DirtDawg
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Ha! And miss a chance to play with one of my toys? Nope, not happening my friend.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Photos Estwing
- Thread starter Miller '72
- Start date
DirtDawg
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SHOWCASING: "Cruciform Tang" Scout Axe, Circa 1924-1927?
See photo captions for additional information.
As many of us are familiar with the early 1923-24 Util-Ax models, and since I don't have any examples yet, I'll skip over to what seems to have followed the original wood handled Scout Axe. I call it the the Cruciform because the cross-section of the tang is of a cruciform shape - that is, shaped like a plus sign - like the split-leather stacked handle of the Util-Ax but with fully encapsulated leather discs and an end cap that is peened on.
When I first spotted this axe listing in the bay, I questioned its validity. I had not run across this particular configuration previously, and first wondered if it was a modified Util-Ax. Then I remembered seeing some ads that showed an odd looking end cap illustration, somewhat in the form of a plus sign, or cross. After careful examination of posted images, and researching the old ads thoroughly, I concluded that it was in fact the real deal. A bit of negotiating with the seller landed it on my doorstep.
I'm still trying to fill in some blanks with affordable examples from the Util-Ax series, but the key word "affordable" seems to be non-existent, so those are on the back burner for now. In the meantime, here's a quick rundown on this early model Estwing Scout Axe.
Stacked Leather - Cruciform Tang - Scout Axe
Hand-crafted leather sheath.
Cruciform cross-section.
Although the stacked leather is cracked down the side of the handle, I'll be leaving it as is. It seems quite solid on the tang, and I just don't wish to disturb it at this time.
Take note: The sheath lacing is made with steel wire. And that leather is quite thick. I can only imagine what was going through his head, as that old-timer fabricated it, obviously using whatever materials he had on hand at the time.
For reference - Look closely at the end cap in the following illustrations:
1926 - Hardware Age 1926-03-18 Vol-117, Iss-11 Page 6 Cruciform Scout Ax
1926 - Hardware Age 1926-5-13 Vol-117, Iss-19 Page 36
1926 - Hardware Age 1926-03-18 Vol-117, Iss-11 Page 6
1925 - Likely earliest date published - Half Hatchet - Cruciform
1925 - Hardware Age 1925-12-17 Vol 116 Iss 25 Page 63-B
See photo captions for additional information.
As many of us are familiar with the early 1923-24 Util-Ax models, and since I don't have any examples yet, I'll skip over to what seems to have followed the original wood handled Scout Axe. I call it the the Cruciform because the cross-section of the tang is of a cruciform shape - that is, shaped like a plus sign - like the split-leather stacked handle of the Util-Ax but with fully encapsulated leather discs and an end cap that is peened on.
When I first spotted this axe listing in the bay, I questioned its validity. I had not run across this particular configuration previously, and first wondered if it was a modified Util-Ax. Then I remembered seeing some ads that showed an odd looking end cap illustration, somewhat in the form of a plus sign, or cross. After careful examination of posted images, and researching the old ads thoroughly, I concluded that it was in fact the real deal. A bit of negotiating with the seller landed it on my doorstep.
I'm still trying to fill in some blanks with affordable examples from the Util-Ax series, but the key word "affordable" seems to be non-existent, so those are on the back burner for now. In the meantime, here's a quick rundown on this early model Estwing Scout Axe.
Stacked Leather - Cruciform Tang - Scout Axe
Hand-crafted leather sheath.
Cruciform cross-section.
Although the stacked leather is cracked down the side of the handle, I'll be leaving it as is. It seems quite solid on the tang, and I just don't wish to disturb it at this time.
Take note: The sheath lacing is made with steel wire. And that leather is quite thick. I can only imagine what was going through his head, as that old-timer fabricated it, obviously using whatever materials he had on hand at the time.
For reference - Look closely at the end cap in the following illustrations:
1926 - Hardware Age 1926-03-18 Vol-117, Iss-11 Page 6 Cruciform Scout Ax
1926 - Hardware Age 1926-5-13 Vol-117, Iss-19 Page 36
1926 - Hardware Age 1926-03-18 Vol-117, Iss-11 Page 6
1925 - Likely earliest date published - Half Hatchet - Cruciform
1925 - Hardware Age 1925-12-17 Vol 116 Iss 25 Page 63-B
Last edited:
DirtDawg
Gold Member
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Hmmm? That "is" an interesting one. Same construction as their Flooring Hatchet from 1940's era.One you don’t see often. I-beam shaft.
