Help ID this (I believe) Maine double bit

jblyttle

jblyttle

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Sep 3, 2014
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I can't quite recognize the logo. I see "Value" and what looks like "Emerson/Stevens", but it isn't an E&S logo that I have seen before. This was found in Maine and is distinctly wedge shaped.



 
Neat pattern JB. Can't help with ID but it's not something I see much in the PNW.
 
In case those photos disappear someday, let's put it in writing:

Value Wedge
The Emery Waterhouse Company

(hardware store/distributor in Portland, Maine)


"Ace Hardware last week acquired a wholesale distributor to hardware stores and lumber mills that was founded in Portland in 1842 and has been owned by the same family for the past 80-plus years...Emery-Waterhouse is a wholesale distributor of products to roughly 1,100 independent hardware stores, lumber yards, paint retailers and home improvement centers throughout the northeastern United States. The company was founded as a hardware store on Portland’s Middle Street."
from Bangor Daily News, article by Whit Richardson, 2/20/2014
 
Apparently the triple diamond axes were a house brand of this wholesale concern. The bottom axe has 3 diamonds.

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I've got a triple diamond marked T-B-A in their own respective diamonds. First axe I ever bought, and got me into the hobby. Maine pattern head just like the one posted above, same temper line, same divot in the head right under the temper line, remnants of blue paint, forge welded bit, and date stamped under the poll.
 
Great find. We just don't see those out West here.

jblyttle said:

Click to expand...


That's a case where a little blacksmith work would go along way. The edge has become a little blunt. But there's plenty of steel back behind it. A smith could draw the bit out and make it almost new.
 
Learned recently that the TBA branded axes stand for Talbot, Brooks, & Ayers - another Hardware concern out of Portland, Maine. Though I've never seen anything in print. Emery Waterhouse axes were marked E-W Co. or something similar.

Here's one of my more recent TBAs.

15420752_10211371211015464_5167499662137492689_n.jpg


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15380784_10211371210975463_2831633394781050455_n.jpg
 
JB, that stamping under the poll, and the location and style of the weight markings is awfully familiar (I think mine says 57). That Ole Yank I got from you matches and the the wedge shape of the examples posted here is similar as well you think? Is that just an East coast thing in general or do you suppose these are just hardware store markings?


ETA: Fail ... halfaxe just said in plain words what I was alluding to. Their markings and wedge design is pretty distinctive - my Ole Yank is my absolute favorite axe and favorite splitting axe even at only 3-1/4lbs.
 
There have been some discussions about the way head weight is marked on domestic axes. We've somewhat established that the very common 3 2 stamp means 3 lb + two quarters. I'm curious as to what's stamped (illegible in the picture) under the 3 on the TBA head in post #10. I would presume it's a 4, as in 2 3/4 lb.
 
300Six said:
There have been some discussions about the way head weight is marked on domestic axes. We've somewhat established that the very common 3 2 stamp means 3 lb + two quarters. I'm curious as to what's stamped (illegible in the picture) under the 3 on the TBA head in post #10. I would presume it's a 4, as in 2 3/4 lb.
Click to expand...

If we conclude that ES is indeed the manufacturer they marked them using a fraction.

NE_OLDYANK_markings by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr


The 57 on my Old Yank
NE_OLDYANK_fit by city_ofthe_south, on Flickr
 
300Six said:
Thank you sir! There is no disputing a picture such as that. So does that mean E & S also stamped 3 1/2 on their stuff instead of 3 2 like almost everybody else? Out of curiousity could the 2 digit stamp at the back of the head be year of manufacture?
Click to expand...

That's my guess. But at least from my seat, it's just speculation on all of it.
 
jblyttle said:
All of the E&S heads that I have seen had the weight stamped using fractions.
Click to expand...

Also the year made stamp underneath by the eye has been present in all I've seen. Although some may slip through without this stamp.
 
Discretely stamping year of manufacture on heads does have long term benefits were heads or blades ever to fail, or hold up particularly well. Manufacturer's techniques do evolve over time and were a particular batch to be sub standard (or prove to be superior) the company would have evidence and be able to re-evaluate what they did. Day/month/year would have been better and sequential numbering would be the ultimate. But there weren't many striking tool makers out there that ever did any of this.
 
I believe ES also made old Yank. I'm not sure that spiller did any contract manufacturing. But I don't know that for a fact. Spiller also marked the date on the underside of the poll.


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