized this one - except for the grip of course.
It turned out really well, and I really like this axe. Feels really good. Can't wait to put it to work next time I go out with the chainsaw.
Also, this Sunday we had a really nice warm (50s) sunny day, so I set out a few axes that I've finished lately to cure in the sun. Its amazing how much faster the tung oil polymerizes with a few good hours in the sun. Turns weeks into hours.