Let's see your axes

[Private Lugnutz]

According to Yesteryears Tools, my first source for axe info, linked here, Plumb bought Philadelphia Tool Company and continued to use the brand. They don't say when, but it's possible that hatchet could be pre-Plumb.

Yesteryears Tools also says that Plumb supplied hammers, axes and hatchets to several hardware store in-house brands, so I suspect that is the Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett connection. They did not make any tools, so I would guess Plumb was one of their suppliers for their O-V-B line. I tend to think that brand name was too unique, famous and popular to be used coincidentally by H, S & B and Plumb, especially given Plumb's propensity for litigation.

 

[Provincial]

Perhaps the remains of a stamp "State of GA" showing ownership?

 

[BMWBOB]

just pulled the axe head (Sager Chemical Axe 1947) out of the vinegar. Looks like the "chemical" treated areas still are. On the back side there is a "4" stamp. I assume this is the weight, or is it a model number?

Also, the head is about 9 3/4" long - what were they new?

Cheers!
Bob

 

[bdbecker]

just pulled the axe head (Sager Chemical Axe 1947) out of the vinegar. Looks like the "chemical" treated areas still are...

All axes should have an area like that - that's the hardened/heat treated area. The steel has a different molecular structure in that area that reacts differently to acid (vinegar) making it darker. Here's a pic of one of mine that just came out of a bath.

View media item 70888

 

[BMWBOB]

Oh - That makes more sense. At any rate, I don’t believe this one got much use.

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Mintgrun]

I've heard it referred to as laminated steel, since the cutting edge is a piece of tool steel embedded in the softer steel of the body.

I dug up this ax making video I found a while back. (sorry if it has already been posted in this thread).

https://aeon.co/videos/forged-by-cr...by-eye-and-muscle-before-automation-took-over

Tom

 

[BMWBOB]

I've heard it referred to as laminated steel, since the cutting edge is a piece of tool steel embedded in the softer steel of the body.

I dug up this ax making video I found a while back. (sorry if it has already been posted in this thread).

https://aeon.co/videos/forged-by-cr...by-eye-and-muscle-before-automation-took-over

Tom

Very interesting video! I thoroughly enjoy watching old-school ways of doing things, which mostly could be done now with crude means.

BTW - after cleaning, the axe is remarkably sharp - other than a small chip on one blade it will require almost no effort.
Thanks!

 

[BMWBOB]

I got the axe finished yesterday and did some minor work with it today. I re-hung it on a hickory (I think) handle. It had gobs of varnish on it and the grain was across the eye at about a 45 deg angle but I didn't have much to choose from - in fact, I had a heck of a time locating one locally. I think I spent more time removing the varnish than anything else! When I was seating the head a small splinter of the shoulder popped off: the head is tight though and didn't budge with the light work done today.

 

[RTM]

I found the below HERE:

Appears to be Brand related to Plumb? Certainly Plumb made hewing hatchets.

"The DAT says Fayette R. Plumb bought a half interest in the business of
Jonathan Yerkes in 1870 (vs. 1867) and bought Yerkes out ca 1887
(sources vary re specific date). Although he then changed the company
name to Fayette R. Plumb, he continued to use the joint name or the
initials Y&P for several more years. He introduced an Anchor Brand line
of tolols ca. 1890 and marked those with "Plumb" in script across a
figure of an anchor. He also used several other brand names - one of
which was Philadelphia Tool Co.
Another Plumb brand was marked "O-V-B" for Our Very Best. It is not
known if there is any connection to the Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett
hardware company use of that same brand marking. Plumb was still in
business beyond 1964."

Hmm, may have to poke the DAT references a bit, see if we can fill in the blank there. Now there is so much more info available to everyone.

I found a 1871 reference to them (below), that may need following up on. They were unfortunately involved in a court case with their insurer, and case references to that clog up the search results. see who Mr Armbruster worked for / with in directories, etc.


https://books.google.com/books?id=l...wiAhN6czrbvAhWUHzQIHdtvA7Y4lgEQ6AEwAHoECAEQAw

 

[RTM]

SO a quick series of searches, run during lunch breaks, shows that Philadelphia Tool Company was mainly know for selling the Davis wrench, as noted above. I found several references from 1871 to 1876 where they sold wrenches to various government bodies. Other places had them listed as Iron Founders and Tool Makers. They moved around a bit, 1716 Barker St, 1226 S 27th street, 27th to 28th Street on Oakford, etc. In 1882, they employed 27 men. Apparently just before 1890, they were wiped out by a fire, and their insurance company refused to pay, (so it set a precedent for standards, where vagueness by the insurer go to the favor of the insuree, Yeah right nowadays), but apparently was their ruin. Found a few references to them being essentially out of business in 1893-4. Big gap in the history after that.