View attachment 3198334View attachment 3198333
I hate that capital I’s don’t look like I beams. I’m going to start calling them H-beams.
DirtDawg
Gold Member
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When I posted the Cruciform Scout Axe above, I thought I had previously showcased this one. Oops! I guess I hadn't, so here goes.
SHOWCASING: "Unbreakable" Scout Axe, Circa 1924-1927?
I will be showcasing some of the Estwing tools I have, one at a time, and sharing any and all credible information I can come up with to correctly identify model, date range, etc. Please bear with me if I make mistakes. As most of you might know, Estwing historical information is quite scarce.
I snagged this one out of the bay some time back and have been researching information on it since.
It is in excellent condition for a tool that is possibly over 100 years old. Showing signs of use, someone took good care of this tool. It looks to have been carefully sharpened with a file and/or stone some years back and is sharp enough to take afield as is.
Note! I do not plan to change anything on this axe at present. I plan to keep it as is.
The wooden handle scales look to be original and are in great shape. And speaking of shape, I really like the shape of the handle on this one. I also like the radius of the bit.
Weighing in at 1lb - 10.1 oz, this certainly would not have overloaded the belt sheath it came with (see ad - next photo).
1924 - Hardware Buyer's Guide 1924 Scout Axe - Page 333 - Ad compliments of a fellow group member over at FB.
I have not been able to verify the year of this ad, but by the construction used in the tools shown, it seems to fit with the patents as possibly 1924 through 1926-27 at minimum.
Oh to have a period correct sheath, and in particular, the full coverage style shown.
Unbreakable - Pat Applied For, etc.
Estwing Pat No 1578502 - Originally Filed 1924-7-17, Iss 1926-3-30, Re-Issued as No 16820, 1927-12-20
https://patents.google.com/patent/US1578502A/en
PDF Download: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/.../US1578502...
Estwing Pat No 16820, Filed 1924-7-17, Iss 1927-12-20
https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE16820E/en
PDF Download: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/.../USRE16820...
Full flat tang as shown in patent drawings.
Doesn't look to have ever had the handle abused.
Classic Estwing axe head contours.
SHOWCASING: "Unbreakable" Scout Axe, Circa 1924-1927?
I will be showcasing some of the Estwing tools I have, one at a time, and sharing any and all credible information I can come up with to correctly identify model, date range, etc. Please bear with me if I make mistakes. As most of you might know, Estwing historical information is quite scarce.
I snagged this one out of the bay some time back and have been researching information on it since.
It is in excellent condition for a tool that is possibly over 100 years old. Showing signs of use, someone took good care of this tool. It looks to have been carefully sharpened with a file and/or stone some years back and is sharp enough to take afield as is.
Note! I do not plan to change anything on this axe at present. I plan to keep it as is.
The wooden handle scales look to be original and are in great shape. And speaking of shape, I really like the shape of the handle on this one. I also like the radius of the bit.
Weighing in at 1lb - 10.1 oz, this certainly would not have overloaded the belt sheath it came with (see ad - next photo).
1924 - Hardware Buyer's Guide 1924 Scout Axe - Page 333 - Ad compliments of a fellow group member over at FB.
I have not been able to verify the year of this ad, but by the construction used in the tools shown, it seems to fit with the patents as possibly 1924 through 1926-27 at minimum.
Oh to have a period correct sheath, and in particular, the full coverage style shown.
Unbreakable - Pat Applied For, etc.
Estwing Pat No 1578502 - Originally Filed 1924-7-17, Iss 1926-3-30, Re-Issued as No 16820, 1927-12-20
https://patents.google.com/patent/US1578502A/en
PDF Download: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/.../US1578502...
Estwing Pat No 16820, Filed 1924-7-17, Iss 1927-12-20
https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE16820E/en
PDF Download: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/.../USRE16820...
Full flat tang as shown in patent drawings.
Doesn't look to have ever had the handle abused.
Classic Estwing axe head contours.
jfk1110
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- Mar 9, 2013
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- 29,770
Very cool.... Thanx for sharing this.. Looking forward to see what you got..
DirtDawg
Gold Member
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- Sep 10, 2022
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- 851
Thank you for your kind words. I'll be back.Very cool.... Thanx for sharing this.. Looking forward to see what you got..