Hafting a new 100 year old axe 

Hey Mindokwin- i added a piece to my handle by dove tailing it to the back of the handle with wood glue clamp it let it set overnight,shape it with a wood rasp to fit.then install axe head and wedge.it works everytime.the dove type tail on the sdded piece keeps it from ever giving.lasts as long as the handle does.takes a little time but well worth it at the end.no way it can give or come loose either.i use hickory for the add on-same as the handle.good luck nice video..

I REALLY enjoyed your video. How exciting to find a 100 year old NOS axe! Your articulation, demeanor and lack of background music made this a home run!

Hands down one of the sweetest axes Ive ever seen. Thankyou for sharing.

Great content! I hope you post some more videos. Fellow axe enthusiast here.

Great video, lovely axe. Appreciate you flashing up how they did the weld on the bit, thank you.

my axe also ended up fitting like that too, there was a gap in the front (slimmer part) of the eye, but it was on there super tight. it didnt seem to be a problem

That is the most beautiful head I’ve seen. Maine eyes were very long and awkward. I have a handful of Maine axes like Emerson & stevens and they tend to have that gap in the back. I have also used wedging to fill that gap. Glue helps those stay in place

I actually obtained a really old double bit Witherell from a friend, restored it, made a handle for it, and I am hoping to give it back to him as a gift.

Thanks! It is one of my favorite axes for sure.

Say Heah, I sort of made an unusual axe, I had a thin 5" Iltis Oxhead hanged on a 19" White Hickory Handle, I had it made short for easier transpot, Some call it a House Axe, Miner's used short heft also. my Iltis head is similar in weight to yours and having a very thin face some told me I would of been better off putting a longer handle on it since it is a felling axe head. But I still put on a shorter handle on it. What I'm finding out is with its shear weight it plows through wood easy and makes short wood out of processing alot of firewood down to kindling just by Axe Tapping it. I'm not that good as you, so I had mine made and Maurice from Canada made it for me and did a great job, Thanx for sharing your axe, job well done, Thanx. ,, ,, ,,

Nice Job👍. Amazing old piece of history. Looks like a great cutting Axe. Crazy that label was in as good of shape after 100 years! Does the Head have a Makers Stamp?

I have a 4.5# Hytest Craftsman in that condition. Great job on the handle gap!

I wish they made axes like they used to.

That's a sweet find you got there.....

I was wondering what sort of oil to use to drive the wedge (or adhesives or steel crosswedges that came with the wedge kit or whatever,) and I remembered that linseed oil polymerizes as it dries, thus eventually forming an adhesive bond with the wedge. That's also why it's used as a base for oil paints. Good to know my instinct was on the right track. I'm about done shaping a haft for a 3-pounder and just looking for tips to do it right.

I gorilla glue gaps on my stuff, solid as a rock, nicely done sir.

Thank you Sir

Very educational--thanks! When you say it's going into the "inner sanctum," does that mean it doesn't get used?

beautiful collins

A late reply , yes ... I would be reluctant to remove the original label , but if the label is unreadable and detracts from the beauty of the axe , I reckon it has to go . That axe head is quite a find and congrats . As far as gaps - If they aren't too pronounced , a mixture of sawdust and epoxy or my home made hide glue works pretty good . Thanks for your video Mindokwin and all the best from New Mexico -> Lefty Cat

It looks great..you sell yourself way to short!

Are you in Michigan

Do you still have this axe?

Where did you find this axe?

I have a stone axe and a bronze age axe head my farther found metal detecting near YORK here in England PS wont be using them tho