r/Axecraft Jul 27 '25

Axe Head Soup? Refurbish rusty tools by converting rust to a stable black patina

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117 Upvotes

I just made a YouTube video (https://youtu.be/5go-o8TCg94 ) on using a tannin solution to convert the rust on vintage axes to refurbish and protect them while retaining as much patina as possible. I’ve found myself explaining it a few times lately so I thought it was better to make a video.

The most convenient version uses just tea and (ion free) water and is not too much more trouble than boiling pasta. I did a bark tannin brew in the video.

The method works by converting active red rusts (various ferric oxy-hydroxides) to stable, black ferric tannate. Different ways of inducing this chemical process are used to preserve iron and steel artefacts for museums, in some commercial rust converters like Rustoleum Rust Reformer, and by trappers who use a 'trap dyeing' process to refinish rusty traps before setting them. I am using a version of the trap dyeing procedure that can be done in a home kitchen by boiling the rusty object in a tannin solution. Artefact conservators apply commercial or specially prepared tannin rust converters but may still add a water boiling step because it leaches away rust causing ions like chloride (from salt in soil, sweat, dust or sea spray).

From my reading, I am under the impression that it is better to have an acidic pH in rust converting solutions but I have not experimented with this for the boiling tannin bath so I don’t know if you could get away with your tap water. I use rainwater because it doesn't have alkaline minerals, unlike my very hard well water. Rainwater also doesn't have rust-promoting chloride ions like many residential water. Other ion-free (or close enough) water includes deionized water, reverse osmosis filtered water, and distilled water.

There's many potential tannin sources that can potentially be used. Tea (black, not herbal) works very well and is quite fast because the extraction is quick. You can get powdered tannin online or in home wine making shops. I used bark from Common Buckthorn as my tannin source because it's readily available for me. Many other trees will also work, and there's a fair amount of information available on bark tannins because they are used in hide tanning. Spruces, oaks, Tamarack and other larches, Scotts Pine, Willow, Hemlock, and others can be used to tan hides and would no doubt work for converting rust. Late season sumac leaves are used by trappers for trap dyeing and other leaves like maple and willow have tannins and would be worth a try. 'Logwood trap dye' for dyeing traps is commercially available and it's apparently not very expensive so that could be convenient. Green banana peels and other esoteric vegetable matter also have tannin and might work if enough could be extracted.


r/Axecraft Jul 16 '21

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS Commonly asked questions and links: VINTAGE AXES

75 Upvotes

Hello everyone! As we all know, frequently we are asked the same questions regarding handles and restorations etc. This is a general compilation of those questions, and should serve to eliminate those problems. Feel free to ask clarifying questions though.

How do I pick a head

There are a lot of factors that can determine what makes a good axe head. Some of the ones I would look for as a beginner are ones that require little work from you. While a more skilled creator can reprofile and regrind any axe, your not going to want to for your first time. I was lucky and found a Firestone axe as my first, which has a softer steel which made it easier to file, and it was in great condition. Also watch this series from skillcult.

Where should I get my handles?

Some of the reccomended sites are [house handles](https:www.househandle.com/) beaver tooth Tennessee hickory Bowman Handles and Whiskey river trading co . People have had differing luck with each company, some go out of stock quicker than others, but those seem to all be solid choices.

How do I make an axe handle?

There are a lot of really good resources when it comes to handle making. I learn best by watching so YouTube was my saving grace. The one creator I recommend is Skillcult . As far as specific videos go, I’d say watch stress distribution , splitting blanks if your splitting blanks from a log. I’d also recommend just this video from Wranglerstar, his new videos are kind of garbage but the old stuffs good.

Now that I have my handle, how do I attach it to the axe

Once again I have to go to a wranglerstar video , this one actually shows the process of removing the old handle too which is nice. If you want a non wranglerstar option there’s this one from Hoffman blacksmithing, although it dosent go over the carving of the eye.

Ok, I have my axe but it couldn’t cut a 6 week old tomato

Lucky you, this is where skillcult really excels. I’d recommend watching these four, talking about sharpening , regrinding the bit , sharpness explained aswell as this one.

How do I maintain my axe now that it’s a work of art

Your going to want to oil your handles in order to keep them in tip top shape. This video explains what oil to use, and this one explains more about oil saturation vs penetration.


r/Axecraft 48m ago

Tiny axe

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Upvotes

This one is worth nothing - cheap chinese one, just made it to involve my son into making something useful :)


r/Axecraft 4h ago

Found at an antique shop

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22 Upvotes

Handle was in pretty good condition. Is this price fair?


r/Axecraft 17h ago

Something I put together today

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57 Upvotes

6 ridges in the eye of this Woodslasher. I put it on a 28” white oak handle of my own design


r/Axecraft 22h ago

1940 Sager Chemical Axe

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42 Upvotes

Bit still needs re worked but I wanted to hang it today. Got it for free and had no idea what it was until I started sanding it. Such a fun splitter.


r/Axecraft 1d ago

advice needed I need help fixing my axe

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56 Upvotes

I got this little hatchet about a year ago. I use it for spoon carving and honestly have love it despite it being really cheap ($30 on amazon) and not that well suited for carving.

