Another Head Pattern I.D.

A head with outline of the label (or could that have been an auction tape/sticker?), and that looks to be un-used, begs the question; how on earth could the poll wind up being chipped all over? It'd have had to experience a fair bit of abuse to do that and you'd expect to see some other evidence of dimples, dings and welts.
 
300Six said:
A head with outline of the label (or could that have been an auction tape/sticker?), and that looks to be un-used, begs the question; how on earth could the poll wind up being chipped all over? It'd have had to experience a fair bit of abuse to do that and you'd expect to see some other evidence of dimples, dings and welts.
Click to expand...

I see what you are saying. Maybe it was bought or kept as a loose head for most of it's life. Storage or transport with other hardened tools? Being dropped from a work bench repeatedly? Maybe it wasn't the thing doing the smashing - someone used a hardened hammer or something on it instead?

Maybe it was handled originally, bought and kept for its hardened poll and used to drive something at an angle - never to really be used as a chopper?

Careless dropping on rocky terrain when putting it down between uses? Used on something like concrete - like to shave overflow cement from a formed pour or a block wall?


This is all just all invented and probably far-fetched. Your comment made me look at it again.

If it is hardened I don't think I would use it as a hammer - but then again, it's not mine.

It will make an attractive axe. :thumbup:
 
A cynic, 300six, I like it! It's clearly used. Look at the slight mushrooming o the poll and the chips on the edge:





I think the size, shape and location of the sticker might be a question for Steve Tall

 
Here's another plumb plucked off the internet with a worn off sticker. It's on the same side and roughly in the same place and size.



Caption: File marks on a vintage Plumb ax head, circa 1950. This old ax was found in new, unused condition.
 
Steve Tall said:
I think it's the number of quarters, as in 3 and 2 quarters. (Reminds me of how old drill bits were labelled in sixteenths, so a number 12 bit is 3/4.)
Click to expand...

Good thinking Steve!. This is a revelation I'd have never come up with. I've seen quite a few of 3 2s up until now but would like to see if this theory holds up. Any other Plumbs out there with weight stamps other than 2, 3, 4 or 5?
Common sizes 2 1/4 lb would definitely confirm listing by quarters if it showed as 2 1 and 1 3/4 lb as 1 3.
 
I received the Kentucky head. Square_Peg was right, it's a little better than I expected. It's about 95% rust free. I was wrong about the mushrooming too, it's not there, just some very small chips. I'm practicing my filing on a cheap Japanese "Boss" maul and a utility ax.

I also have a 4 1/2 lb. Plumb Jet Wing on the way. There is surprisingly little on the forum about them, anybody know anything about them? I know there's a plumb thread but I can't find it. I tried searching "Plumb Thread" and Plumb Manufacturers thread" and got zip.
 
Jet Wing origins appear to be from 1954. They were still being made in the early 1970s. First few years they wouldn't have featured Permabond.
 
I don't have it yet. There's still wood in it, but there wasn't a pic of the top of the eye so so I don't know if it's permabond, I suspect it is based on the reddish handle, bummer. I didn't put that together before i bought it. Is the permabond a less quality head? I need to slow down buying ax heads or a divorce is in my future.
 
vcbvcbvcb said:
... I don't know if it's permabond, I suspect it is based on the reddish handle, bummer...
Click to expand...

The Jet Wings were probably without permabond for 1 or 2 years, tops. Plumb axes had reddish handles even before Permabond was introduced. I've heard that Permabond can be a pain to remove for re-handling, but that wouldn't stop me from buying a Plumb axe from the 50s or 60s.

300Six said:
...There are available 2 separately framed magazine ads for Jet Wing axes. The 1956 ad features Permabond whereas the 1954 ad makes no mention of it...
Click to expand...

Here are the Plumb axe ads reportedly from 1954 (pre-Permabond) and 1956 (with Permabond). Note the red handles.

1954:
4b203afd13e26_110038n.jpg


1956:
1956%20Tool%20Ad%20Plumb%20Jet%20Wing%20Wood%20handle_1.jpg
 
Steve Tall said:
Here are the Plumb axe ads reportedly from 1954 (pre-Permabond) and 1956 (with Permabond). Note the red handles.

1954:
4b203afd13e26_110038n.jpg


1956:
1956%20Tool%20Ad%20Plumb%20Jet%20Wing%20Wood%20handle_1.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for grabbing these images Steve. Between dated catalogues and dated magazine ads we're becoming more and more capable of deducing history and timeframes of axe patterns and manufacture.
 
300Six said:
Doesn't matter how that head was attached. It is in dire need of a new handle!
Click to expand...

I'd try to save it :). Not really...

Seriously, I've been thinking about the color on the Plumb handles. It is called "mohogany" (SP?) and red, etc. Minwax makes a tinted polyurethane finish called polyshades that has some close variants, and that seems to be the type of finish on most of the Plumbs I've seen. I've used it to tint finish on longrifles, mixed with spar varnish and oil to make it more elastic. Cut with thinner, it makes a wiping varnish that builds a color coat fairly quickly. Just an idea for somebody trying to replicate the finish on an Plumb with a new handle. I know I've seen Permabond kits, also, but no idea if they still make them.

Vcb^3,
Nice find. Kentucky pattern is harder to find than others.
 
BG_Farmer said:
I'd try to save it :). Not really...

Seriously, I've been thinking about the color on the Plumb handles. It is called "mahogany" and red, etc. Minwax makes a tinted polyurethane finish called polyshades that has some close variants, and that seems to be the type of finish on most of the Plumbs I've seen. I've used it to tint finish on longrifles, mixed with spar varnish and oil to make it more elastic. Cut with thinner, it makes a wiping varnish that builds a color coat fairly quickly. Just an idea for somebody trying to replicate the finish on an Plumb with a new handle. I know I've seen Permabond kits, also, but no idea if they still make them.
Click to expand...

Plumb did call it a 'mahoganized' finish when they applied for the copyright/patent/trademark of black heads and red handles back in 1920. Certainly that colour would be a fitting touch to any Plumb refurbishment.
 
300six, I just realized what your user name meant, took me long enough. I've had the same one for 40 years and love it. Re. the ax, I thought I'd cut the handle short and make a hatchet.

BG_Farmer, I'd been looking for a Kentucky, however I kind of gave up because there were never any for sale. I wasn't sure what it was, but It didn't look like a Jersey or a Rockaway. I grabbed it because it was different, and in good shape, I got lucky.
 
vcbvcbvcb said:
300six, I just realized what your user name meant, took me long enough. I've had the same one for 40 years and love it.
Click to expand...

Darn, only had mine for 31 years but it's never been opened, burns no oil and is about to turn 1/2 million km and has never left me at the side of the road.
 
Oh man, senility has struck. I thought it meant 30/06. Mine doesn't burn oil either, then again it's a bolt-action. I'm going to go lay down now.
 
vcbvcbvcb said:
This is the beast in question, it's 4 lbs. 13 oz. with wood:

Click to expand...

I am curious if it is Permabond. That would explain no picture of the eye. I can't think of another reason to ship it with 1/3 of a broken handle - larger box/odd shape.

Or maybe the seller thought it was important to leave it in its original state? Did shipping seem high compared to a head only?
 
I got it today. Yup, it's Permabond. How do I figure out if it's an older desirable head or a newer less desirable head?

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top