Elwell hatchets

[jackelope]

Anybody know anything about Elwell hatchets? When I was a kid I dreamed of these 2 hatchets my grandfather had. I knew one day when I got big enough my grandfather would let me have them. Well I forgot about them and he passed away about 15 years ago. On a recent trip to New York to visit family I scoured the garage looking for these two hatchets and eventually found them. They are a little rusty now but otherwise in good shape. I am looking for some advice on how I should go about cleaning them up. It appears to just be surface rust on the heads. Handles in good shape. I will post pictures soon. I wanted to post this earlier and forgot and now I'm not in a position to put pictures up.

[jackelope]

Pics.
They're at least 30 years old...probably more but I don't know for sure.

[tjthebest]

Well since I am an Elwell i believe that those are long lost familty heirlooms of mine

[jackelope]

I'll give you the beer.

[pianoman9701]

from bushcraftuk.com:

"Edward Elwell started at Wednesbury Forge in Staffordshire in 1817, and stopped around 1930 I think, when it merged with Chillington Tool company. Eventually taken over by Spear and Jackson  They don't make them as good as they used to.

[tjthebest]

 

I'll give you the beer.

 

[Tim in Wa.]

I think emery cloth is all you need to clean that rust off
Tim

[Simcoe hunter]

Emery cloth or use will clean the rust from the heads.  I would be surprised if the handles don't need a little work though.  If they came from an area of the country that has dry weather the handles typically shrink some where they fit in the eye of the head.  If they have dried out they will become sloppy with use.  They may need a couple of new or additional wedges to help tighten the handle in the head.

[toothfangclaw]

feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

feature=youtube_gdata_player