Recovering Retro Axes

Edge tools are among the initial tool forms, with surviving primitive axes dated to 8000 B.C.. Early axes were produced by “wrapping” the red hot iron around a form, yielding the eye of the axe. The steel bit, introduced in the 18th century, was laid to the fold at the front end and hammered into an edge. The medial side opposite the bit was later extended in to a poll, for better balance and to supply a hammering surface.

The handles took on a number of shapes, some indicative or origin, others relating to function. Along the handle had more regarding the arc of the swing which was required. Felling axes took a complete swing and therefore needed the longest handles. Early axes have their handles fitted through the eye from the top down and the handles stay in place by locking to the taper of the eye, so they can be removed for sharpening.

Later axes, however, have their handles fit through the eye from the bottom up, and have a wedge driven in from the top. This permanently locks the handle to the axe and was much preferred by American woodsmen. Many axes found today have been discarded since the handle was split or broken off. In most cases they are available at a portion of their value and, with another handle, could be restored to their original condition. Most axe collectors have a stock of older flea-market handles which they use with this restoration. Like plane blades, axe handles may have been replaced 2 or 3 times through the entire life of the tool. Provided that the handle is “proper,” meaning, the best shape and length for the function, it won’t detract very much from its value.

Pricing of antique axes runs the entire gamut from several dollars a number of hundred. Types of well-made axes would range from the Plumb, White, Kelly, Miller and numerous others. Beyond they certainly were axes of sometimes lesser quality, but created to a cost, and sold by the thousands. Exceptional examples might include handmade axes, possibly from the neighborhood blacksmith, or from a factory that specialized in the handmade article, regardless of price.

There are many kinds of axes available such as for example:

SINGLE BIT FELLING AXE:

This axe is considered the workhorse of the axe family. It is just a simple design, varying from the 2 ½ lb. head utilized by campers to the 4 ½ to 7 lb. Viking axe  head used for forest work. There are heads found in lumbermen’s competition that are as much as 12lbs.. With the advent of the two-man crosscut saw, and later the energy chain saw, tree no further are taken down by axes. The axe is more a power tool for clearing branches off the downed tree, and splitting firewood.

DOUBLE BIT FELLING AXE:

Double bit axes will have straight handles, unlike any modern axe. Almost all axe handles are hickory. Hickory has both strength and spring, and was found very early to be the most effective for axe handles. Starting in the late 1800’s several axe manufactures adopted intricate logos which were embossed or etched on the top of the axe. Almost 200 different styles have now been identified currently and these have become an interesting collectible.

BROAD AXE:

The broad axe is not as common as the felling axe, and will be a lot larger. It’s purpose was to square up logs into beams. It used a much shorter swing that the felling axe, therefore required a much shorter handle. The identifying feature of a number of these axes may be the chisel edge, that allowed the back side of the axe to be dead flat. Because of this, it posed a problem of clearance for the hands. To help keep the hands from being scraped, the handle was canted or swayed far from the flat plane of the axe. This is actually the feature that will continually be looked for when buying a broad axe. If the edge is chisel-sharpened, then the handle must be swayed. Just like the felling axe, the broad axe heads have a number of patterns, mostly a consequence of geographical preference.

GOOSEWING AXE:

The goose wing axe is one of the very artistic looking tools available, and it requires it’s name from its resemblance to the wing of a goose in flight. It functions exactly as the chisel-edged broad axe, except that the American version has got the handle socket more heavily bent or canted up from the plane of the blade. These axes are large and difficult to forge. Many show cracks and repairs and a genuine handle is rare. Signed pieces, particularly by American makers, mostly Pennsylvania Dutch, are considerably more valuable. Also worth focusing on may be the difference in value between American and European axes, the American ones being worth considerably more. Several well-known 19th century American makers whose names appear imprinted on axes are Stohler, Stahler, Sener, Rohrbach, Addams, and L.& I.J. White.

Edge tools are among the initial tool forms, with surviving primitive axes dated to 8000 B.C.. Early axes were produced by “wrapping” the red hot iron around a form, yielding the eye of the axe. The steel bit, introduced in the 18th century, was laid to the fold at the front end and hammered into…

Edge tools are among the initial tool forms, with surviving primitive axes dated to 8000 B.C.. Early axes were produced by “wrapping” the red hot iron around a form, yielding the eye of the axe. The steel bit, introduced in the 18th century, was laid to the fold at the front end and hammered into…