How To Blacken An Axe Head

Axes work hard and deserve a piddling love whenever you tin requite information technology. In this guide, we'll requite you the rundown on how to keep an axe caput from rusting. After all, it'southward easier to maintain tools than information technology is to deal with fixing them once they're looking the worse for article of clothing.

How do I stop an axe head rusting?

The easiest manner to protect an axe head from rust damage is to give information technology a light oiling every six months. Cleaning the caput of dirt and moisture and storing information technology abroad from the elements and moisture will also keep rust at bay. Over time, your axe volition develop a natural patina that helps protect the tool from unwanted rust.

Steps to prevent an axe from rusting

Once yous've finished working with your axe, follow these instructions to go along your axe in tip-elevation condition.

1. Clean it: Start past checking the axe head to make certain it's make clean. Wipe off dirt and debris with a cloth. Tannins and sap should be removed using steel wool combined with acetone.
2. Bank check for rust: Can you see early on signs of rust forming on the steel? Get rid of it straight away by using vinegar and fine steel wool.
3. Oil it: You can oil both sides of the caput of an axe by squirting a small amount of gun oil or WD40. Otherwise, Vaseline or beeswax can be smeared onto the metal. Using a rag, wipe information technology lightly to make certain it gets spread all over. Don't wipe off any excess oil.
4. Dry out it: Place the axe head on a sheet of cardboard or newspapers and allow it to dry for around two hours.

Safe tip: Oxidation of some wood oils can upshot in fires. Store linseed-soaked rags in an airtight container submerged in h2o. Oily newspaper should be composted or burned off.

Fast fact: Oiling an axe head doesn't but offer protection, it also helps the blade cutting through wood deeper and faster.

Other ways to prevent axe rust

Paint: Employ a clear lacquer to protect the metallic and touch up occasionally on the wear points.

Bluing solution: Coat your axe head in a bluing solution similar Birchwood Casey Super Bluish Liquid Gun Blue. This product is a double-strength solution that is ideal for bluing hardened steel like axe heads.

Rust-o-leum: Remove whatsoever rust and dirt, so coat in Rust-o-leum. A final coat of oil volition offer excellent protection from rust.

Animal fat: If you're off-grid with no access to man-fabricated protectants then animal fat like squealer grease or whatever other animal you lot impale will work well.

Commonly asked questions

How often should I oil an axe head?

To keep an axe in top status, try to oil the head every six months. If yous're oft working with an axe in wet conditions, so monthly oiling is well worth the attempt.

What is a patina?

When metal is exposed to air, it oxidizes in a similar way to a fresh slice of avocado. The surface transforms into a richer color and acts as a protective layer to destructive rust. Patina is usually shine and has a greyish-black shade.

Having a patina on an axe caput is a positive signal. Information technology shows that your axe has a loftier carbon bract.

How do I add together a patina to my axe caput?

Adding a ferrous oxide patina to your axe head is quick and easy. There are many means to go the task done, but a mixture of boiled orange juice, salt, peroxide, Epson common salt, and vinegar volition assist expedite the process.

How to remove severe rust from an axe

If your axe head is completely rusted over then you'll demand more than just steel wool and vinegar. Instead, remove the axe head from the handle and soak it in a bathroom of white vinegar.

How do you lot go on an axe caput shiny?

To proceed an axe head looking like yous just bought it, add a little polishing compound to the polishing cycle of a rotary power tool. Polish the metal until it has a shiny finish.

What is the all-time production for preventing rust?

The ideal product for rust prevention on an axe will depend on what you utilize it for. Natural animal or found oil is best if you lot use it to process food or for hunting. Gun oil, beeswax, or WD40 are excellent for axes used on forest or other everyday jobs.

Our guide to the all-time axe oil will exist bachelor before long and we'll postal service a link here when it'southward published.

Summing up

Benjamin Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Wise words that couldn't be truer when it comes to axes. These tools are easy to maintain, so go into a regular addiction and your axe will keep giving for many years.

You lot may besides like to cheque out how to acuminate an axe and how to store an axe. Following the advice on all these 3 pages will take your axe maintenance knowledge to a new level.

Alex is a writer with a huge passion for the outdoors. When he's not working on axes, he'southward probably camping, hunting, or honing his survivalist skills.

Source: https://axeadviser.com/how-to-keep-an-axe-from-rusting/

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