Do It Yourself Axe Restore - Vintage Iron, Restored!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

I've had a few people ask me about the old Bronco seen in this video in a few different places. It's a classic 1969 Ford Bronco that I passed down to my eldest Son in 2013. It's been his baby every since! If you're interested, please visit and subscribe to his Instagram account @earlybronco_drivers . He is passionate about the preservation and historical education of early Ford Broncos! Thanks!

[@jimmyc7803]

First couple times I hung a handle I relied on Wranglerstar tutorials. Yours is right up there. Very well done.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+james canciglia Thanks James! That means a lot! I learned how to build my bee hive using Wranglerstars videos in the summer of 2015 and have really enjoyed his channel every since. Thanks for watching & supporting my channel!

[@cboutdoors9120]

I just re-handled a Plumb boy scout hatchet. Nothing like old iron! Looks good and excellant job!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thanks a million for the kind comment! It's still going strong for me! Absolutely love the axe! It's a workhorse! 👍

[@treedavis4579]

36 grit is the best way I've found to strip laker off then finish with 150. Not complaining just sharing opinions from a wood worker. it's still awesome to see people who repair instead of buying new. keep up the good work.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thank you so much for watching and for the great advise! This was a fun project and will be something I will leave to my oldest boy.

[@TheCanadiancutter]

Tree Davis , also he could also give a card scraper a try and or use a small piece of broken glass and scrape off all the varnish first, followed up with the 150 grit. Nice job none the less!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

TheCanadiancutter Yes! I'd love to try a card scraper! I just don't own one yet... Next time around, I'll be using a different method. Thanks for your comments and for watching.

[@geemac7267]

I like the axe. But I love the old Bronco!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

I feel the same way! 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@stephensgate1]

Hey, great job. I was impressed how you realized the head was upside down. I've messed up before not realizing that until after it was too late. Talk about kicking yourself. But, we live and learn as we mature. I also like how you stayed true to how your grandpa taught ya. I was close to my grandpa also. Thank you for sharing. -Stephen, Ohio

[@GriffinBenchmark]

BuckeyeBushcraft L. Thank you for watching and your kind comments Stephen! Yup, I threw this one up side down a couple times while I was test fitting. 😂😆 I think it's easy to get so involved with working that handle to fit properly that it's easy to overlook head position. Look forward to gettin to know ya better! 👍

[@troopygino]

ooowf looks like a solidly fitted handle fairplay!

[@rlbom]

Nice job!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+rlbom Thanks so much! It was a fun project I know my son will have and cherish for years to come.

[@primalinc8758]

Great video and awesome project

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thank you sir! Lots of mistakes and lots of fun! I'm reading and listening to correct my mistakes for the next one! I ordered another vintage hatchet yesterday! 😆

[@tracyjohnson3177]

Hey, I really enjoy your videos. Entertaining and I've learned allot from them. Thank you! for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thank you Tracy and thank you for taking time to watch them! 😊

[@coleschank5469]

awesome restoration! one of the best I've seen online!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thank you very much Cole! Really appreciate your comments! More content to come soon!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thank you very much Cole! Really appreciate your comments! More content to come soon!

[@bsabushcraft5037]

Great job!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+BSA Bushcraft Thanks very much! Really enjoyed doing this project and look forward to doing more like it. Appreciate you watching!

[@bsabushcraft5037]

The Griffin Benchmark, You did a fantastic job! I'm currently working on hanging one.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

BSA Bushcraft Awesome, look forward to hopefully seeing a video! Thanks again!

[@kyle_noseworthy]

last comment. i just finished watching the video. Excellent job my friend. Your comments about how it was much tougher than anticipated were spot on. It isn't an easy task! After you hang a few more it'll get easier ;-) haha Nice to see Jonathon out with you as well. That is one handsome axe!

[@rooster002]

well done.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+Polemides 00 Thanks very much and thanks for watching! I tried very hard to learn from more knowledgeable people than myself and then replicate their work here on my channel. I'll be doing more of these in the future because I very much enjoy the work. Right now, I'm trying to figure out a design for a new work bench as my pallet bench was very temporary and is no longer with me. 🙄😊

[@pricetag30]

Good job there bud

[@PaulGriffin73]

Thanks so much Larry and thanks for watching!

[@samnelson4975]

I use a 1/4 sheet power sander to do the initial sanding. Not hard to move up to 220 grit .

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+sam nelson Yeah, when I do another one, I'll probably scrape the varnish off with a knife or card and then follow up with some light sanding with 150 grit and stop there. I don't like my handles to feel to smooth in my hands when I work with them. Thanks so much for watching!

[@gregstritch9736]

Just discovered your informative channel. Great posting. ATB Greg

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Well thank you Greg! I got off to a good start and had to put the skids on as life situations changed. Things are starting to get back to a point where I can get videos going again and tell a little more of my story so more content to come soon! Really appreciate you watching & commenting! Look forward to getting to know you more! Take care! - Paul 😊

[@gregstritch9736]

Here's to Paul and Greg getting out in the woods more this year. Have some old Plumbs from my scout days and some old Norlunds from my youth as well. My favorites on the farm and homestead are by Council Tools and the boys axes among my favorites for both farm utility and packing out on trails and canoe camping. Blessing to you in your life changes. Greg

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thanks again Greg! Look forward to it! 😉

[@eqlzr2]

Nice vid. If you came here to see the actual hanging process, he starts it at about 8:30. Many thanks.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Thank you!

