GB 4lb Double Bit - Couple of Questions

[MikeLV]

This 4lb Gransfors Bruk double-bit axe is gift from my parents this Christmas - it is quite nice and not messed with or dinged up! Will clean-up, sharpen, new handle (probably 36"), and use a bit, treasure forever!

Can you help with the following

1. Blade is 11.5" widest, and 10.5" tip to tip on both sides. Is there a top side somehow, or should I review the eye for clues?
2. Is there a model number or catalog that covers this?
3. What is the general time-frame for making of this axe?

 

[Webscrounger]

The eye is tapered somewhat and the top opening should be slightly larger (wider at least) than the bottom. Can't speak to the rest.

 

[Square_peg]

They exported a lot of axes to the US in the 60's. Back then they were a slightly cheaper alternative to US made axes. Many were imported by a company called Strohecker & Broesamle and marketed under the name Stro-bro.

Some axes are 'revserible', can be hung either way arnd were flipped with each re-hanging too spread the wear between heel and toe. Check the eye dimesions with inside calipers. Larger side goes up - wedge side of the eye.

 

[300Six]

They exported a lot of axes to the US in the 60's. Back then they were a slightly cheaper alternative to US made axes. Many were imported by a company called Strohecker & Broesamle and marketed under the name Stro-bro.

Some axes are 'revserible', can be hung either way arnd were flipped with each re-hanging too spread the wear between heel and toe. Check the eye dimesions with inside calipers. Larger side goes up - wedge side of the eye.

I'd go with this advice. The Swedes entered the north American export trade market after the war (late 40s early 50s) and made decent (lovely steel/top drawer manufacture/lower than domestic selling prices) sales right through until the 1980s when the entire axe market fell on it's face and 3rd world products started to flood the market. Your baby is still in good shape and if you wanted to throw a coat of paint on it Swedes were typically medium blue in colour (or orange for smaller ones).

 

[MikeLV]

Thanks for the insight and advice - Will measure and rehang - had not seen a reversible one before - so learned something! I see remnants or an orange or red paint - so is a Husqvarna type orange appropriate? And - FWIW - Guessing that this came from western Oregon where my parents live.

And a ponderment - if this dates from 1960's/70's, and that was a time of the great proliferation of light(er) weight chainsaws - who buys a big, HEAVY, production oriented axe such as this? Likely a story here I will never know.

Thanks again.

 

[300Six]

Thanks for the insight and advice - Will measure and rehang - had not seen a reversible one before - so learned something! I see remnants or an orange or red paint - so is a Husqvarna type orange appropriate? And - FWIW - Guessing that this came from western Oregon where my parents live.

And a ponderment - if this dates from 1960's/70's, and that was a time of the great proliferation of light(er) weight chainsaws - who buys a big, HEAVY, production oriented axe such as this? Likely a story here I will never know.

Thanks again.

The backs and beds of most logging vehicles I saw out west (Vancouver Is, Prince Rupert and Queen Charlotte Islands) in the late 70s early 80s had an axe on board. Likely for emergencies and to free up stuck chainsaws and branch tangles in machinery.

 

[markv]

we always carry an axe into the timber. one of those "better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it" scenarios.
In the midwest the 70's was a time of back to basics like use of woodstoves for heating homes. double bits weren't used much for splitting firewood then but there were plenty of these old axes still in existence from farming chores and such so they were upcycled into this era. the old timers all had a double bit on the farm for cutting up and clearing brush, chopping ice in ponds to water stock, and splitting firewood or kindling. one bit was kept very sharp for chopping wood, one bit was more obtuse for grubbing out roots in the ground and chopping fence staples,nails,knotty timber, etc;. this dual purpose iis well known

 

[markv]

these old American made axes from the 20th. century weren't designer tools. they were rather ubiquitous and inexpensive, thus there are many examples 80-90 yrs old still being used today.
good stuff.

 

[Double Ott]

Most of the double bit Swamping pattern axes I have seen have been 4 pounds. The common Michigan or Wisconsin pattern double bits you see are 3.5 pounds with a few 4 pound ones around.

Here's two Kelly 4 pounders...

[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/user/doubleott/media/Kelly%204%20pound%20double%20bits/KellyDoublebits4lbers005.jpg.html][/URL]

Here's a Kelly 3.5 # Perfect w/ the two 4 pounders.

[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/user/doubleott/media/Kelly%204%20pound%20double%20bits/KellyDoublebits4lbers006.jpg.html][/URL]