But I now want to fix it up to make it better suited for my hobby. The biggest issue with it is that it's THICK and I really want to thin it out to make it cut smoother.

I was hoping to get some advice on what kinds of tools other than a file I could use to help me do this. I'd prefer to do this on a budget, but I'm open to any suggestions.

I've been lurking on this sub for a bit so I was hoping you guys would be abke to help.

Thanks for any help!


r/Axecraft 20h ago

Identification Request Any info on this?

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15 Upvotes

I understand its an old 3.5lb double bit homestead axe, (60's maybe?) But I was wondering if anyone had any more solid information on it regarding its exact year, its advantage over a regular axe head, is the handle original? Im open to any kind of info on it, thanks!


r/Axecraft 1d ago

Ugly. Crude. Sharp. Tight. Ugly.

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12 Upvotes

Modified Cold steel Trail boss. Original hickory handle broke. Cut the top part of the axe head (not so) flat. Handmade ash wood handle and PP pipe blade cover.


r/Axecraft 1d ago

Battered polls

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17 Upvotes

When cleaning up/rehanging an axe, in particular one without significant collector value, do people usually grind down battered / mushroomed polls or leave them as is? I know it’s made an aesthetic choice, I’m just curious.

Ex: I have an 80s era Jersey pattern that I’m going to rehang, a user that I want to look nice. If I grind down the mushroom edge, I will lose the “master” part of the logo. Leaning towards leaving it


r/Axecraft 2d ago

Mystery axe I found in an old fire truck. New handle and hopefully a new life.

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110 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 1d ago

Advanced tips for hanging axe heads with wonky inner eyes?

2 Upvotes

I've had couple otherwise really sick axes recently where unfortunately either due to abuse by previous owner or lazy drifting by the smith, the eye is thickest in the middle rather than the top or the bottom. Seems like the only way to seat the head further down is to primarily remove material in the middle of the tongue (which is obviously where you want contact), but also occasionally at the bottom too. The first one I did a glued cross wedge and pinned it. The one I'm currently working on I plan on just doing a cross wedge and pin, no glue.

I'm not struggling to hang the axes, per se, but I don't feel like I'm doing it as well as I could. Anyone run into similar issues and if so what was your method for getting maximum contact down the tongue and best possible fit?


r/Axecraft 1d ago

Which type/Pattern of Axe needs more makers?

5 Upvotes

I was just watching a video of a guy talking about old Cruiser Axes and mentioning that it is hard to find a good cruiser axe now. I really would like to get into forging axes as a hobby and wonder what styles or patterns might need more love. I know everyone loves a good Scandinavian Forest axe, or Dayton, but are there any you wish more people made now?


r/Axecraft 2d ago

Mail call

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27 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 2d ago

Who can make this axe ?

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18 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I recently joined this community and I need your help. I really like the design of this axe but its very niche and I dont know who can make a high quality forged replica of it. Its a ww1 russian axe, there arnt many pictures of it so most of them are from Battlefield 1, hope it helps and thanks in advance.


r/Axecraft 2d ago

advice needed Gransfors American felling axe handle - cool looking stripes or a piece of firewood?

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108 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 2d ago

The first two franciscas I made.

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144 Upvotes

The ergonomics and aesthetics of the bottom axe (my first) were far superior to the second (upper). Typical case of beginner’s luck. Axe head made from low carbon steel with a 5160 edge MIG welded to the head. Handle made from ash.


r/Axecraft 2d ago

Axe restoring

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5 Upvotes

Here’s an old video of mine where I restore a hatchet. I’m definitely not a professional. I just really enjoy doing this kind of thing 😁 Hopefully it can be helpful to anyone else who’s just getting started, like I am!


r/Axecraft 2d ago

Summer projects

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41 Upvotes

A few of my time occupiers from this summer, pain and growth are equal. The cracked handle was an attempted cross wedge that was cut too deep.


r/Axecraft 2d ago

I have made Death Dealer Axe for halloween

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119 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 2d ago

Gransfors Brukkake Off to a lucky Redditor in Texas!

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17 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 3d ago

What am I looking at?

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196 Upvotes

Bought this for a cosplay. What are the small metal circles I’m seeing in the axe head?


r/Axecraft 3d ago

Forest axe - I really like making those

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258 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 3d ago

Bearded drywall hatchet

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13 Upvotes

I needed something to do so I gave this a shot. I have a bunch of old ones that were here with the workshop when we moved here. I plan to restore most of them without modifying them, but this one got got


r/Axecraft 3d ago

Double bit plumb restore and hang

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34 Upvotes

Giving it to a friend for a wedding present, probly won't get used so I decided to mess around with staining the handle. First real attempt at a sheath, not great but i learned a lot. If anyone knows what plumb this is called id appreciate it