A few new axe projects - digging through antique stores

cooperhill

cooperhill

Joined
Nov 14, 2011
Messages
1,018
I've been working on finishing up a few axe projects for friends. I've found these from a antique store down the street that is going out of business. 50% off! Most were purchased for $2 each. I've been experimenting with painting a few axes. Not something I'll do much of but figured I'd try it. Thanks for looking.

Plumb boy scout axe:




No name axe with bevels:


No name Yankee? pattern:



B&R Co. Axe: I'm up in the air over whether I like the painted bevels or not. Mostly done to amuse myself.



 
I was eyeing at the Plumb too. Is it a rafter?

Cooperhill, did you dip that yankee or spray it? I'm looking to paint a Great Neck head and am looking for tips.
 
The whole plumb thing confuses me too. The "newer" old plumb hatchets look like miniature rafter patterns, whereas the old ones look like a traditional hatchet. The one thing I've noticed is the "newer" old ones aren't actually stamped with the Scout fleur de lis, whereas the old are. Weird.

But nice work, especially on hanging it.
 
You do good work, Chris.

I've been curious about those Plumb patterns. Let us know how you like it if you have a chance.
 
The Plumb was picked up at the antique store (all I know about it) is not a hatchet but think classifies as a boy's axe. It has the fleur-de-lis. The back is champfered (I think that's the word) and looks similar to a rafter pattern but this axe is small. This one is going to a friend but I've tried it out and it splits well.

Also hung the red Yankee last night. Nick, used Red rustoleum spray paint. 2 coats. Dried it near the wood stove. It's stratching up a bit already.

 
That Plumb piece is a cedar pattern I do believe, originally developed in Texas area by a local blacksmith - due to its popularity it was then copied by many large manufacturers.
 
cooperhill said:
The Plumb was picked up at the antique store (all I know about it) is not a hatchet but think classifies as a boy's axe. It has the fleur-de-lis. The back is champfered (I think that's the word) and looks similar to a rafter pattern but this axe is small. This one is going to a friend but I've tried it out and it splits well.QUOTE]

I thought thought the Plumb in the first pick looked like an old plumb boy scout model, they had a mark stamped in to them/
Click to expand...
 
It does have the boy scout stamp on it, but the head design is not your typical scout head pattern, at least to me.

I have multiple Plumbs in this pattern, the wider/longer bit - I have a DefensAx with paper label on head and handle that looks just like this head pattern, then a Plumb victory, and a Plumb Guaranteed as well I do believe. It was a popular pattern, gave more bit length, therefore more strike area, and thus better efficiency overall. I always wondered if maybe it was made to compete with the norlund design and its popularity. Hard to say.
 
A few more finished shots of these axes.



Last one out of this bunch. Used a 20" straight handle. Cost on this - rehandled - was $10.







 
Those are some nice finds cooper. I've been wanting one of the Plumb boy's axe size heads like that one for a long time. Still searching..

Nice work on the restores and paint.
 
Operator1975 said:
It does have the boy scout stamp on it, but the head design is not your typical scout head pattern, at least to me.

I have multiple Plumbs in this pattern, the wider/longer bit - I have a DefensAx with paper label on head and handle that looks just like this head pattern, then a Plumb victory, and a Plumb Guaranteed as well I do believe. It was a popular pattern, gave more bit length, therefore more strike area, and thus better efficiency overall. I always wondered if maybe it was made to compete with the norlund design and its popularity. Hard to say.
Click to expand...

I think you're right about the HB pattern. Two of the four axe patterns Rutstrum illustrates in The New Way of the Wilderness (1958?) are traditional HB and Modified HB. The modified looks a lot like these Plumbs.

I wonder if the HB is a descendant of the Colonial period British belt axe. If you clipped the Jersey ears off the BBA, you'd be pretty close to the HB.

And Cooperhill, those are some great finds.
 
scrteened porch said:
I wonder if the HB is a descendant of the Colonial period British belt axe. If you clipped the Jersey ears off the BBA, you'd be pretty close to the HB.
Click to expand...

Hudson bays trace their lineage back to the trade axes that the Spanish and the French brought to North America in the 1500s. Everything you could possible want to know about HBs and trade axes can be found here. I take that back, there's always something new to be learned about axes!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top