Let's see your axes
- Thread starter topop101
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Outlawmws
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I don't have an Ex, so only the one for me! 
gnpenning
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I have a tru temper that looks very much like that.. Including the double hardening.
kjdhawkhill
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What's the startup kit for custom kydex? I see lots guys doing it for other tools and devices but don't know anything about the process.
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Picked two nice tools today. A Wards Master Quality Axe and a Plumb hewing hatchet. Both have the original handles all though the plumb has had a screw and extra wedge driven into the eye. The plumb also has some numbering on it that I don't recall seeing on other plumb tools. UF B6 
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Outlawmws
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Top, I would guess those numbers were stamped in by the owner/Company
MercLSU
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Axes / hatchets are one of my favorite thing to collect, though recently I sold a large number of the heads I had laying around waiting to be hafted. I probably have about 30 or so left and I'll take some pictures during normal hours, but I do have a picture of my favorite head that I still need to find the right haft for:
Made by Vaughan in the 30s, in damn near perfect shape. The boy is only two but this will be his first axe when the time is right. The eye is an odd shape and will be a PITA to be properly handled (at least at my skill level).
Made by Vaughan in the 30s, in damn near perfect shape. The boy is only two but this will be his first axe when the time is right. The eye is an odd shape and will be a PITA to be properly handled (at least at my skill level).
Axes / hatchets are one of my favorite thing to collect, though recently I sold a large number of the heads I had laying around waiting to be hafted. I probably have about 30 or so left and I'll take some pictures during normal hours, but I do have a picture of my favorite head that I still need to find the right haft for:
Made by Vaughan in the 30s, in damn near perfect shape. The boy is only two but this will be his first axe when the time is right. The eye is an odd shape and will be a PITA to be properly handled (at least at my skill level).
That is a real nice piece. I've never seen one that nice!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Merc, pic of the eye?
As said, VERY nice piece!
As said, VERY nice piece!
MercLSU
Well-known member
Thanks. I'm certainly no expert on hafting axes (done 10 or so later model axes), but after hafting this once it looked awful. It was a tight fit but after playing around with it, I eventually removed it. I'll try again at some point, or have somebody with a more skilled hand do it. Normally I'm form over function but I have this hand picked to be my boy's first axe. He's only two so I have some time...at least six months? 
Here are pictures of the eye:
It's fairly hard to get good pictures, but the size and steep taper were a bit difficult. I ordered a handle from Handle House and had picked up one previously at a local Ace Hardware for a different project. Both were boy's axe sizes (~28"). The latter was closer in size and shape, so I went with it and you already know how that went. The original handle was 23" long (upper right of linked page):
https://books.google.com/books?id=m_7XltzVxYsC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=Vaughan+boys+axe+bsa&source=bl&ots=lYZTIAwjwW&sig=5zYjmZr-66mB2rE2czoTgAnEaEw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-Rr-UJzhAcar2QX4koGQAg&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Vaughan%20boys%20axe%20bsa&f=false
There are very few, if any, options for a ~24" handle without making your own. So I went larger, and that didn't work out. I think I have a little more patience these days and will likely try something else once things slow down.
Here are pictures of the eye:
It's fairly hard to get good pictures, but the size and steep taper were a bit difficult. I ordered a handle from Handle House and had picked up one previously at a local Ace Hardware for a different project. Both were boy's axe sizes (~28"). The latter was closer in size and shape, so I went with it and you already know how that went. The original handle was 23" long (upper right of linked page):
https://books.google.com/books?id=m_7XltzVxYsC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=Vaughan+boys+axe+bsa&source=bl&ots=lYZTIAwjwW&sig=5zYjmZr-66mB2rE2czoTgAnEaEw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-Rr-UJzhAcar2QX4koGQAg&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Vaughan%20boys%20axe%20bsa&f=false
There are very few, if any, options for a ~24" handle without making your own. So I went larger, and that didn't work out. I think I have a little more patience these days and will likely try something else once things slow down.
MercLSU
Well-known member
And per the thread topic...here are two of four axe drawers in my blueprint cabinets. I'll get some more pics during normal hours. And I think I have five users that I keep in the shed...two double bits, two single bits, and a maul. Of the former two categories I have one quality and one junk (i.e. $10 Lowes / Home Depot) that I use in different situations.
That Man's Mustache
Well-known member
Bought this at an estate sale a couple of years ago. I believe it's a mortising axe. No marks but good steel and very sharp.
Thanks. I'm certainly no expert on hafting axes (done 10 or so later model axes), but after hafting this once it looked awful. It was a tight fit but after playing around with it, I eventually removed it. I'll try again at some point, or have somebody with a more skilled hand do it. Normally I'm form over function but I have this hand picked to be my boy's first axe. He's only two so I have some time...at least six months?
Here are pictures of the eye:
It's fairly hard to get good pictures, but the size and steep taper were a bit difficult. I ordered a handle from Handle House and had picked up one previously at a local Ace Hardware for a different project. Both were boy's axe sizes (~28"). The latter was closer in size and shape, so I went with it and you already know how that went. The original handle was 23" long (upper right of linked page):
https://books.google.com/books?id=m_7XltzVxYsC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=Vaughan+boys+axe+bsa&source=bl&ots=lYZTIAwjwW&sig=5zYjmZr-66mB2rE2czoTgAnEaEw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-Rr-UJzhAcar2QX4koGQAg&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Vaughan%20boys%20axe%20bsa&f=false
There are very few, if any, options for a ~24" handle without making your own. So I went larger, and that didn't work out. I think I have a little more patience these days and will likely try something else once things slow down.
