Thread: Camp/kindling axe

Originally Posted by Shelley

I have the same hatchet head, it can get sharp but honestly don’t like it as much as my other axes.
Step one: go and mug a big bottle of white vinegar, put the axe head in a dish, even chop up a 2L bottle of milk, and place the head in the dish and cover completely with vinegar, leave for a couple of days.
Remove, wash with soap and hot water, then go to town with rough sandpaper 120 grit will be fine, get rid of all the rust, then get a finer sandpaper and clean the head some more, finish with about 400 grit for an acceptable finish.
Step two: get some wood, hickory the best but ash is more available, or go to a hardware store and buy a ready made handle.
Step3: cut the handle shape,or if you bought a handle just use sandpaper to get the varnish off.
Step4: hang the axe, lots of you tube videos, take your time, don’t rush, it a journey not a race.
Step 5: sharpening the axe, files are ok, sandpaper better, small head so it’s capable of being controlled so get it sharp!
Step 6: oil the handle, linseed is what I use, go for one a day for a week, once a week for a month once a month for a year, then annually forever.
It’s a fun project take your time and you will enjoy it.

+1 on the above process.
I do a lot of axe head restores.
One minor, but faster method - after the vinegar - if the rust comes off and is not in deep pits. You can easily strip it off with a wire wheel. This leaves a nice rough finish.

Surface rust will appear quickly, so drop the head in boiling water - fish it out, quick dry, and whilst still near untouchable heat wise, spray with crc or something like that.
It will smoke slightly and appear to evaporate, but gives an awesome finish that lasts for a decent amount of time.