Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Are old broad axes worth buying or not?

Ok so no hammer ing. In hindsight of course. It would just chip or worse.

The back is only slightly concave. Here are some photos whereI've tried to show by how much.

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd481/Weaverofduart/2012-03-10132351.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd481/Weaverofduart/2012-03-10132712.jpg

Both photos are of the same view but one is back lit. The largest the gap gets would be 2.5mm. We are not talking very much at all but it seems to be consistent along the width (parralel with the handle) of the bit.

The backlit shows the pittting on the back which is considerable but near the edge it is not as bad.

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd481/Weaverofduart/2012-03-10135338.jpg

The last photo shows the leading point and the chips. If I put even a shallow convex curve on the edge then the chips would be removed. If I keep it straight then I obviously have to take the entire edge back until the chips are gone.

If I keep the bit straight how well will it hew. I would have thought that a straight bit would be inclined to leave tracks in the face being finished.