- Joined
- Aug 31, 2012
- Messages
- 390
I finally found something at an antique store over the weekend that called out to me. This little Craftsman "double oval" broad hatchet has obviously seen better days but looked like an interesting and somewhat challenging project.
I don't know much about the history of Craftsman axes/hatchets and have been trying to find a little bit about them, without much luck. I began by trying to put a date range on the "double oval" stamp. I have seen claims on ebay of late 1920's and 1930's and even 1950's but have yet to see solid proof of the date range for this particular stamp. I thought I had run across a list of different Craftsman stamps and the corresponding dates on this forum but can't find it now. I bet one or more of you know when this broad axe could have been produced.
Here is what it looked like right after getting it home.
I wonder what was used to beat it onto a haft or in an attempt to tighten it up?
It only took a couple taps on the wedge that was poking out about a half inch above the wood to get it to come loose and basically fall out. Literally it took all of two seconds to remove the 16" hammer handle from the head.
Here we have the beveled edge that is going to take some file work to bring back to life.
And here is the flat side of the hatchet. Umm, was some idiot trying to make this into a double beveled hatchet?
I didn't really mean to spend 3 hours with a file working on the flat side of this hatchet that first night but what started as taking off a little bit of mushroom marks on the sides of the head turned into a full blown 3 hour filing session. I figure I have about another hour of work on the flat side before I flip it and work on the bevel. Here are the results so far.
Yes I know, I need a vise. I almost picked up a medium sized Columbian (made in the U.S.A) vise at the same antique shop that looked to be in good condition except for the bent handle. It was only $30 which is the cheapest price I have seen on a vise of that size so far. Anyway, its gettting flat and I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel at this point.
One other thing, I have never owned nor used a broad hatchet so I am not sure how much curve I need in the edge. Does this look about right or should I try to make it more straight. Please feel free to post up a pic of an unmolested version of this or similar broad hatchet for comparison.
At this point I think I will take it over to the shop for more filing work. I will also be looking for material for the haft which brings up more questions to add to this lengthy post. I am thinking the haft should be 14"-16". Does that sound about right? I am not sure the weight of this hatchet but will be weighing it when I get over to the shop. Whats a good shape for a broad hatchet haft? How much offset (bend) does the haft typically have?
Will post more as progress is made.
I don't know much about the history of Craftsman axes/hatchets and have been trying to find a little bit about them, without much luck. I began by trying to put a date range on the "double oval" stamp. I have seen claims on ebay of late 1920's and 1930's and even 1950's but have yet to see solid proof of the date range for this particular stamp. I thought I had run across a list of different Craftsman stamps and the corresponding dates on this forum but can't find it now. I bet one or more of you know when this broad axe could have been produced.
Here is what it looked like right after getting it home.
I wonder what was used to beat it onto a haft or in an attempt to tighten it up?
It only took a couple taps on the wedge that was poking out about a half inch above the wood to get it to come loose and basically fall out. Literally it took all of two seconds to remove the 16" hammer handle from the head.
Here we have the beveled edge that is going to take some file work to bring back to life.
And here is the flat side of the hatchet. Umm, was some idiot trying to make this into a double beveled hatchet?
I didn't really mean to spend 3 hours with a file working on the flat side of this hatchet that first night but what started as taking off a little bit of mushroom marks on the sides of the head turned into a full blown 3 hour filing session. I figure I have about another hour of work on the flat side before I flip it and work on the bevel. Here are the results so far.
Yes I know, I need a vise. I almost picked up a medium sized Columbian (made in the U.S.A) vise at the same antique shop that looked to be in good condition except for the bent handle. It was only $30 which is the cheapest price I have seen on a vise of that size so far. Anyway, its gettting flat and I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel at this point.
One other thing, I have never owned nor used a broad hatchet so I am not sure how much curve I need in the edge. Does this look about right or should I try to make it more straight. Please feel free to post up a pic of an unmolested version of this or similar broad hatchet for comparison.
At this point I think I will take it over to the shop for more filing work. I will also be looking for material for the haft which brings up more questions to add to this lengthy post. I am thinking the haft should be 14"-16". Does that sound about right? I am not sure the weight of this hatchet but will be weighing it when I get over to the shop. Whats a good shape for a broad hatchet haft? How much offset (bend) does the haft typically have?
Will post more as progress is made.
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