4# Chemical Axe

[Cam T]

Picked this up for $2 at an estate sale. Swung it a couple of times and broke the handle, which was pretty sketchy to start with. A couple of questions. It came with a 24" straight handle. Could this be the stock handle or is it likely to have a different size/style handle. Any recommendations on a handle. The head weighs 4lbs, but from this forum the numbers punched into the head doesn't quite add up. Any thoughts on the numbers. I think it's a Dayton style is this correct? Lastly, it's stamped 1924 is it really almost 100 yrs old. Thanks.

 

[Square_peg]

The large numbers are something done aftermarket. Looks like a Dayton but it's awfully stubby for a 4 pound. Is it marked '4' or does it actually still weigh 4 pounds? Can we see a photo taken from the top?

 

[Cam T]

It weighs 4lbs. Here's a photo from the top. It is pretty stubby. I almost bought a full sized handle, but it looked odd.

 

[FLINT77]

It does look a little funny. Maybe it was originally a 5lb axe?

as for handle, that's 100% personal preference. straight vs. bent. and length can be anything from 28" - 36". Over time I figured out that I prefer handles in the 30" +/- 1" range.

How do you intend to use it? that can help determine handle type.

 

[Trailsawyer]

I would agree that your axe probably was a 5#.
All of my rafting axes are on straight handles, and the length varies with the intended use. I have from 20 to 30" for primarily driving falling wedges, and 30 to 36" for splitting, or if your falling big timber!

 

[Cam T]

It does look a little funny. Maybe it was originally a 5lb axe?

as for handle, that's 100% personal preference. straight vs. bent. and length can be anything from 28" - 36". Over time I figured out that I prefer handles in the 30" +/- 1" range.

How do you intend to use it? that can help determine handle type

Splitting. My current axe is an old craftsman and in comparison to this axe it is much skinnier and I now realize it's probably more for felling, which explains why it has tendency to get stuck.

 

[Axcentric]

Picked this up for $2 at an estate sale. Swung it a couple of times and broke the handle, which was pretty sketchy to start with. A couple of questions. It came with a 24" straight handle. Could this be the stock handle or is it likely to have a different size/style handle. Any recommendations on a handle. The head weighs 4lbs, but from this forum the numbers punched into the head doesn't quite add up. Any thoughts on the numbers. I think it's a Dayton style is this correct? Lastly, it's stamped 1924 is it really almost 100 yrs old. Thanks.

The old axes, or old steel, in my experience, seems to be more dense. A seemingly small head tips the scales past what a similarly sized modern equivalent does. 1924 is the date of manufacture. And yes, it shows what 50 years of use plus 50 years of sitting looks like. It most definitely started its life heavier and with a lot more steel at the edge. Nice find. Do you have any pictures of the back side?