Try making a mold of the eye???
Bought this at an estate sale a couple of years ago. I believe it's a mortising axe. No marks but good steel and very sharp.
That's some fine axe's there! I have never seen any thing like your last photo. At first I thought a carving adze but I really don't know other than it's very nice!
crguy
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That Man's Mustache
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I got nothing like it with "ice ax"; all I got were mountaineer ice axes which were quite different.
MercLSU
Well-known member
That's a sweet (ice) axe. Never seen anything like it but I'm not surprised being this far down south. The last time I saw ice that thick it was at the Centroplex when we still had a hockey team.
[Yes, somebody thought it was smart to bring a minor league hockey team to Baton Rouge]
[Yes, somebody thought it was smart to bring a minor league hockey team to Baton Rouge]
That Man's Mustache
Well-known member
I had good results with ice harvesting axe. It still amazes me how subtle search engines can be.
A few recent additions to the collection. Plumb dbl bit, Woodings-Verona grub hoe, thin bladed unbranded brush cutter, A Keen Kutter single bit boys axe and a Wyeth single bit. Both the KK and the Wyeth have the original handles. The Wyeth needs rehung with a new wedge but the KK is minty. The Plumb has a new Forest King oak handle and the brush cutter is all original also. I don't think it has seen out side of the barn much.
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woody 73
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Woody: nice grouping and hope the wife didn't see them on the washer before you moved them. thanks for sharing.
Top: your collection is growing. I had my hands on a few of my rusty, old and interesting axes this last week and just need to remember to take a few pictures. looks like you scored a few good ones on that trip and I noticed the nice Parker vise you found this weekend too that should be a KEEPER.
Top: your collection is growing. I had my hands on a few of my rusty, old and interesting axes this last week and just need to remember to take a few pictures. looks like you scored a few good ones on that trip and I noticed the nice Parker vise you found this weekend too that should be a KEEPER.
woody 73
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Yes the wife would use them on me to cut off my nuts if she ever found out I was using her brand new washing machine like that!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Wow Woody there is photographic evidence and everything! 
Somebody likes Eastwing! (I do too, but don't get them very often as the sellers clearly want them more than I do, based on the prices they set...)
Somebody likes Eastwing! (I do too, but don't get them very often as the sellers clearly want them more than I do, based on the prices they set...)
Rockett69
Well-known member
Wow, this a great thread. I've kept a lot of my grandpa's axes but never thought to look through them to see what they are. I know there are double heads, old estwings, old splitting mauls etc. Never really thought about anything other than the personal history behind them. Restoring them never crossed my mind. I did, however buy my first axe. Which I have split quite a bit with since I bought it in February. Don't judge on the non traditional axe. It's a Fiskars 31.5" splitter. Easy to haul around, no real vibration transfer. Love it, though it's not as beautiful as a tried and true wood handled beast
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Rockett69
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The Fiskars has a 4 1/4lb splitting head. Total weight is just under 6lbs. It carries great, little to no feedback really. It has a hellacious edge on it, that I have not had to do anything but a little touch up on. Splitting mauls are great, and I almost bought one instead to the Fiskar, but the shear weight difference is very noticeable. I haven't tuckered myself out yet swinging it, as opposed to the maul. My fiance even took a swing with it and did pretty good (5'6" about 110lbs) splitting a 6 in round of live oak with her first swing. With the weight completely on the end, the power you can swing with is great. I've only ever handled a small handful of other ones for comparison, and I'm thouroughly happy with my purchase and can/will happily drag this one anywhere. My first one, but definitely not my last. It's no Gransfors, maybe I'll graduate into one of those one day haha
Rockett69
Well-known member
I will see what I can do about digging out some of those axes for some show and tell... by that I mean I show yall, and you tell what the heck it is 
Here's a pair from my weekend picks. The Douglas broad axe and the Pilchers Black Jack Hatchet. These are both very old but still haven't nailed down a time frame. 1800's is as close as I can get right now. Both are in excellent condition and were great finds for me.
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Fordguy1964
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I thought about posting pictures of my ex but nobody wants to see that old battle ax!
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
I found a double-bit axehead buried next to my well house; if I remember, I'll post a picture of it... not because it's anything spectacular, but because someone apparently decided to use it as a splitting wedge. One side is in pretty fair shape, the other looks as if it got wailed upon by a 8# Sledge. I know in the depression you got by with what you had, and 50 miles from "the big city" was a long ways... but still.
Cool collectables? I have a pair of one man "Misery Whips" from about the same era. One was pretty badly bent up, the other was rusted thru in places (that was sad). I originally thought they were a shortened and repurposed 2 handed bucksaw, but they're obviously not related (by the tooth and pitch). Still...
When you look at those, it gives you the impression the original owner must of had arms the size of a barrel.
Cool collectables? I have a pair of one man "Misery Whips" from about the same era. One was pretty badly bent up, the other was rusted thru in places (that was sad). I originally thought they were a shortened and repurposed 2 handed bucksaw, but they're obviously not related (by the tooth and pitch). Still...
When you look at those, it gives you the impression the original owner must of had arms the size of a barrel.
Yeah it's pretty crazy. I like edged tools of all kinds. I bought this old place that had tons of overgrowth on it and I mean tons! Before I knew it I was surrounds by axe's and haven't stopped buying yet. Now I have some from the early to mid 1800's and that's just way cool to me.
Be sure and post what you find!
