Ancient D. SIMMONS broad axe

O

Oldaxe

Joined
Feb 21, 2016
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Hello all. I have this ancient D. SIMMONS broad axe which from what I understand was likely made in the mid 1800s. It is in what I would consider to be great shape for its age. Eventually Id like to get it back to work doing what it was made to do.
But before a full restoration/rehang happens I have some questions regarding the handle. It is hung in a way I have not seen before. No kerf in the handle for a wedge, it is just stuck in the eye and held in place by a flat steel wedge on the side. See pictures. Was this common practice back in the old days? Is it possible this is an original handle? May end up leaving it be if it could be original.
If only this axe could talk.
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Yes I see quite a few broadaxes with one wedge to the side so the handle can be removed. The ones I've seen were wood though. That's a nice one.
 
Ahh that makes sense that it is reversible. Nice little design feature there. It is very tight- there is no play whatsoever.
 
Yes, many broadaxes were hung like that. It is not my favorite hang for a broadaxe. I like mine kerfed and with a wood wedge. I had an original once that the kerf and wedge were on a diagonal in the eye socket. It worked well though. D. Simmons was a excellent quality broadaxe. Yours is a Pennsylvania pattern. The haft is the right shape and length. The condition says to me that everything could be orginal. Nice find. To see a right handed broadaxe like yours at work look at the recent video post on early hewing and logging. Also look at the "An Ax to Grind" manual and a video "These old cabin logs"
 
Forgot. O. P. Link handles at one time listed three broadaxe handles- right handed-left handed-reversible. All three were 36" to be cut to users length and there was no kerf or wedge supplied. If, like me, you wanted kerf and wedge you did it yourself, or if you like it hung the way yours is hung you could do it that way. I got one of their reversible handles once as I hew both left and right handed. It worked loose on me and cut production time too much to suit me.
 
Just some thoughts on why someone would want a reversible hewing axe - for those not familiar with the process.

It's best to hew from top to bottom of the tree. You get less splintering and a smoother finish. The grain tends to run up toward the surface rather than down into the log when hewing in this direction. So once you've done one side of the log you have to either hew the other side backwards, roll the log or switch to an opposite-handed broadaxe. Often times a 'tie hack' or other hewer couldn't afford more than one broadaxe. Reversing the axe solves the problem. This also serves to spread the wear between both the heel and toe and prolong the useful life of the axe.
 
If only this axe could talk.

I always think the same thing whenever I see a old, well used knife or axe. I wonder where its been, the people and things it's seen.

Nice!
 
Oldaxe said:
Hello all. I have this ancient D. SIMMONS broad axe which from what I understand was likely made in the mid 1800s.
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Click to expand...

Any chance the stamp says J. CIMMONS & CO instead of Simmons? At least that's the way I read it.
 
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