[@jumpingbullcreations2100]

A quick way to get the varnish/laqere off.is to use a knife or razor blade.Just scrape it and the varnish comes off in strings 👍🏻It took me about 15minutes to do a full sized splitting axe ,and I just sanded a wee bit to get any leftover off👍🏻Btw great video,Inlike your style!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+Beaver's Workshop Thanks so much for watching and supporting! Appreciate it! Also very much appreciate the tips! I haven't done many axe handles in my life but it's something I'll continue to do until I get good at it! :) Again, thanks!

[@jumpingbullcreations2100]

The Griffin Benchmark No problem!!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+Beaver's Workshop Just used this knife method on another handle I bought! Great idea!! Worked quickly and very well to boot! Thanks!

[@jumpingbullcreations2100]

The Griffin Benchmark No problem.

[@Yellowdogsworld]

Just today I acquired an ax from my father "now 70" and the story goes like this. In the past few years I have grow to appreciated the old tools I find as they are usually made of superior materials. My fathers had this ax since as long as i can remember, one of which I've used time and again when I was younger. I took a closer look at it and notice the [PLUMB] markings on the head, the handle was split and taped, but for the most part it hasn't been used in years. I did some google searching to find this ax head was one worth restoring. The ax head weighed in at 4 lbs 3 oz handle removed. After discussing it with my dad I ask if I could have it if I rehung the head on a new handle, he agreed. He then told me that this ax was originally his dads. He told me my grandfather too had it for as long as he "my dad" could remember. So not only did I "find" a [PLUMB] ax head I now have my grandfathers ax that could easily be as old as my father... and a family heirloom. I ran across your video this evening and can really appreciate what you've done here as I intend to do the same, thanks for sharing.!!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Yellowdog02 Thanks so much for sharing that amazing story. I have an old Collins splitting maul with a similar story behind it. It belonged to my grandfather. I restored the head and intend on rehanging it just as soon as I have time to do so. I always planned to make a video of doing it so my own children have a video record of me doing so. Thanks again for sharing your story and watching and supporting my channel. That really means the world to me! Take care and Merry Christmas!

[@Yellowdogsworld]

Hello GB, if you find time I posted the restoration of my dads Plumb axe on my channel, drop by and tell me what you think... FYI,, your video got me fired up about getting to work on my father's Axe. :)

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Yellowdog02 You bet! I'll take a look! Excited to! 😊👍

[@pricetag30]

Beautiful axe!I just bought a Plumb anchor hewing axe off of ebay.Dont know how old it is but i hear there made well.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+Larry Price I love Plumb everything. Planning on doing these for a fill time hobby so I'm sure there will be more videos to come soon. We're in the middle of a move and I have no access to a shop right now but it's going to happen... thanks for watching and your comments! 😉

[@lyleedwards1256]

Have one of those with the original handle and price ticket

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Pride & Joy this one is to me... Thanks for the comment! 👍

[@aslob9321]

Nice job, I never use a step wedge on axes. Also, when trimming the excess, I prefer to cut leaving the handle about 1/4” proud of the head. You got nice results though. Do another.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

I've got a couple more I need to do in the works right now. An old Collins splitting maul and a WWII standard issue infantry hatchet. Making time to do videos on them has proven to be difficult! 🤔😊 Thanks for your comments!

[@kyle_noseworthy]

Currently 50 seconds in, but was the kerf cut that deep from the store? Or did you deepen it?

[@kyle_noseworthy]

Next time, in removing the clear coat, try scraping it first! all you need is something with a crisp 90. You can really remove it fast! I could keep adding tips, but you wont like me :-P I'll go watch the video now! haha

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+Weiderfan I was very much looking forward to your comments buddy! This is what its all about! One thing about this, I am falling in love! Jonathan's appearance wouldn't have been so brief if he wouldn't have done what teenagers do and flipped off the camera! :) He'll eventually be making some videos for The Griffin Benchmark channel soon as well! The kerf was cut extremely low on this handle so I had to mount the head quite low to cover it. Thanks for watching and supporting me my friend!

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+Weiderfan P.S. I just bought another vintage PLUMB boy scout hatchet head today! I'll send pics to you for a sneak peek on FB! 😆 It's not perfect but it will be FUN! 😎

[@kyle_noseworthy]

Yeah the kerf was super low! Normally it should be approx 2/3 the depth of the head. I wont bother you with all the nit-picky critiques I could have... you'll learn.. However, I do want to mention that you shouldn't have oiled the handle BEFORE hanging. This would expand the handle, and after it has been hanged would leave the option of shrinking. When hanging, you want the handle to be AS DRY as possible. THEN AFTER hanging, you add oil and it will 'plim up', becoming that much tighter. Some people will even bake their handles prior to hanging to dry it out completely, and shrink it down significantly.

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Very interesting! Thank you for this insight man! What an art! I love this stuff the more and more I get into it! Spend a 1,000 hours and become a master right!? ☺ I hung the head up side down a couple times as well... lol! Thank goodness I caught that at least before I got to the final adjustments and hanging! Thank you again!

[@bigjaygrizzly2389]

gorgeous ax. you should wear gloves when working boiled linseed oil

[@GriffinBenchmark]

+BigJay Grizzly Thank you and thanks for watching! I agree, I should wear gloves. I caught so much grief from my wife for that so I went out and bought a box of nitrile gloves. Didn't help m my best friend from my boyhood came down with pancreatic cancer recently either... 👎Thanks again!

[@chrisdurham6423]

Dude is that an old bronco?

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Chris Durham Absolutely! I passed that onto my boy in 2013 and it's been his baby every since! It's a 1969. If you're interested, go to @earlybronco_drivers on Instagram. That's my son's page and if you like old Broncos, it's a great place to be! 😆👍😊 Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@wyatt9408]

Did anybody else see the power tool

[@GriffinBenchmark]

Wyatt Baumbach There we're several power tools in my garage. 🤔 That being said, however, I didn't use any for this project.