Anyone Collect Axes & Hatchets?

[FRJ]

Very nice work, Kaleb. It sure spruces them up in a big way.

[muskrat man]

Thank You.

Here is one from the restore pile I have been trying to identify. The head is unmarked but the original handle is marked. I cannot make out the entire stamp all I can read is ER-V-ALL (over) FORGED STEEL. Any ideas fellas, cause I've been coming up empty?

[FRJ]

No clue...........

Nice framing hatchet.

[muskrat man]

vaughn and plumb framing hatchets with original handles.

A 7lb evansville firemans axe for good measure.

[TripleF]

Knice arsenal Kaleb!!

[cody6268]

The "CD" is the logo for the Civil Defense, which was mostly to protect us from a Soviet nuclear attack during the Cold War era.

I wouldn't be surprised if this axe was carried on a truck much like this one:


http://cj3b.info/Fire/RescueTruck.html

That's a pretty cool axe. I've not seen one like it before.

[muskrat man]

thanks for the info, that's really cool!

[TripleF]

If I could only mkae mine look as good as Kaleb's!!

True Temper Flint Edge double bit!

[muskrat man]

thats a dandy old axe there, I need to find me a full size double bit for the collection soemday preferebly a true temper or a plumb. I seem to have good luck with those brands

[TripleF]

I may have.....may have saved this stone axe! Don't know what a stone axe is? I sisn't either, but it's apparent the previous owner used it to split stones, not wood...


But I think she'll work on wood now

By the way that was done by hand......with a file....I don't have a grinder, or room for one.

[FRJ]

Nice save on that framer, Scott.

[TripleF]

Thanks Joe!

[muskrat man]

Found this metal detecting the side yard of the 1700's home I live in last year. It's 3lb 9 oz and worn way back probably a 4+ lb felling axe originally. I wonder how long it has been there? Some day I plan on restoring it to a useful condition. It was encrusted in rust when I found it, took a 2 week soak in vinegar just to get to metal.

[muskrat man]

Here is another one from the collection. I don't know who made this, I have a "regular" axe head with the same "US 01" marking. This one has a slip fit eye like a tomahawk that uses a pick style handle

[TripleF]

That's awesome Kaleb!! Great work bud.

I completed my first hatchet rehandle for my 36 yr old nephew today. I had originally given him the head ONLY with instructions to rehandle so he could keep and use. He did. Problem was it only lasted for a few swings and it broke.

I asked him to give me the True Temper Flint Edge roofers hatchet.......I just finished it. Sorry about the bad cell phone pic.....

[muskrat man]

nice save, love me a good true temper Here is a flint edge double bit I have.

Who do you all get your handles from? I have used hickoryhandlestore.com and house handle company both in the past with good results. The house handles usually have a thick crappy lacquer job I end up scraping off but I think for a small premium they will hand pick bare sanded ones for you. I may have to try that with my next order. I do like the slightly different styles and selections various suppliers offer.

[TripleF]

Thanks bud!

Usually I get my handles from other hatchets/axes. I sell the head and then the used handle is saved for a hafting job!

[Dinadan]

I may have.....may have saved this stone axe! Don't know what a stone axe is? I sisn't either, but it's apparent the previous owner used it to split stones, not wood...


But I think she'll work on wood now

By the way that was done by hand......with a file....I don't have a grinder, or room for one.

Scott - at the first land surveying company that I worked for , all the crews used a 3 1/2 pound ax for driving iron pins and stakes. But quite often in town a property corner will fall in a concrete ditch or on a sidewalk. In that case we used the sharp edge of the ax to chip an X mark in the concrete. That was just the way we did it. The practice certainly dated back at least to the first half of the 20th century. If you ever find an old survey crew ax it will be a lot blunter than hatchet in your photo.

[treefarmer]

Dinadan,
I did a few years on the "chain gang" back in the '60's, back before chainsaws, lasers, computers and satellites were the common tools of a survey crew. As head chainman on a crew, one of my many jobs was to take care of the axe and keep it sharp and ready. It had the straight handle, we called it a poll axe, with it you could drive up corner markers, guard stakes with ease or cut a tree that wasn't to big. "Offsets" would work on a small job but on a big job there always seemed to be another tree on line. Back then people wanted to be able to know exactly where the property line was so they could build a barbed wire fence and cutting a tree wasn't an issue. Many times we would notice a new fence being built where we established a property line. When we worked in town and a corner fell on the concrete sidewalk, a hammer and cold chisel were used to fashion a very neat cross, felt like a sculptor when we got done .
When we referred to our knives, we were talking about a Collins machete that was used all the time for cutting line. Each crew member was responsible for his own "knife". If it wasn't sharp, it would work you to death in the scrubs and swamps of central Florida!
Boy this brings back some 50 year old memories! I got promoted from head chainman to a location crew party chief after about 3 years. I enjoyed the extra money but sure missed being in the woods.
Treefarmer

[Dinadan]

Dinadan,
When we referred to our knives, we were talking about a Collins machete that was used all the time for cutting line. Each crew member was responsible for his own "knife". If it wasn't sharp, it would work you to death in the scrubs and swamps of central Florida!
Boy this brings back some 50 year old memories! I got promoted from head chainman to a location crew party chief after about 3 years. I enjoyed the extra money but sure missed being in the woods.
Treefarmer

The Collins 24" machetes made in Columbia were always my machete of choice. About ten years ago they just went away. Maybe due to the turmoil in Columbia - I do not know. Nothing I have found since has been quite as good.

For serious line chopping through miles of dense coastal swamp and woods, we carried bush axes. I preferred using a bush ax because it was more of a full body action to swing one. I still work at a land surveying company, but we do not do the heavy cutting. I have a couple of machetes that I keep in the truck. A 20" Condor for carrying when I may need to cut down a bush or two, and a 24" that I use for heavier stuff.

[TripleF]

Mel and Philip.....you guys should get together, you're practically neighbors!

Great stories of days gone by!

[muskrat man]

Two norlund hatchets. These have gained a lot of popularity with bushcrafters (something has to explain why the price influx over the past couple years). The osage handled one is my go to hatchet, I made that handle when I was about 16, before I started cutlering even, still going strong. I love how easy these are to make peel hair like a razor. Also, a molle compatible sheath design I decided to try and market.

[TripleF]

Good stuff Kaleb!! Really love the darker color!

[TripleF]

Anyone identify this roofing hatchet with octoganal head and with FB (backwards B) stamped on underside of head?

[TripleF]

Purchased this custom Estwing Sportsman axe & custom sheath from out very own Muskrat Man.....
and I scored this vintage broad head with claw pole by GROVE TOOL WORKS of NYC to be sold on the bay...