kenp Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 while decending the CD route on Baker a few years ago I found an old, water-logged wooden ice ax just below high camp. It was swollen and rusty. I packed it home and pretty much forgot about it until a recent shed cleaning. The handle has shrunk back to normal size but the metal parts are pretty rusty. I used a nylon tire brush and knocked off enough rust to see a stamp on both sides of the pick. One side says 'Zurich' with a diamond shaped shield and the other other is stamped with 'made in Austria'. It is a very long ax with a long pick (no teeth) the leather wrist strap did not survive. So here is my question, what should I use to safely remove the rust? I want to try to ID the maker and possible age of this antique tool. I will post pictures once I have it cleaned up. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toast Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Steel wool and elbow grease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenp Posted May 20, 2005 Author Share Posted May 20, 2005 ah yes, that should do the job I would think. sounds like a good evening project while sitting on the deck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Naval Jelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Hobbick Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 If you sprayed it with WD-40 the symbols on the axe might contrast better with the metal. Mabey you've tried that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott_J Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Steel wool and elbow grease and http://www.interstateproducts.com/rust_remover.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steddy Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 have you looked into possible history of it? ie super old or medium old? dead guy? pretty interesting regardless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenp Posted May 23, 2005 Author Share Posted May 23, 2005 my guess is it's from the 60's? I started climbing in the mid 70's and used a wood handled ax but this thing is a lot older than the new one I had then. it has a long, straight pick, with no teeth and a old school type spike on the end and a fairly wide adz. I will try the wd-40 idea tonight and thought about using something like a s-o-s pad. I found it in an area where there were crevases, just below the high camp, a bit off the beaten path. can't imagine it was strapped to a pack and fell off, given the slope angle and location. But where it came from or how long it layed there, I haven't a clue. I haven't found any marks to ID the ower. I'll clean it and post a picture this week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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