Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades hafting a pollockski, err, GI pick

I seen Boises link to house handle in his thread. I have an old GI pick that was grandpaps. I used it for years, digging trap beds in frezzen dirt. Busted the handle a few years ago, and whittled a crude substitute outta maple. Been on the lookout for a replacement, and when I seen house had one I hit the buy button. Good straight grain and no laquer, as I wanted to flame and BLO it. Had to do some minor fitting to get it how I wanted, got it all fitted, flamed and finished......

Any grandpap would be proud of that one.

Nice!

Cool piece....

Very nice Don. Now ya need to let the pup gnaw on it for a little character. I think I have an axe and a couple of hammers around here that were Pop's that need similar treatment.

Dale

Very nice Huntsman!

Oh, believe me.....He wanted to. Kept begging for me to throw it...

Hah! I do believe that dog is surly.

Mighty cool looking tool. Can't imagine the fear one would have coming up against that in a hand to hand fight.

One best know his schit and have luck on his side.

Huntsman, what is flame and BLO and what's the purpose? Burn the surface to make it harder or for better grip?

Cool project and old tool.

BLO is boiled linseed oil. Less likely to give a guy blisters than any other finish. Yeah, flaming gets rid of small stickers and such, as well as hardening.....

Don-
Why such a short handle?

for one-handed use, I reckon. This handle is about 1 1/2" longer than the one that came on it. I see they also sell a 36" for it, but the head seems too light to get much use with a two-handed swing, especially in close quarters like digging foxholes....

Love seeing these old tools get a new lease on life. Great job.

Nice job Don. Handy little picks they are.

I found one like it in my brothers garage as we were cleaning it out after his passing. This one has a squared off handle, don't know if it's a modification or if they were made that way.

After seeing Don's handy trenching tool I went on eBay and got this never issued vintage sample. Head had lots of flashing that didn't hold up to my file and the head does look better after wire brushing. Also took the file to the handle and knocked off the high spots. Yep, I know I destroyed the collectors value and my $31 is lost. This is what it looked like when I received it.

Cool.....I happen to know where ya can get a handle if'n ya need it......

Always good to know a guy that knows a guy that has a place... Bet'n you have a better handle.

Don,

Here's mine.





Where'd you get that phone case?

kingston, it's a homemade kydex deal I whipped up.




thanks for putting up your pick-pic.

I done the little pollockski's big brother today...

Thanks for the pic of your iphone sheath. I need to make one...

How'd you get that dark flame finish on big brother's handle?

It was already an old dirty handle. I just sanded, flamed and oiled it.

Didn't notice the difference in head size 'til the side-by-each pic.

Now I see the reason for the shorter handle.

Yeah?
Well, I knew you was struggling and I did that just for you.......grin

i have one of those in the shed thats been needing a handle since i found it in my dads stuff.

rem, where are you?

Huntsman, nice pick axes; but, what kind of dog do you have in your picture?
Mike

red heeler/australian cattle dog

Which if treated correctly, is a badass dog....

Looks like you are not going anywhere without him coming along. Me thinks he won't let you out of his sight.

That is a great job, Don. I like seeing those old tools get put back to work.

PA. i am going to dig it out next weekend and order me a handle. i have a old can of BLO around somewhere too. its little projects like this that keep me from doing the stuff i am supposed to be doing around here. like when i spend all weekend doing a euro mount when my house is down to one bathroom and i got walls ripped out.

lol...

Thanks. It was helpful.