Rafting axes - ah the lore, mystery and subsequent price that comes along with them now.
What is it about these beasts? Why? Is it worth it?
As 300six and SquarePeg have talked about already, these axes weren't overall very popular back in the hey day of axes. They cost more to make, were larger, heavier, harder to use, and weren't usually utilized as an axe, as most would use an axe anyway.
They were more specialized tools to give options, my new favorite word as of late. With this rafting/construction/modified miner axe the person had certain options a person with a normal axe didn't - first and foremost being the hardened poll for having a sledge with you to bash whatever you got into, especially in a mining situation. These are of course to not be confused with a miners axe.
Miners axe, according to the Kelly Catalog #30 (date up for debate still) state that miner axes come with the following -
22 or 26 inch straight handle, usually in dayton pattern, and 3 1/2 lb - but can come in assorted weights of 3 to 4, 3 1/4 to 3 3/4, 3 1/2 to 4 1/2, or 4 to 5 lbs, and may be had in any desired standard single bit pattern, in assorted or solid weights. Got to love options. There is no mention of hardened poll.
Rafting Axes are also shown - Flint Edge - 5 lb only, unhandled. No mention of hardened poll either. These were usually on a 36 inch handle due to the overall weight of the head, but I am sure guys put them on smaller lengths, especially for mining tasks.
1904 American Ax and Tool Co Catalog - rafting axes listed in Red Warrior brand only, steel or iron poll, no weight or haft mentioned.
So, these rafting axes were also popular for driving log dogs, wedges, and various spikes and hooks for floating logs down river, as again you could pound and not mushroom the poll. Popular with river rats, rat dogs, (guys who worked the logs down river) as well. Obvious application in mining and construction uses.
After WW2, many axe manufacturers were feeling the crunch as demand went down, chainsaw was incoming heavy and hot, and the need for 500 patterns of axes wasn't needed, and most manufacturers cut way back (Plumb went down to 72 patterns post WW2). I would assume the rafting axe probably felt the crunch of this, and it just wasn't needed like it used to be.
A great specialized axe that many people like. Now used mostly for splitting wood, many claim that it is a wonderful splitter, and I am sure that is the case, and it has all the signs, shapes, and geometry for one. More importantly it gives a guy the option to go pound stakes, etc and not mushroom the poll. Got to love options.
I have a Flint Edge, Vulcan, and one other true rafter around, they are quite the specimens no doubt.
