Let's see your axes

[twertsy]

So.............I have a 4' 4th axis (lathe) on my CNC. You're telling me all I need is a bunch of Osage Orange and I can knock out handles by the truckload at 2 bills each?? I should try some axe/hatchet handle making on the CNC, I don't see why it shouldn't be an easy make.........

 

[MissileBear]

So.............I have a 4' 4th axis (lathe) on my CNC. You're telling me all I need is a bunch of Osage Orange and I can knock out handles by the truckload at 2 bills each?? I should try some axe/hatchet handle making on the CNC, I don't see why it shouldn't be an easy make.........

I don't know how many of those he's selling - you're going under the assumption that these things are flying out the door. He might only sell 1 a month.

Handle making isn't that hard as long as you start with a good wood blank (no knots, uniform, straight grain, etc) and shape according to the grain. IMO the hardest, most time consuming part is getting the handle to fit the head without gaps. If you were making universal handles you wouldn't have to deal with this.

 

[Jazz1]

Cleaned up axe head and discovered these markings. Anyone seen them. DT on top, 1/4 on bottom. This axe I found and is kept in boat.

The older axe was found on shores of Hudson Bay

 

[AZ Pete]

I found an old norlund hatchet on a trash pile the other day. I cleaned it up and put a new handle on it. Seems like it'll be a nice little camping hatchet.




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I have had two of those, both bought new. Still have one, a neighbor boy stole the other in about 1977.


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[AZ Pete]

Here's an old Collins felling ax. I believe it is pre WWII. I found it many years ago associated with a German POW camp in Colorado. Th handle was badly weathered, so replaced. Looks like I better refurbish it again.


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[Jyzze]

That is nice found, i have looking for that kind of double side axe. They are not so common here on Finland, and If you found one It cost some euros..

 

[Miller72]

2.87 lbs. Total
24.5" Hung. Haft is 25" total and not trimmed.
Walnut Wedge

 

[Miller72]

5 7/8lbs total
30"

This was a 6lb. Fireaxe that a previous owner had cut the 1/4lb. pick off.

 

[Skiff Builder]

I have no pics of the axes I keep in the shed, so I'll post one of the ones I keep in the house

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was stoked to find a "TrueTemper Tommy Axe" "No. TAF" at the flea market today. While some "purists" may look askance at the claw, these unusual hand axes are akin to a PLUMB Claw Hatchet in type and quality and have a loyal following. It's much heavier than a typical hatchet its size, and the poll, which is actually meant to be used as a hammer, is hardened for that purpose, as is the claw, of course. Most of the time you see these in the wild one or both of the tines on the claw is chipped or broken off, and sometimes they are cut off and ground down intentionally. Tommy Axes have a very high center line and for that reason are just as able in splitting (kindling, etc) as they are in chopping. It's a perfect camping axe.

The only ads I can readily find show a more typical hatchet handle, but I remember reading that they were made with a hammer handle as well, and this one seems original, though I wouldn't swear to it on my life. I think I will keep it, since it's seated well, and I like the feel of it in the palm of my hand.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are a couple 1950 Popular Mechanics ads. The first is for the Tommy Axe. The second is for the Tomahawk, its cousin, less the claw. As I said, a lot of guys turn Tommy Axes into Tomahawks, but I am fond of it as is, especially with the claw intact.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, Nice find on the Tommy ax! that is one I don't have.

The ads are cool, and I was surprised to see TT also made fishing rods, bait and golf club shafts! I have a steel shaft fishing rod around here somewhere; I don't recall seeing a maker on it but...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, Nice find on the Tommy ax!

Thanks. This is my first! I couldn't get the cash out of my pocket fast enough. I've already filed down the mushrooming on the poll. This is a nice axe.

 

[Miller72]

I was stoked to find a "TrueTemper Tommy Axe" "No. TAF" at the flea market today. While some "purists" may look askance at the claw, these unusual hand axes are akin to a PLUMB Claw Hatchet in type and quality and have a loyal following. It's much heavier than a typical hatchet its size, and the poll, which is actually meant to be used as a hammer, is hardened for that purpose, as is the claw, of course. Most of the time you see these in the wild one or both of the tines on the claw is chipped or broken off, and sometimes they are cut off and ground down intentionally. Tommy Axes have a very high center line and for that reason are just as able in splitting (kindling, etc) as they are in chopping. It's a perfect camping axe.

The only ads I can readily find show a more typical hatchet handle, but I remember reading that they were made with a hammer handle as well, and this one seems original, though I wouldn't swear to it on my life. I think I will keep it, since it's seated well, and I like the feel of it in the palm of my hand.

