Cleaned up an old Plumb Half Axe head over the past few days

[Noswad0208]

Here's what it looked like when I got it. (Sorry for the extremely crappy pic, it's the best I could do at the time and I forgot to take any better ones)

Here it is now after a two day vinegar bath, a lot of sanding, and filing off the roughest pieces that were dinged out of place.

The only problem is that I can't find a handle that seems right for it. It has such a small eye that a long hammer handle would fit, but it's tear drop shaped like most hatchet/axe eyes, so I can't find any handles that will work well.

 

[Square_peg]

Try a riggers axe handle.

 

[Square_peg]

And that's a great little hatchet.

 

[Noswad0208]

I'll check that out.

Thanks!

 

[Noswad0208]

Also could anyone put a date on it? I know it's hard without the original handle, I'm just looking for a general time frame.

 

[Jak3]

Cool! I have two just like that both with original handles, though the handles are cracked and would need to be replaced if I planned on using them.

 

[Noswad0208]

Cool! I have two just like that both with original handles, though the handles are cracked and would need to be replaced if I planned on using them.

Awesome! Would you mind posting a pic of yours? I'd like to put a handle on it that's similar to the original.

 

[300Six]

The PLUMB trademark within a rectangle border was initiated in 1917 and was fully implemented by 1920. Beyond that it's not likely a tool from 1960 and up because lathe and plaster were obsolete, commercial scaffolding had become modular, and electric tools for cutting and trimming were taking over the workplace. It's possible a cedar shake/shingle roofer used this well into the 1980s but I doubt it.

 

[Noswad0208]

The PLUMB trademark within a rectangle border was initiated in 1917 and was fully implemented by 1920. Beyond that it's not likely a tool from 1960 and up because lathe and plaster were obsolete, commercial scaffolding had become modular, and electric tools for cutting and trimming were taking over the workplace. It's possible a cedar shake/shingle roofer used this well into the 1980s but I doubt it.

Good to know. :thumbup: Thanks for the info.

 

[Hickory n steel]

The PLUMB trademark within a rectangle border was initiated in 1917 and was fully implemented by 1920. Beyond that it's not likely a tool from 1960 and up because lathe and plaster were obsolete, commercial scaffolding had become modular, and electric tools for cutting and trimming were taking over the workplace. It's possible a cedar shake/shingle roofer used this well into the 1980s but I doubt it.

I don't get what you're saying, half hatchets are still available on every hardware store shelf today and are still made by Vaughan, estwing, and are still being sold under the plumb name.

 

[300Six]

I don't get what you're saying, half hatchets are still available on every hardware store shelf today and are still made by Vaughan, estwing, and are still being sold under the plumb name.

Kids, adventurers, hunters and hobbyists may still be buying these but the professional market for them dried up a long time ago. I take it you're gonna suppose that axes (whether Boutique, pedestrian, or offshore junk) are still aimed at commercial loggers and foresters?

 

[garry3]

Lathing hatchets had thinner, narrower blades and a milled face.

 

[300Six]

Lathing hatchets had thinner, narrower blades and a milled face.

Tell that to the financially struggling apprentices and/or rookies that were gifted or otherwise didn't pay full pop nor considered buying new. Hammer head at one end and blade at the other; thank you!

 

[Steve Tall]

Also could anyone put a date on it? I know it's hard without the original handle, I'm just looking for a general time frame.

Similar-looking half-hatchets (but with Permabond) appear in this Plumb catalog with price lists from 1964 and 1965. Two sizes: Item 2961 (3-1/4" bit) and Item 2962 (3-5/8" bit). 13" and 13-1/2" handles, respectively.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzJxodHACRRuVXYyTDdZaWM2WTQ/view?pli=1

 

[Jak3]

Here. I hope this helps a little. I will take some better ones tomorrow but at the moment this is all I have.

 

[Noswad0208]

Here. I hope this helps a little. I will take some better ones tomorrow but at the moment this is all I have.

Great, thank you!

 

[garry3]

This is what Collins look like.

These are supposed to fit. I have not tried them for half hatchets myself.
A well stocked hardware store would have them. I think well stocked hardware stores are going extinct though.
https://www.househandle.com/products.html#shingling

 

[Square_peg]

Similar-looking half-hatchets (but with Permabond) appear in this Plumb catalog with price lists from 1964 and 1965. Two sizes: Item 2961 (3-1/4" bit) and Item 2962 (3-5/8" bit). 13" and 13-1/2" handles, respectively.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzJxodHACRRuVXYyTDdZaWM2WTQ/view?pli=1

We need a 'best of the axe forum' sticky post for stuff like this. All this info could be linked to in one thread that is locked and controlled by a moderator. A mod could add a reply for each manufacturer. Any important documents for that manufacturer would be added the individual post/list for that manufacturer. I could host any documents that needed to be up on the web.

 

[garry3]

We need a 'best of the axe forum' sticky post for stuff like this. All this info could be linked to in one thread that is locked and controlled by a moderator. A mod could add a reply for each manufacturer. Any important documents for that manufacturer would be added the individual post/list for that manufacturer. I could host any documents that needed to be up on the web.

Sticky for advertisements and catalogs would be great.:thumbup:

 

[Square_peg]

Exactly!