In 1915, there is a reference to the Philadelphia Tool Co, better known as Plumb...... in a publication known as Commercial America.

Next search will see if I can find a link between Plumb and Philadelphia Tool between 1893 and 1915.

But all of this goes to say, I think the hatchet was made by Plumb, post 1893, as I did find ads 1915 and beyond showing hatchets with Plumb and Philadelphia together.

Anyway, I will stop cluttering this thread now, and turn this into a Woody73 thread sometime in the future. Or get him to do it. See if he notices me taking his name in vain here.

 

[Southern83]

Picked this up recently. Handle is in decent shape but could stand to be tightened up. Anybody got a guess of how old it is?

 

[outofbounds]

Just dug this vintage Craftsman Double Bit Axe (9" x 4-1/2" head x 36" long handle) out of the corner of my garage this past weekend. offers welcome, if you have any good ideas how to best ship the thing.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Anybody got a guess of how old it is?

American Fork & Hoe was using that logo in the 40's. It's the identical logo that wartime collectors look for on a Dayton pattern No. 4 axe for the pioneer kit that was attached to the side of a Jeep. True Temper was not a company during WWII, it was a brand, trademarked in 1929. It became the name of a company in 1949, when American Fork & Hoe changed their name to True Temper. It became a brand again in 1999, when True Temper was bought by Ames, becoming Ames True Temper, and later, The Ames Companies, then just Ames. American Fork & Hoe bought Kelly Axe Mfg Co in 1930. They used the name Kelly Works for a few years, but eventually began incorporating it with the True Temper brand. "True Temper Flint Edge Kelly Works" axes were supplied by the American Fork & Hoe Company, not True Temper (again, not a company), not Ames True Temper (which did not yet exist), and not Kelly Works, which no longer existed.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this picture on the internet. I have an Evansville ax strapped to my Jeep.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found this rusty treasure today at an estate sale.
-Don

 

[Provincial]

I found this Collins head at a sale this morning. It looks like they broke the handle after only a few swings. The edge is still sharp despite the rust, and seems to be the factory edge!

 

[Outlawmws]

It can happen! I loaned a shop my 10 lb bead breaker hammer (they only had a 5) and in ONE SWING the kid busted the handle. It was brand new - I had go go get another handle and replace it again...

 

[patack2]

I have an old True Temper Flint Edge Axe. It does not say Kelly Axe or Kelly Works or
? below. The words "True Temper Flint Edge" are in italics. I can't figure out how old this is and what company manufactured this. This certainly needs a new edge. Btw, if it helps, it weighs 3.13 lbs.
I've tried to digest http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Kelly Axe Mfg. Co. .html
and https://mycompanies.fandom.com/wiki/American_Fork_&_Hoe_Company
I'm still confused as to the mfg.
Thank you.

 

[Outlawmws]

Since its a "Flint Edge", maybe its time to learn some of those Flint knapping skills!

 

[steaks&anvils]

I have an old True Temper Flint Edge Axe. It does not say Kelly Axe or Kelly Works or
? below. The words "True Temper Flint Edge" are in italics. I can't figure out how old this is and what company manufactured this. This certainly needs a new edge. Btw, if it helps, it weighs 3.13 lbs.
I've tried to digest http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Kelly Axe Mfg. Co. .html
and https://mycompanies.fandom.com/wiki/American_Fork_&_Hoe_Company
I'm still confused as to the mfg.
Thank you.

The posts above, #611 and #613 talk about a "True Temper Flint Edge" axe, it does have the "kelly" name. The logo sure is the same though.

With old tools, they did not always use/get the same logo stuff every time. Plenty examples of weird lettering out there.

I didn't read them, but it looks like your references are on the same track as these posts.

 

[patack2]

The posts above, #611 and #613 talk about a "True Temper Flint Edge" axe, it does have the "kelly" name. The logo sure is the same though.

With old tools, they did not always use/get the same logo stuff every time. Plenty examples of weird lettering out there.

I didn't read them, but it looks like your references are on the same track as these posts.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[chenry318]

Picked up a plumb hatchet and an “old time” axe recently.
So far from my findings the “old time” was made by William Mann but possibly by Collins after they bought them out.

 

[rrroo]

Some recent findings... Just can't help myself. These are old, made in Finland. All worn on the toe. I already have better ones but lets see if they can be refurbished. Maybe some blasting first.


