Phantom Bevel Jersey Restoration Part 1-The Head
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- čas přidán 8. 01. 2017
- I've had this rusty example of a classic phantom bevel Jersey pattern head for some time, very similar in profile to a Kelly Perfect. It may even be a Kelly Perfect, but whatever stamp this head had at one time has been eliminated by rust and pitting. It has also been very badly abused by a previous owner, with lots of mushrooming from repeated hammer blows to almost every surface other than the bit itself. But after filing off the mushroom areas and taking the edge down to bare metal, this old head is fully capable of going back in the woods and holding its own.
I've read many discussions online about the pros and cons of older American heads with phantom bevels and high centerlines vs modern flat cheeked patterns. I honestly do not have a strong opinion either way, but tend to use the old style heads by default. By restoring and rehanging a classic head on a new handle you can have a fine axe at a fraction of the cost of a new axe of comparable size. This axe will be fully as capable in the woods as the equivlent axe of this size from Gransfors Bruks (the current axe manufacturer du jour on CZcams), which would be the "American Felling Axe" ( retails for almost $209.00). This axe will be hung for less than $25 all told in out of pocket costs, most of that for the handle.
My personal views on heads like this is that it is completely pointless to try and remove every bit of rust, and to try and remove all evidence of pitting would probably weaken the axe beyond usability. I am merely removing the mushroomed areas and taking the bit down to bare metal so it can be honed later. The rest of the head will be given a coating of paste wax and eventually linseed oil which will fill the pore spaces in the rust and stabilize it. With proper handling and maintenance this axe head can still be useable for generations to come.
I just got mine out of an acid bath paid five bucks for it hanging it this weekend, it's a true temper Kelly perfect
Great job on the cord wood challenge! Keep making great videos
Thanks Daniel. Don't know how great they are, but maybe with practice.
I'm about to purchase one of these, excited...
I love jerseys too
I really need to find one. Just don't pop up here in UK.
Think I'll just have to bite-the-bullet and buy one off Ebay. USA. But the sellers want upwards of $70 plus $30 shipping for them. Don't mind paying the shipping but think 70 bucks for a head in that condition is a tad much. Nice video, can't wait for boss to turn his back so I can watch part 2 ha ha.
Looks great! So long as it doesn't turn to marshmallow when you use it (it won't), you couldn't spend a better 2 bucks. Nice job!
Thanks Splitseed. Now I need to restore my Planet Jr. finally. That old video is sitting there mocking me.
That's bananas
will you not do anything to remove the rust from the eye?
I completely agree with you that a brand name doesn't really matter. It seems like most axe restoration videos focus solely on the who the manufacturer was and how great that company made axes. And then there's the all-too-common misconception that an unmarked axe is (somehow) "sub-par"...some people have a delusional idea that such axes were made in China, Mexico, or wherever they believe cheap steel is manufactured. Bizarre is all I can say. I have a Connecticut (handed-down to me from my uncle) and a double-bit Michigan, both of which have to visible markings or brand name...but they superb axes with very well-tempered steel. A pristine logo matters more to collectors as a showpiece than to those of us who us who put our axes to work.
I imagine the Connie would go for a decent price even without a stamp, they are rare enough. I've always wanted to see one up close but they didn't get out this way apparently. Stayed in New England.
So when you see one of these with the lip/lug that sticks out but that's rounded off, is it safe to assume someone did that themselves and that it was originally pointed, or are there different axe heads that are identical aside from that?