FAME 372-no1 hatchet

[Hummel]

Can anyone help me out with some info on my FAME hatchet? I have no idea where or when it was made

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[Steve Tall]

Found a photo of a FAME 372 - No. 2 :

 

[Hummel]

Yeah I found that 2 thanks Steve, mines a no1 but can't find anything else

 

[Steve Tall]

Appears to have been made by S.&J. Kitchin Ltd., of Sheffield, England.
My guess is sometime in the 1950s.

A 1960 directory for agricultural equipment has an advert for "Fame" Brand products... in Sheffield made steel... and the index of advertisers lists FAME implement parts being made by S.&J. Kitchin Ltd.

Some searching will show that they also made cutlery, machetes, and other edge tools.

An advert that's supposedly from 1953 states that S. & J. Kitchin Ltd, (of Broadfields, Sheffield 8) manufactured Household Choppers, Beet Knives, Billhooks, etc., for Home and Export.

 

[Steve Tall]

Grace's Guide to British Industrial History lists this information, along with the following pictures:

S. and J. Kitchin
Late Samuel Kitchin.
of Soho Cutlery Works, Sheffield (1892)
of Broadfields, Sheffield (1951)
Cutlery


From 1876 (the S. in the name must be for Samuel):

From 1895 (says it was established in 1853):

This advert is said to be from 1951:

 

[jblyttle]

Based on the dimensions the No 2 looks like a 1.75lb large hatchet. What does the No 1 weigh?

 

[Hummel]

Thankyou Steve, you have been more helpful

 

[Hummel]

Hi jb, the no1 weight is 2.2lbs and 3.1 x 5 inches

 

[Pakowhai]

Hi Hummel, Another possibility is English maker Brades. The style of stamping and numbering are similar. A couple of ads copied from www.trove.nla.gov.au.

Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), Sunday 24 January 1937, page 12

The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 8 July 1939, page 26

My FAME hatchet.

 

[Pakowhai]

One more.

Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954), Friday 1 October 1937, page 16

 

[Hummel]

Thanks pakowhai, that would fit in as im from adelaide, australia.

 

[jblyttle]

Hi jb, the no1 weight is 2.2lbs and 3.1 x 5 inches

Wow most with those dimensions weigh 1.25-1.5lbs, is it super thick?

 

[Pakowhai]

Thanks pakowhai, that would fit in as im from adelaide, australia.

No worries. After bit of a search found another Fame branded head in the shed which is worn and older (I think). It needs a clean up but has a cool symbol - a robed lady standing on a globe holding something.

 

[Hummel]

It's a chunky little head.

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[Steve Tall]

Hi Hummel, Another possibility is English maker Brades. The style of stamping and numbering are similar. A couple of ads copied from www.trove.nla.gov.au. ...

Great finds! My money is of course now on Brades being the maker of "Fame" axes, since there was no mention found of Kitchin making axes (among the edge tools they did make).

Another ad from 1939 is on this page:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/11245157

 

[Steve Tall]

"Brades" is the short name for
William Hunt & Sons, The Brades, Ltd.
(near Birmingham)

Their catalogue from 1941 lists Fame axes, but no Fame hatchets for that year.
The 3-digit numbers stamped on the heads are evidently the Pattern Numbers from the catalogue.
The size numbers correspond to the following weights of the hatchet heads:

No. 1 = 1-1/2 pounds
No. 2 = 1-3/4 pounds
No. 3 = 2 pounds

The catalogue can be downloaded by clicking on the cover photo on this page:
http://toolemera.com/Manufacturers%20&%20Merchants/Mfg.%20efghi/mfg,-hunt.html

 

[Hummel]

Hi Steve, you are right, but the FAME axes must of come on the larger weight, referring to the newspaper article posted above saying, 2 1/2, 4 and 4 1/2lbs, the FAME axes are tricky to find.

 

[Steve Tall]

Hi Steve, you are right, but the FAME axes must of come on the larger weight, referring to the newspaper article posted above saying, 2 1/2, 4 and 4 1/2lbs, the FAME axes are tricky to find.

The 1941 catalog has FAME axes in these weights (pounds):
3-1/2
4
4-1/2
5

These listed FAME axes were Tasmanian pattern, available with either rounded or square poll.
The handles (when supplied) are listed as HICKORY,
and "Every axe is severely tested on lignum vitae and critically examined..."

 

[Pakowhai]

The 1941 catalog has FAME axes in these weights (pounds):
3-1/2
4
4-1/2
5

These listed FAME axes were Tasmanian pattern, available with either rounded or square poll.
The handles (when supplied) are listed as HICKORY,
and "Every axe is severely tested on lignum vitae and critically examined..."

Well spotted. I've looked at this catalogue many times and never noticed the FAME listing. I'd figured the FAME range was cheaper and aimed for household use. Maybe not if being listed alongside Criterion, Cockatoo and Giraffe.