One mystery axe... Design looks russian or eastern european but not shure. Needs some cleaning up to see the labels.

 

[RTM]

Blasting may ruin the logos by softening the edges.

 

[saukit]

Just got an old axe out of the Evaporust...the dark edges are interesting to me, does anyone know if that's the quench/tempering/whatever mark? As you can see I know nothing about these things. This one is a double bit Winchester, still pretty damn sharp. I went looking for a 28" handle, couldn't find one and brought a 35" back. Way too big, but may fit the True Temper double bit that's soaking now...

I like this axe, would like to put a worthy handle on it so if anyone has a line on that sort of thing let me know. The IG makers seem to be sold out, would gladly support them but trying to get this thing hung.

 

[Provincial]

I think the color difference is from the carbon content being higher at the cutting edges. Probably inlaid blades, carbonized, or flame hardened, which is a premium feature.

 

[rrroo]

Blasting may ruin the logos by softening the edges.

depends what you use for blasting... Anyway there's not much logos to save on the heavily corroded one. The others will get a gentler treatment.

 

[rrroo]

Just got an old axe out of the Evaporust...the dark edges are interesting to me, does anyone know if that's the quench/tempering/whatever mark? As you can see I know nothing about these things. This one is a double bit Winchester, still pretty damn sharp. I went looking for a 28" handle, couldn't find one and brought a 35" back. Way too big, but may fit the True Temper double bit that's soaking now...

I like this axe, would like to put a worthy handle on it so if anyone has a line on that sort of thing let me know. The IG makers seem to be sold out, would gladly support them but trying to get this thing hung.

Harder steel is inlaid only for the blade parts. There's no use wasting it on the whole axe head. Rest of the head is made of softer steel and I guess the hole for the handle is easier to make that way too. These two steels corrode differently and react differently to acids and stuff.

You can see this on old chisels and lots of other tools too.

I've got lots of different axes but still missing a double bladed one. Never seen one either, guess that's only an american thing.

 

[saukit]

Thanks Provincial and rrroo! Appreciate the knowledge.

 

[RTM]

Harder steel is inlaid only for the blade parts. .... These two steels corrode differently and react differently to acids and stuff.

You can see this on old chisels and lots of other tools too.

This can be a good way to tell if your chisel or plane blade is about used up also. But also a downer when you are cleaning up tools with chemicals as its not a good look.

 

[Copymutt]

I have others. This is my splitting go to. Today split a full cord of aspen rounds. One more load of oak and should be good for winter.

This head was dug up from a farm dump ground, no discernible markings. The angle iron shields are my rendition of a handle protector. They not only protect for over strike, but assist in splitting. Simply mig welded to the head.

 

[saukit]

I know these aren't axes but I'm coming up with a total blank on any information on the manufacturer of this draw knife and timber slick (please disregard other tools in 2nd pic). The timber slick is corroded but I can make out what I believe to be "Columbia" on it, and the draw knife is clearly labeled. I can't find information on the "Columbia Edge Tool Co" anywhere. Can anyone shed any light on who made these?

 

[BeezaPilot]

Well, I'm Beez... and I'm an axaholic. A few shots from around my wood shop. It is a steel building with 3/4 inch rod diagonal supports so hung a few up there.

 

[Outlawmws]

 

[RTM]

. I can't find information on the "Columbia Edge Tool Co" anywhere. Can anyone shed any light on who made these?

if you know anyone who has a copy of “Axe Makers of North America” from 1990, they are listed on page 99. Not much else out there. They are not in the DAT, so probably post 1900.

 

[saukit]

Thanks RTM. Those books seem to have achieved collector status and they are too expensive for my blood. I might try to get a copy from the library.

 

[RTM]

Don’t know your hood, but $120 is outa my league too. It’s very rare for WorldCat to help me, maybe it will help you.

Axe makers of North America (Book, 1990) [WorldCat.org]

Get this from a library! Axe makers of North America. [Allan Klenman]

www.worldcat.org

 

[saukit]

I'm in Seattle and they actually have one...now I just have to find my library card!

 

[d42jeep]

I found the Powr-Kraft axe in 2018 and the rusty Craftsman axe back in April. I installed a donor handle on the Powr-Kraft and de-rusted and tightened the handle on the Craftsman today. Any opinions on the age of the Craftsman?
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Any opinions on the age of the Craftsman?

I am probably not telling you, a Frequent Flipper of =V= tools, anything you don't already know, Don, but it's not earlier than 1948. Interesting letters ("M" and "E") on each side, almost like they separated the two letters of a typical two-letter code.

Cleaned up nicely.