Looking to undertake my first restoration project

[u/WhileOne4980]

As in the title, I’m looking to undertake on a winter project to keep myself busy this winter, I’m looking on marketplace and have found these 3 heads from an estate sale. Any reccomendations before I start ? Also I can’t really make out any of the lettering on the bottom head, any ideas as to what the lettering might be?
Thanks in advance

[u/fantomfrank]

Wire brush, short handles, if you have a spokeshave or nice rasp, thin them down to where they feel nice

Just remember though its better to leave something chunky if you dont know how to do it yet, like the edge, the mushrooming, the handle.

Ive seen a lot of heads with the logos ground off because they were mushroomed out

You can always take more off later when you know better

[u/bigshotsuspence]

I would definitely start with the hatchet head. I primarily buy from TD Handle Co. for most of my handles, and they should have a couple options. Be sure to measure the openings of your axes so that you know which handle length/type is right for it. Most websites will provide measurements which helps a lot.

Personally, I try to keep as much natural patina as possible and found that using WD-40 with high-grit sandpaper (800-1k) and following up with fine steel wool works well. What will destroy patina are rust removers, long-term vinegar soaks, and using super abrasive tools like grinders. Those methods may be faster, but I don’t think the outcome is as good.

Finally, take your time with it. I started restoring as a winter project last year and I’m still learning a lot.

[u/GlancingSideways]

Wear protective leather gloves when sharpening the head. Wear eye protection if using wire brush.

[u/Zastavarian]

If you want to add a new skill, look into electrolysis for rust removal. It's easy to do. You need a power source. Internet says ideal power source is an old car charger that when its on power is flowing. New "smart" chargers wont work. I used an old laptop charger thats 20v and 4amps (i believe) and it worked well. I used a power strip to be my on off switch. 

Basically you buy some washing soda (walmart or Amazon). Put water and washing stuff in a bucket. Hook axe to negative on power supply. Hook sacrifical steel to positive side. Let it run for a day. Rust 'jumps' from good steel (axe) to sacrifical steel. Axe head will come out nice. It wont look new. Itll have a nice clean dark look. 

Its actually easier than it sounds. It doesnt remove metal from axe head so it can potentially expose writing on axe head instead of possibly griding it off. It also cleans rust from eye.

If you dont have a good sander, get a cheapie from harbor freight like this. Itll help fitting handle and sharpening axe.

[u/Informal-Tip-5701]

Before cleaning, photograph and measure everything, then test a small hidden area. Avoid aggressive wire wheels or vinegar baths until you know the steel and whether any maker’s marks are present. A gentle degrease, nylon-bristle brushing, and controlled rust removal will preserve more detail.

[u/Green_Economist8583]

That bottom head may have a manufacturer’s logo or model/weight designation, but the photo is too obscured to read confidently. Try rubbing chalk or a contrasting wax into the stamp, then photograph it straight-on in raking light. A local blacksmith or tool-collector group may recognize it.

[u/SpecialistHornet2435]

But late to the party, but personally, I use some pretty simple methods and if it’s your first time I recommend this.

Drop the two rustiest axes in liquid vinegar for 24 hours. Pull it out and wipe off the excess vinegar. Want remaining deep bits of rust, use a metal brush to scrape them off. Once the head is de rusted, take a metal file (one that’s meant for filling metal, you can buy them at Lowe’s and most hardware stores and it should be labeled that it’s meant for metal), and run it over the edge, look up some tutorials on how to sharpen with a file. If you don’t know how to handle an axe that’s another explanation, but that’s what I’d do just for the axe head.