r/Axecraft Jul 27 '25

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

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115 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

78 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 5h ago

Corrado Blacksmithing Testimonial

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53 Upvotes

Wanted to drop a quick customer testimonial for Christian Corrado at Corrado Blacksmithing. I’d seen his work posted around this sub for a while, but I recently had the chance to work with him firsthand.

"My kids" got me a hand-forged 5.5lb Jersey pattern wood bullet style splitter for Father’s Day, and I couldn't be more impressed. It is a stunning piece and absolutely rips.

Everything was fabricated to "my kids" specifications and he met them perfectly. The quality and attention to detail on the forging are exceptional, the turnaround time was super fast, and his customer service throughout the whole process was top-tier. Overall, just a fantastic experience from start to finish.

If you're on the fence about getting work done by him, don't hesitate. He doesn't know it yet but I'm already planning to have him forge me a pickaroon and a hatchet for Christmas!


r/Axecraft 6h ago

Wall mount for my hatchet

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31 Upvotes

Today I made this pretty simple wall mount for my hatchet and yes I kinda messed it up but that's because I quickly threw together a very bad router jig but I think it turned out pretty good, much better than the one I was trying to forge


r/Axecraft 1h ago

My collection of Billnäs axes

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Upvotes

r/Axecraft 4h ago

Hi, first time posting. Anybody familiar with this brand?

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8 Upvotes

I've found this axe in a house we bought. I've cleaned it up a bit and I'm wondering what brand is it. If it helps I'm in the EU and the former owner used to live in Germany, so most likely German brand.


r/Axecraft 3h ago

How can a company sell something like that?

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6 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 2h ago

Why does this chopper have a strap screwed to the handle?

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5 Upvotes

Why does this chopper have a strap screwed to the handle?


r/Axecraft 13h ago

How should I remove this?

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31 Upvotes

this axe had a gross handle so I removed it and now I can’t get it out already broke a drill bit how should I go about removing it


r/Axecraft 19h ago

Identification Request Any idea what this is?

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23 Upvotes

My elderly neighbours gave me this axe head for $15. The only thing I know is that it’s 5 pounds heavy. After cleaning all the rust off this is the only identification on this axe head. I’m in Canada if that narrows things down, thanks in advance!


r/Axecraft 14h ago

advice needed Is this fire axe head cast?

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7 Upvotes

TLDR; Is this axe head cast? If so is it as strong as a forged head. There is no name or any markings on it so I couldn't tell you if is Chinese or American. It weighs about 3.5 pounds. Last image is comparison with an axe I've restored.

Just the other day me and my father were asked to "clean" out a house that's going to get sold. (Aka take whatever we think is cool or useful like tools) And there were a few axes but this one stood out, mainly because its a fire axe. But while I was wire wheeling it I noticed something about the edge, there was no edge. And not like dull but, not sharpened at all, and when I asked my dad what's up with that, he pointed out that it actually looks cast and not forged. And it looks hella pitted but we also think its because its casted but the pick side looks like it was grinded/sanded down because its smooth and not bumpy like the rest of the axe.

So is this axe head durable and worth making it a working axe or is it an "oh cool a fire axe" axe?


r/Axecraft 1d ago

Identification Request Ebay Deal Identification Request

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28 Upvotes

I just picked this up on eBay for €40. Could anyone tell me a bit about the pieces and the shapes? There’s definitely one from the Upper Harz region included.


r/Axecraft 1d ago

Fiskars Norden irrepairable

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80 Upvotes

hello guys,

I couldn’t find any information on how to repair the handle on the Fiskars N-series axes. Official support says it’s not repairable.
That basically turns the whole series into display models 😔


r/Axecraft 1d ago

Müller axes any good?

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22 Upvotes

Heya just looking for anyone who's had experience with this brand and if they're any good?


r/Axecraft 1d ago

A gem has been sitting in my garage for a year

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49 Upvotes

Picked this up when visiting family in Minnesota over a year ago. Just got around to working the rust off to find it’s a Black Raven. It’s seen better days but I’m still stoked!


r/Axecraft 2d ago

Crack in new axe

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37 Upvotes

My friends got me a custom axe for my birthday and saw this crack in it. Is it something I should worry about.

Edit: Thank you for the help my friend who purchased it sent an email to the maker. We’ll look into getting a replacement or a refund from the maker.


r/Axecraft 1d ago

How should I remove this?

0 Upvotes

this axe had a gross handle so I removed it and now I can’t get it out already broke a drill bit how should I go about removing it


r/Axecraft 2d ago

Plumb Military Hatchet

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89 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 3d ago

Genuine Norlund

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19 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 3d ago

Another viking axe

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15 Upvotes

r/Axecraft 3d ago

Shiny Thing Good Getting closer! Another 5/16…

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12 Upvotes

Rehafting a special one today… one for my big brother!
3lb head from northern Saskatchewan with no makers marks on a haft he chose


r/Axecraft 3d ago

Got this from an antique store for $45. Good find? Any insight on the purpose of the blue bevels?

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380 Upvotes

Any care advice (oiling, sharpening, sheaths, ect) would be much appreciated! Found in the corner of a massive antique store and couldn’t resist.


r/Axecraft 3d ago

Too far gone?

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15 Upvotes

This axe head was found by a friend on a barn floor in west Tennessee a few years ago. After a lot of evaporust and scrubbing, I decided to hang it. My question to the hive, is this too far gone? I've also made two masks for it. I have not gotten to the sharpening part yet.


r/Axecraft 3d ago

Identification Request Can anyone help me identifying this mark on the bottom axe

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1 Upvotes

It looks Scandinavian or maybe German?


r/Axecraft 4d ago

advice needed Which way to hang?

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81 Upvotes