WHY OLD AXES & TOOLS
I’ve always had a deep respect for old tools. Long before disposable products became the norm, tools were built to last a lifetime and often longer. The axe heads I restore today were once relied upon by timber cutters, farmers and tradesmen across Australia, and many still have decades of service left in them.
Beneath the rust and wear is a piece of craftsmanship worth preserving. Every axe and tool I restore is given a second life, not only as a working tool, but as a reminder of a time when things were made properly and built to endure.
Many have spent decades forgotten in sheds and scrap piles, but beneath the rust remains a tool with character, history and plenty of life left in it. In a world of disposable products, an old axe represents something different — craftsmanship, durability and a connection to the people who used it before us.
While axes form a large part of what I do, I also restore old woodworking, blacksmithing and carpentry tools.
What others see as rusted scrap, I see as craftsmanship, history and another generation of service waiting to begin.
WHATS ON THE WORKBENCH
PAPER LABEL TROJAN RESTORATION FSA-0060
Original paint, a partially surviving paper label and the sort of honest Australian working axe that rarely turns up untouched. Some finds are exciting because
HYTEST FORGED TOOLS ROUND POLL RESTORATION FSA-0052
An honest Australian working axe from the 1960s, complete with its original hardwood handle and traces of factory green paint. This Hytest Forged Tools round
MILLERS FALLS BARN BEAM BORING MACHINE RESTORATION FSR-007
Sometimes the most interesting restorations aren’t the tools that fit in your hand. They’re the ones that built the buildings still standing around us. There
SHOW YOUR LOVE OF COUNTRY
THE LUCKY COUNTRY TEE
I’M PROUD TO BE AUSTRALIAN
Australia is a remarkable country, built on freedom, opportunity, resilience and the efforts of generations who helped shape the nation we enjoy today.
Being proud of Australia doesn’t mean ignoring its faults. It means appreciating what has been built, valuing the opportunities we’ve inherited, and accepting our responsibility to leave it stronger for those who follow.
The Lucky Country Tee is for Australians who love this country and believe that despite our challenges, Australia remains a nation worth believing in, worth preserving, and worth building.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT I DO
THE WORKSHOP
“Every axe begins as a forgotten piece of steel. The journey from rusted relic to finished tool happens here.”
THE TIMBER VAULT
“Every axe handle begins with a piece of timber. Choosing the right wood is just as important as choosing the right steel.”
LEATHER
“Good steel deserves good leather. Every sheath is built by hand using traditional techniques and quality materials, creating protection that will age alongside the axe it carries.”
COMISSION AN AXE
Have a few ideas in mind for your own custom axe? Ge in touch and lets see if we can bring your vison forward
LATEST RESTORATIONS
HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL?
I’m always on the lookout for quality vintage axes, old axe heads, blacksmithing tools, anvils, timber suitable for handles, and other workshop treasures. If you have something gathering dust in the shed or passed down through the family, I’d love to hear from you. Send through a few photos and a brief description, and let’s see if we can give it a new life.
FROM THE JOURNAL
Some Things Are Too Good to Throw Away
There are axes that come into the workshop looking for a second life. And then there are axes that come in looking like they have
AXE HEAD WEIGHT – WHAT REALLY MATTERS?
FORGOTTEN STEEL WORKSHOP – Restoration Guide One of the most common questions I get is: “What weight axe should I buy?” Usually it’s asked while
HOW TO MAKE AN AXE HANDLE FROM SCRATCH – PART 1
FORGOTTEN STEEL WORKSHOP – Restoration Guide Why Make Your Own Handle? There is a particular satisfaction that comes from swinging an axe on a handle
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