Forged bit?

[Curt Hal]

i got this in a package deal. I don’t soak in vinegar much any more but this one was so rusty, i decided to. I haven’t seen a single bit with this much temper, if that’s what I’m seeing. I know almost nothing about forging and what to look for or how to interpret what I’m seeing. The only stamp on this head was “5.” It actually weighs 4lb 7oz. I’m going to put it on a 35” straight haft a sell it as a splitter. What can you all tell me about that apparent weld?

 

[Square_peg]

It's a typical overlay method axe. Looks well done. There's an Emerson & Stevens factory video on youtube that will show you how it was made.

 

[Agent_H]

It's a typical overlay method axe. Looks well done. There's an Emerson & Stevens factory video on youtube that will show you how it was made.

4:18 shows the overlay before trip hammer.

 

[Agent_H]

“For this demanding and dangerous work, Manson only makes a dollar, twenty-five an hour. And soon he’ll be heading down to Connecticut to work in a large mill, where he can make twice that pushing a broom”

 

[jd_elam]

Great video, thanks for posting it!

 

[Yankee Josh]

I've watched it probably 15 times by now and it never gets old. Interesting that Roy Barrett was the temperer but I've never seen a B. Only W and P for temperers mark. Have any of you seen his initial on one? Probably, obviously, it would be in later years. However I have one made in '51 that has a W.

 

[dirc]

If only the hyper inflated axe resale market had happened 50 years ago, none of these makers would have gone bankrupt

...or is it a chicken and egg problem? (the value would have never inflated without all the companies being gone?)

 

[Fmont]

If you adjust for inflation good axes weren't cheap!