Halberd head came today, couple in progress pics and my first impressions of the product.
Quite the adventure doing it with minimal tools.
First off, some info about the head for anyone who might be curious.
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(I'm guessing the green I'm getting is a reaction with lacquer or grease - I sanded it quite a bit with water but whatever)
It came blunt and rounded on all points, which is pretty good because I would have killed myself about thirty times while pulling it on and off the pole trying to get the fit right.
The overall construction is sturdy - it's basically a solid piece with the halberd shape cut out of it. Not sure how the socket was formed, I'll have to look more closely for welds tomorrow.
The langets seem well attached and sturdy - not sure if they're welded on or what. Not nearly as wide as they looked in the pictures, which I was a bit worried about. They're aligned with each other, a bit bendy in and out but going to be fastened down anyway. The drill holes line up with their corresponding holes but not with the ones further up or down the langets.
The socket is the biggest downside - the inside is pretty crude and uneven so fitting the haft to it was a hassle. With the langets and shape it would be difficult to thoroughly clean up. I spent a lot of time just experimentally working the wood to see if I could get it further in. Definitely the price point showing up.
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Last comment on it - size-wise I'd say it's not as reported (dealers list it as for a 1 1/4 or 1 1/8 shaft) but the socket it self is a bit under an inch wide. I had to take a lot of wood off my 1.25 pole, just don't expect to drop it right on if you use a pole that size.
I sanded and re-stained the pole since it had taken a bit of a beating during the fitting process for the butt-cap and head. I should have left it plain and stained it at the end but having the pole for so long before the other pieces, etc etc.
Tomorrow is final fitting of the head with JB weld and getting the langet nails in and peened, and finished pictures.