36" single bit axe I have just rehung. (Pic Heavy!)

R

Remzy

Joined
Feb 7, 2015
Messages
373
Hello guys, I just finished hanging another axe, oddly enough, this is my first full lenght 36inches single bit axe!

its a no-mark single bit that was only stamped with "A6" which makes me think it was a kelly woodslasher with paper label or something along that line, could not see any remnant of paint as it was most likely vinegar bathed by the guy who sold it to me via the bay. I also added my personnal touch to the head ;)

Hope you like the handle, ive used a garant handle and modified it quite a bit to get the shape and the fawn's foot like i wanted. Ive used one exactly like the handle pictured, it had some sort of yellow rubber paint over the swell so you can imagine my surprise when i found the knot under it! I really dig it, adds alot of character and will never interfere with perfomances.

Anyhow, enjoy and tell me who you think made it! also, whats the patern? thanks.

regards,
Remy
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Looks great. The knot adds great character if you ask me. I think that's a MI pattern near as I can tell, and as poor as I am with IDing patterns.
 
From what I've heard the letter-number designations are military. Appears to be a True Temper for sure.
 
Sweet hang. There's some character in that swell.

I have an axe marked A6. It's a True Temper and it has a hardened poll. One of my favorite axes. But mines a Dayton not a Michigan like yours.
 
The hang is really nice, but the most impressive thing to me is the transformation of that handle.
 
Thanks guys, i like the full fawns foot but to be honest, i think this is my first and last one, it was a B**** to drive the head all the way in without ruining the fawns foot, ugh! even if it looks great and elegant, i doubt it was Worth the trouble as someone someday will most likely chip it when banging it against the floor... heheh

Michigan patern eh? what are they usually used for? soft wood? the temper does not look super deep, its about 1 1/2 inch deep.
 
Square_peg said:
Sweet hang. There's some character in that swell.

I have an axe marked A6. It's a True Temper and it has a hardened poll. One of my favorite axes. But mines a Dayton not a Michigan like yours.
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Does go to show that rubber-painted butts are perfect for hiding any inspection of end grain! In your case no harm done as there is very little stress at that end of the handle but I'd bet you'd have left it on the store shelf were there others on hand that weren't like this.

Side-track; Square_Peg you contacted me via forum notification feature this week but I'll be darned if I can figure out a way to respond, that actually works. My ordinary address is bertvaningen53@gmail.com I would like to take you up on your offer.
 
Remzy said:
Thanks guys, i like the full fawns foot but to be honest, i think this is my first and last one, it was a B**** to drive the head all the way in without ruining the fawns foot, ugh! even if it looks great and elegant, i doubt it was Worth the trouble as someone someday will most likely chip it when banging it against the floor... heheh

Michigan patern eh? what are they usually used for? soft wood? the temper does not look super deep, its about 1 1/2 inch deep.
Click to expand...

My theory on the Michigan pattern single bit is we in Michigan like to use our axes for a lot of pounding, and the rounded poll doesn't mushroom as quickly as other patterns.
 
halfaxe said:
My theory on the Michigan pattern single bit is we in Michigan like to use our axes for a lot of pounding, and the rounded poll doesn't mushroom as quickly as other patterns.
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Never having been a fan of Michigans (solely because of the rounded polls) I can certainly see your point of view on this, and it makes perfect sense.
 
halfaxe said:
My theory on the Michigan pattern single bit is we in Michigan like to use our axes for a lot of pounding, and the rounded poll doesn't mushroom as quickly as other patterns.
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that would explain the round poll, indeed.
 
300Six said:
Does go to show that rubber-painted butts are perfect for hiding any inspection of end grain! In your case no harm done as there is very little stress at that end of the handle but I'd bet you'd have left it on the store shelf were there others on hand that weren't like this.
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Actually, 300, i might just have picked it up anyways as i like the way it looks and the grain orientation was near perfect. Good grain handles are hard to find enough as is! hehe
 
Remzy said:
Thanks guys, i like the full fawns foot but to be honest, i think this is my first and last one, it was a B**** to drive the head all the way in without ruining the fawns foot, ugh! even if it looks great and elegant, i doubt it was Worth the trouble as someone someday will most likely chip it when banging it against the floor... heheh

Michigan patern eh? what are they usually used for? soft wood? the temper does not look super deep, its about 1 1/2 inch deep.
Click to expand...

When using a "brought on" haft, I like to clip that flat from the fawn's foot as well, but I always hang the axe before I clip it off.

Nice Hang, Remzy!
 
I have a couple of those Garant handles in my basement. They are about all you can get in Alberta - those and Truper, which always have a ton of wood that needs rasping off. You did a great job there. I really like it when an unusual grain or knot show up! You do great work!
 
Remzy I am presuming that you live near Quebec City. If this is the case the Garant factory, and where axe handles are made, is about 40-50 km to the east of you on route 228 in Saint-Francois-de-la-Riviere-du-Sud. On behalf of the forum, and for your own interest, you might just want to tour the place with a camera in hand!
 
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300Six said:
Remzy I am presuming that you live near Quebec City. If this is the case the Garant factory, and where axe handles are made, is about 40-50 km to the east of you on route 228 in Saint-Francois-de-la-Riviere-du-Sud. On behalf of the forum, and for your own interest, you might just want to tour the place with a camera in hand!
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I JUST finished sending Garant's rep a email asking to tour their axe handle making factory with a camera, my chances are slim as here in Québec, syndicate and insurance companies tend to complicate everything but there is still a chance that maybe i could tour and video it, who knows... ill try to see what could be done ;)
 
Remzy said:
I JUST finished sending Garant's rep a email asking to tour their axe handle making factory with a camera, my chances are slim as here in Québec, syndicate and insurance companies tend to complicate everything but there is still a chance that maybe i could tour and video it, who knows... ill try to see what could be done ;)
Click to expand...

Unique to the world of commerce (except maybe in France) the entire construction and manufacturing industry in Province of Quebec closes down for one week mid-July every year. Maybe one of the office staff or sales reps can sneak you into the factory then.
It sure would be nice to be able to hand-pick your own handles!
 
Remzy said:
Thanks guys, i like the full fawns foot but to be honest, i think this is my first and last one, it was a B**** to drive the head all the way in without ruining the fawns foot, ugh! even if it looks great and elegant, i doubt it was Worth the trouble as someone someday will most likely chip it when banging it against the floor... heheh
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Two words.


Rubber mallet.


Hit the fawns foot with the mallet and the axe head will be drawn up onto the haft. A white rubber mallet leaves no marks behind. I use one every time.
 
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