That's a great looking Tommy Axe and I too have been patiently waiting to find one.
I just made a trade with a guy across the country for one, I will post up when it comes in. I will need to rehang mine as well.

Here is what I brought home last weekend...



I got lucky and I am happy with this family of Connecticut's!

The truely great score and an honor to have and add to my collection...













...this little bench mount swivel came home too...



Have a good weekend!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a terrific find, Miller. I have my dad's.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I spotted this in the newspaper this past Sunday...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was happy to pick up this vintage WINCHESTER hand axe at the flea market today. The marking is not the strongest, but it's legible enough to identify it.

 

[Joefriday]

Some of mine. The Norlund with the homemade cover is probably my favorite to actually use...as you can tell since the others don't have much use on them.

Best,
Rob







And some loops I make to carry them in:

 

[Miller72]

Vaughn Super Steel Timber Cruiser
2.7lb. Head
3.25lbs total weight
27.5" total length
Vintage Green Arrow replacement handle

Thanks for looking and enjoying axes as much as I do

 

[bdbecker]

Okay Miller, I'm stumped. Trying to look up info for "Green Arrow 226", "Green Arrow Axe", and "Green Arrow Axe Handle" just gets me either a bunch of comic book stuff, or a bunch of info about how to make an axe handle from green wood. Any history on that company you could share? Thanks...

 

[Miller72]

Okay Miller, I'm stumped. Trying to look up info for "Green Arrow 226", "Green Arrow Axe", and "Green Arrow Axe Handle" just gets me either a bunch of comic book stuff, or a bunch of info about how to make an axe handle from green wood. Any history on that company you could share? Thanks...

I wish I had that answer too.
The replacement handles were sold by a local family run hardware store here in CT that was built and started in 1948, now a toystore but still in the same family.
The current owner remembers a Green Hardware possibly out of Hartford CT. The replacement handles would have been purchased and sold no later than the 1970's when hardware was phased out of the family business.

Sadly that's all I could discover and that is all verbal, memory faded recollection.

It has had me stumped for a while too.

 

[MercLSU]

Been looking for a Norlund Hudson Bay in the wild for years, finally found one at an estate sale for $6. I'm tickled pink on that one, especially given its condition. Also picked up a neat Shapleigh hardware hewing / broad axe that I haven't seen elsewhere before.

 

[bdbecker]

I wish I had that answer too.
The replacement handles were sold by a local family run hardware store here in CT that was built and started in 1948, now a toystore but still in the same family.
The current owner remembers a Green Hardware possibly out of Hartford CT. The replacement handles would have been purchased and sold no later than the 1970's when hardware was phased out of the family business.

Sadly that's all I could discover and that is all verbal, memory faded recollection.

It has had me stumped for a while too.

I did a quick search of the Hartford Courant archives and did see there were quite a few mentions of the Green Hardware Co. over the years. Looks to be mostly public records of budget expenditures, but there were a few ads too. Without a subscription I couldn't see any of the full pages/images. I hate it when I get stuck on stuff like this... I nearly paid the $7 for a subscription just to be able to see the pages.

 

[Miller72]

I did a quick search of the Hartford Courant archives and did see there were quite a few mentions of the Green Hardware Co. over the years. Looks to be mostly public records of budget expenditures, but there were a few ads too. Without a subscription I couldn't see any of the full pages/images. I hate it when I get stuck on stuff like this... I nearly paid the $7 for a subscription just to be able to see the pages.

That's awesome work! I had not thought of utilizing the Hartford courant! Excellent!
Perhaps they were a brand withing a brand and or offered only wholesale.
Amazing work.

I will try asking todays owner, one of the daughters, and report back any other info I can find.

Well, you have me reignited on the handles again...and I love it!

I will post later, but I was able to obtain 3 if these handles. One remains for another cruiser.
I hung this cruiser and a couple years back a plumb.

Great that we can do this!

 

[bdbecker]

...Perhaps they were a brand withing a brand and or offered only wholesale...

My thoughts were leaning towards a big axe/tool handle company offering custom store branding for their customers. So Green Hardware Co. could sell the "Green Arrow", I could sell the "Beckerbuilt", and you would sell the "Mighty Miller" - they'd all be the same handle just with a different custom stamping. Of course, if history is any indication, I could be completely wrong. Either way, I do love what technology allows us to access these days.

 

[Miller72]

My thoughts were leaning towards a big axe/tool handle company offering custom store branding for their customers. So Green Hardware Co. could sell the "Green Arrow", I could sell the "Beckerbuilt", and you would sell the "Mighty Miller" - they'd all be the same handle just with a different custom stamping. Of course, if history is any indication, I could be completely wrong. Either way, I do love what technology allows us to access these days.

