Black Raven w/ Unique Univ Calif stamp and date

B

bmcameron

Joined
Jan 24, 2016
Messages
2
Hello everyone,

I figured this axe was a suitable way to make my first post. I came across this today in my hometown. Apparently it was laying in a barn. I have struck out on finding any information regarding it's origin. I suspect it has something to do with football, but that's really just a guess. It also appears to have it's original haft. I suspect it is worth a pretty penny, given it's excellent condition. Any leads would be much appreciated!

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That is awesome!

Judging by the handle size I think it may be a 'cruiser' axe, typically about 2-1/2 pound head. It wouldn't surprise me if that is the original haft.

You have a very unusual piece in great condition. I'd be shocked if it didn't get at least $300 on ebay. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if it exceeded that.

Can we see a picture of the whole axe and haft?

DON'T DO A THING TO IT.
 
Copy check roger not doing a thing!

I will post a picture of the entire axe asap. Do you know of any resources that could help me identify the origin of the bit? I'm having a lot of difficulty finding anything out.
 
That is pretty cool! I bet somebody at Cal would know the history of the item.
 
pjwoolw said:
That is pretty cool! I bet somebody at Cal would know the history of the item.
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That would be the only possibility. Contact the library at UCLA and see what they suggest. They should have copies of the school newspaper from that year. One of those papers will have info. With any luck they will have all been digitized and are searchable.
 
That is awesome. Quite a find, good luck with the research - this one sounds like it'll be fun to dig into. You've got yourself a mystery to solve.
 
Google "stanford axe". The wikipedia entry on it has some background on the history of it. Tracking down the specific story on "your" axe will take more dogging.

And it is UC Berkley, not UCLA being referenced if this is a nod toward the Stanford axe. The original axe and the one on the trophy board that is exchange was not and is not a double bit.
 
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My guess is that its origins are from the "Cal Forestry Club" at the University of California, Berkeley. Perhaps their publications archives will have the answer, as Square_Peg suggested.

"Students in the School of Forestry have produced three unique publications over the years. The first issue of "California Forestry" appeared in 1917 but has since been discontinued. The Forestry Club also published an "Axe Chips" magazine every three weeks from January, 1933 to April 29, 1943 which is also no longer continued. The "Timber", a magazine rather than a newspaper, appeared from 1957 to 1963. The current incarnation of Timber is that of an annual yearbook highlighting the club's activities and achievements over the past academic year. We are currently in an ongoing process of digitizing all historical archives and making them accessible online."
https://nature.berkeley.edu/forestryclub/timber

They have a Logging Sports team:
https://nature.berkeley.edu/forestryclub/cal-logging-sports
 
Any chance that U Calif and American Fork & Hoe Co. were part of a mutually benefiting venture to encourage/entice future business accountants, engineers and metallurgists? The stylized handshake motif is what prompts me to suggest this. In today's world most prestigious universities team up with private companies so as to be able to offer relevant and paying 'cooperative education' postings for their undergraduates. All parties win in this way and it's easy to see a commemorative axe (Black Ravens were decorative but also production line axes) being awarded to a student upon completion of a successful work term with a large company such as American Fork & Hoe.
 
I reckon Steve Tall is close to the answer involving the UC Berkeley forestry school. UC Davis also has a big ag school, but not so forestry oriented, and may not have come along until after '37.
 
Operator1975 said:
Well Well Well. You contact me if you want to part ways with that.

Nice piece no doubt.
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If it were mine, which it ain't, I would put it on eBay. No way I would ever use it because, I could buy a really nice user axe, and a nice truck for what it's potentially worth.:)
 
Beautiful. I'd love to pick up a Black Raven thats in decent shape. But they cost as much as a custom ax now.
 
quinton said:
If it were mine, which it ain't, I would put it on eBay. No way I would ever use it because, I could buy a really nice user axe, and a nice truck for what it's potentially worth.:)
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A nice truck? Quinton I had you figured for more of a pair of mules and a wagon kinda guy :)

Ebay is the place to go for it to bring top dollar, this one would sure bring a pretty penny!
 
rockman0 said:
A nice truck? Quinton I had you figured for more of a pair of mules and a wagon kinda guy :)

Ebay is the place to go for it to bring top dollar, this one would sure bring a pretty penny!
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Been there, done that. These days I can put a truck in gear faster than a team in gear..and this time of year horses get that look in there eyes when you raise their tail for the crupper!:D
 
quinton said:
Been there, done that. These days I can put a truck in gear faster than a team in gear..and this time of year horses get that look in there eyes when you raise their tail for the crupper!:D
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Haha, all true!
 
Hi there. I am the one in possession of the Black Raven Axe. I am in touch with the head research librarian at U.C. Berkeley.
I am eventually going to sell it for my Nephew, who did in fact find it in a barn. Im considering, putting it on Ebay. Any thoughts?
Bidwellboy
 
bidwellboy said:
Hi there. I am the one in possession of the Black Raven Axe. I am in touch with the head research librarian at U.C. Berkeley.
I am eventually going to sell it for my Nephew, who did in fact find it in a barn. Im considering, putting it on Ebay. Any thoughts?
Bidwellboy
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Very nice one sir..! Good luck with it..;)
 
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