Flea Market Broad Axe

[Nsvens89]

Hey guys this is my first thread over here in the Axe forum. Recently I picked up a couple axes while out at a flea market with my girlfriend. One is a Michigan pattern single bit Plumb and the other is a Broad axe.

Admittedly I don't know much about the broad axe so I figured I would ask you guys. I would appreciate any information you can tell me about it. Any idea on the age, maker, condition, handle?

It looks like it is stamped J B. LAUENE maybe J B. LAUINE Then below that There is a Larger J stamp.

It also faintly looks like there were lighter markings below the J B. LAUENE but I can't quite make them out.

So basically I'm wondering what I have and what kind of shape is it in? I am thinking the handle is not original due to the of the poor fit in the eye, also is the handle offset the wrong way? Thank you in advance for any info you guys can provide.

-Nathan

 

[bobs1415]

Broad axes could have the handle set off to either side depending on what the user wanted. That and the fact that this axe looks danged old is the sum total of my knowledge here. Are both sides on the edge beveled? Looks like a nice score!

 

[Nsvens89]

Thanks for the response and the info on the handle, the axe is chisel ground so the back side is completely flat. The only bevel is the one shown in the pictures.

 

[bobs1415]

Since the left side of the axe head is chisel ground, I think that indicates that the handle should bend to the right. Somebody who uses one of those things can probably give you more info.

 

[dr_fosg8]

Looks like a pretty nice axe. There is no mushrooming on the back which is a good sign it was not used as a hammer.

 

[Square_peg]

Nice looking old broad axe. It's worn pretty heavily. You can see the high-carbon insert starting to run out in the 5th and 6th photos. However, in the 6th it looks like you still have good steel almost all the way down the bit. The wear pattern is what most people would call left handed wear. But I use my broadaxe that way and I'm right handed.

 

[Pondoro2310]

Those chisel ground offset axes were used to turn round logs into square beams, or so I was told. I'm old but not old enough to remember that far back.
http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/using-an-axe/log-building/hewing-with-a-broad-axe/

http://www.ourbarns.com/The-art-of-Hand-Hewing.html

 

[halfaxe]

That's likely an original or old owner made handle. Most broad axes were sold as a head only and handles were owner made. A lot of old broad axes have survived from small axe factories with only one or a few smiths putting out only a few dozen axes a year.

 

[the possum]

I think I could see having the handle curved the "wrong way" like that if you're standing on top of the log & working the sides, especially if the heavy work was out of the way & you were truing things up with a finishing pass. This way you wouldn't have to lean over the edge of the log as much.

 

[Nsvens89]

Nice looking old broad axe. It's worn pretty heavily. You can see the high-carbon insert starting to run out in the 5th and 6th photos. However, in the 6th it looks like you still have good steel almost all the way down the bit. The wear pattern is what most people would call left handed wear. But I use my broadaxe that way and I'm right handed.

Thanks for the info! Since you pointed out the high carbon insert I flipped it over and can see it much more clearly on the flat side. It does run the whole length of the blade but it is looking a bit thin. Is there any reason I wouldn't be able to rehang it and use it?

Those chisel ground offset axes were used to turn round logs into square beams, or so I was told. I'm old but not old enough to remember that far back.
http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/using-an-axe/log-building/hewing-with-a-broad-axe/

http://www.ourbarns.com/The-art-of-Hand-Hewing.html

Thanks for the links those are very interesting. They make me want to go out and give it a try!

 

[300Six]

The blade bevel is on the opposite side of where it's supposed to be with regard to the offset of the handle. This entirely negates the usefulness for smoothly squaring logs! Is there some chance that someone pulled a fast one over on you?
Nice find (the head) nevertheless. Guaranteed that head wasn't made yesterday, or even less than 100 years ago.

 

[Nsvens89]

The blade bevel is on the opposite side of where it's supposed to be with regard to the offset of the handle. This entirely negates the usefulness for smoothly squaring logs! Is there some chance that someone pulled a fast one over on you?
Nice find (the head) nevertheless. Guaranteed that head wasn't made yesterday, or even less than 100 years ago.

Thanks for the input, when buying it I knew I would have to replace the handle before it could be used. The fit in the eye was really loose and the haft had no kerf cut into it thus no wedge holding it the head. I'm not sure if I should replace it with a straight handle or try steam bending one so it has an offset. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[halfaxe]

It could have been wedged without a kerf by just adding a small wedge or wedges into the top alongside the handle. I've seen a few old broadaxes done that way. That handle was probably removed and inserted back in the eye upside down so the sweep is now on the wrong side. If you redo the handle, a sweep is a good thing to have in a broadaxe handle.

 

[Square_peg]

Is there any reason I wouldn't be able to rehang it and use it?

Absolutely you can still use that axe! I think House Handle sells an offset broadaxe handle. It's a bit long but you could cut it down to your liking. Broadaxes were frequently made with an eye that allows it to be hung from either end. Which way you hang it will depend on which hand you want to keep at the end of the haft and which hand will be forward.

 

[Pondoro2310]

I agree, if the head is upside down and you invert it then the bevel makes sense.