Yes, excellent. I agree sir.
Watch out for the MightyBeckerBuiltMiller Handles in your local hardware store soon

 

[Miller72]

A couple axes have come my way...

The bottom is a 3lb Collins Legitimus Connie on a 28" haft.

The top is a big ole mystery to me, on a 29.5" haft.
My scale has the head at 3lbs.

I reveal a 3 1/4lb stamp center of the axe on the cheek...promising, a close weight.
I then reveal a 5 under the pole at the shoulder, hmmmm...
And of course the wholly and incredibly illegible name stamping.

Here are some pics of the mystery head cleaned up.
Any and all guesses or information welcome. Thank you...













Old Yank or Yankee possible?

The haul the axe came in. There is a great vise in there too.

 

[120mm]

Here is my bearded axe.

Lots of folks think the bearded axe was designed as a weapon of war, and most art, media and re-enactors portray it as such.

In reality, the Viking war axe was a completely different design. The beard on the axe is to allow the hand to be placed behind the center of mass of the head for it's true purpose.

To be sure, the poorer Vikings used the bearded axe as a weapon out of necessity, but it is a much better dressing axe than it is a war implement.

Pictured is a more realistic Viking war axe.

My bearded axe is an amazing implement. In the aftermath of a recent tornado, I went around dressing trees, and I was faster than the chainsaws at that particular task, and it allowed many more trees to be loaded in trailers and trucks than undressed.

 

[Miller72]

Just saw on antiques roadshow, DC area, an 18th/19th century English smith made trade tomahawk be appraised for 10 grand.

 

[va.grouseman]

I saw that too.---Had just read the post on the bearded axe this morning, then saw the Road Show tonight.---The man was splitting kindling wood with a 10K tomahawk.

 

[Miller72]

A few treasures have come my way these last few days...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Love the Legitimus.

I don't have anything else to add to this thread this morning except a wry anecdote for why I don't have anything else to add to the thread this morning. Apparently, the axe throwing trend (see ESPN WATL, Stumpy's, Kick Axe, Bury the Hatchet, etc etc etc) is going to have an effect on the prices of axes at flea markets!

 

[Provincial]

I discovered this axe in a shed on my wife's family property. It was with a bunch of double-bit axes and axe heads that are pretty rusty. Her dad was a logger, and lived through the Great Depression, so this seems reasonable.

It is a design and weight commonly used by (chainsaw era) timber fallers in this area.

I have some questions about the other axes. Some appear to be forge welded and you can see the seam at the eye. Does this mean that they are quite old?

A couple of these axes have broken out at the eye. Is this a sign of poor quality or abuse?

Thanks!

 

[flatfender53]

Here is my Plumb Scout ax. I don't know the history on these but I think the handle was red at one point. I don't know if this has any association with the Boy Scouts or not. The handle reads "OFFICIAL SCOUT AXE". Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Tylermorris]

I know it’s not really an axe. Can anyone tell me what this is, or what type of handle it supposed to have?

 

[Sevenhills1952]

I know it’s not really an axe. Can anyone tell me what this is, or what type of handle it supposed to have?

Looks like a bush axe.

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[Sevenhills1952]

$10 agri supply

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[Miller72]

I discovered this axe in a shed on my wife's family property. It was with a bunch of double-bit axes and axe heads that are pretty rusty. Her dad was a logger, and lived through the Great Depression, so this seems reasonable.

It is a design and weight commonly used by (chainsaw era) timber fallers in this area.

I have some questions about the other axes. Some appear to be forge welded and you can see the seam at the eye. Does this mean that they are quite old?

A couple of these axes have broken out at the eye. Is this a sign of poor quality or abuse?

Thanks!

Post up pics of the other axes you have questions about...the eye could be poor quality, abuse, left out in the freeze and thaw for years.

The Collins 5lb rafter is a sweet axe. Hardened pole for pounding wedges and log dogs and everything in between.

 

[Miller72]

I know it’s not really an axe. Can anyone tell me what this is, or what type of handle it supposed to have?

You will need to do some thinning and shaping to make any handle fit, however you could use the bank blade handle shared by @sevenhills1952 or even use a straight or curved axe handle to your length and liking.
Places like house handle or beavertooth handle or any number of online or hardware store handles should fit the bill.
That said...that is an unusual brush axe, bank blade type tool..perhaps that is made for a specific purpose.

Good luck and post up pics when you have it hung

 

[2oolhound]

I know it’s not really an axe. Can anyone tell me what this is, or what type of handle it supposed to have?

That's a new one for me. I've never seen a 2 sided one like that. We called them brush hooks on the prairies. Great for clearing small poplars, willows etc. that were too flimsy to chop with an ax. Nice find.