I am looking forward to the comments on this thread, I have an old axe head. I found it about 60 years ago in the field between our house and a neighbor.

It was probably in the ground for at least 50 years when, I found it and have never tried to clean it as I did not want to do any further damage.

The neighbor's house was probably built on a recently cleared lot some time between 1870 and 1890, so the axe is well over 100 years old. It is a squaring axe, the type that you would use to square up a beam from a tree trunk.

I personally like it with the signs of wear. It gives it authenticity.

Thanks for the comments! I agree with the signs of wear, mcbmd3, I just want to get it a little cleaner. But certainly don’t want it to look brand new.

This particular axe head was used by US Forest Service ground crews in the Pacific Northwest, circa 1940s-1960s.

It appears pitted.....which you will never remove. I would use an SOS pad.....and a gentle hand....perhaps maybe try Barkeepers friend on a sponge first. it removes rust.

John, have you tried Evapo-rust? I soak the part in it and the rust comes off. it won't hurt the chrome plating. I used this on some rusted Craftsman sockets with good results.

Hi @jemdandy, thanks for the wonderful feedback. I opted for a straight hickory handle. I gave the blade a basic sharpen and also applied a couple layers of light sandpaper to clean the surface of the blade. I’ve left the pits alone, as I’ve learned, they aren’t going anywhere. I’ll post some updated photos.

As for the type of metal, the vinegar bath and scrub didn’t remove any color except for the thick layer of rust. The color of the photos does indicate bronze, but perhaps better photos will help. Given the stamp of “FS” on the blade (“US Forest Service”), I assumed it was steel. Either way, a fun find.

Thanks again.

It may be bronze coated but for a tool that is to be used for productive work it would not be bronze, Bronze is softer than iron, and does not hold up as well. Working tools have not been made out of pure bronze for a couple of thousand years. . The tool is probably made our of steel, especially if it is less than 100 years old.

If you search for "Forrest Service Axe" you find new versions of this.

It uses the same type of handle as a double bit axe.

I'd like to buy one. They are $65.

An old joke: I owned Abraham Lincoln's axe, though the head had been replaced once and the handle twice.