Help Please ID a couple of hatchets

RayseM · Mar 2, 2016

Here are 2 that I don't know much about. Wonder if anyone can give me some info.

#1 (on the bottom) is a Plumb carpenters hatchet (I think) but looking from you to identify the age of this tool + whatever else you might know.

#2 The one on the top in the photo above - is one I found in the woods in my backyard when I was a kid in the early 60s,

YUP - most of you weren't born yet

Pretty cool little hatchet - 4 -1/2" head length x 3" blade width with a 12" handle that is very comfortable. No visible markings to ID this one.

Any guesses out there? Ideas on the steel used for each? Should I just buff it and generally recondition and continue using it (with more respect) without concern to it's historic value ?

Thanks for any info.

Steve Tall · Mar 2, 2016

Could you show a photo of the top of hatchet #2, like this view:

This will show whether it has ridges, which could point to Kelly as the maker.

Hickory n steel · Mar 2, 2016

That plumb seems modern to me like 80's+ ( Cooper era because it has a red painted handle with white lettering ) and it's a half hatchet ( a general carpentry / utility tool )

300Six · Mar 2, 2016

Hickory n steel said:
That plumb seems modern to me like 80's+ ( Cooper era because it has a red painted handle with white lettering ) and it's a half hatchet ( a general carpentry / utility tool )

I quite agree with the Cooper-Plumb identification of the carpenters hatchet. 1981 was when Cooper took over Ames who took over Plumb in 1971) at the oldest. No name hatchets (I hate to say this) only real value is sentimental and/or for actual use. I pretty much had to give away the 1/2 dozen I gathered up over the past 40 years and they looked just like yours. Mind you I never paid anything for them either as they were often foundlings during Estate cleanups, hastily abandoned/tenant eviction rental units and house renos.

RayseM · Mar 2, 2016

Hickory n steel said:
That plumb seems modern to me like 80's+ ( Cooper era because it has a red painted handle with white lettering ) and it's a half hatchet ( a general carpentry / utility tool )

There is another bit of writing on it that says Cooper Tool. Right you are then and that dates it. I didn't think it was old though I'm pretty sure I've had it since the 90s and maybe a bit longer. Hardly used it though as you can see.

Thanks for the info.

RayseM · Mar 2, 2016

Steve Tall said:
Could you show a photo of the top of hatchet #2, like this view:

This will show whether it has ridges, which could point to Kelly as the maker.

I won't be able to photograph again until Friday. Meanwhile I've looked at the head and there are no discernible ridges - just an elongated oval hole that comes to a sharp point. As you can see from the flare on the butt, I have beaten on this over 50 years

DarthTaco123 · Mar 2, 2016

The hatchet with the orange paint looks almost the color that Sandvik painted their heads. Pulled this image from Google.

Hickory n steel · Mar 2, 2016

RayseM said:
I won't be able to photograph again until Friday. Meanwhile I've looked at the head and there are no discernible ridges - just an elongated oval hole that comes to a sharp point. As you can see from the flare on the butt, I have beaten on this over 50 years

The poll on that hatchet sure is mushroomed out, if i were you I'd put on some safety goggles and pound it back with a ball peen hammer ( if you can get it hammered back enough it'll look better than if it was filled off )

RayseM · Mar 2, 2016

Hickory n steel said:
The poll on that hatchet sure is mushroomed out, if i were you I'd put on some safety goggles and pound it back with a ball peen hammer ( if you can get it hammered back enough it'll look better than if it was filled off )

Can do!

Meanwhile I'll start researching old Sandvic axes/hatchets.

Steve Tall · Mar 2, 2016

RayseM said:
I won't be able to photograph again until Friday. Meanwhile I've looked at the head and there are no discernible ridges...

Okay, no ridges. No need to take another photo.

300Six · Mar 3, 2016

RayseM said:
Can do!

Meanwhile I'll start researching old Sandvic axes/hatchets.

I still have the orange 2 1/4 lb Sandvik that my dad bought for me in the early 1960s. If you put a straight edge across the blade and it's flat then you are on to something (ie it's European for sure) but if the blade is thicker in the middle than along the sides you're more likely looking at domestic manufacture. Also the Swedes are/were pretty conscientious about stamping 'Sweden', at very least, on all of their goods.

RayseM · Mar 3, 2016

300Six said:
I still have the orange 2 1/4 lb Sandvik that my dad bought for me in the early 1960s. If you put a straight edge across the blade and it's flat then you are on to something (ie it's European for sure) but if the blade is thicker in the middle than along the sides you're more likely looking at domestic manufacture. Also the Swedes are/were pretty conscientious about stamping 'Sweden', at very least, on all of their goods.

Likely not European then, it definitely has a swell in the cheeks and no discernible writing. Maybe some generic old American.

300Six · Mar 4, 2016

RayseM said:
Likely not European then, it definitely has a swell in the cheeks and no discernible writing. Maybe some generic old American.

Seems to me almost every major hardware chain contracted out for axes/hatchets and hammers 50-90 years ago. Either they were specifically logo stamped or bore paper labels. I think one of the 'no name' makers (Plumb?) stamped a small star, crescent, square or some such on the right side of a head.

Hacked · Mar 4, 2016

DarthTaco123 said:
The hatchet with the orange paint looks almost the color that Sandvik painted their heads. Pulled this image from Google.

Haha, I recognize that hatchet. Sees a fair bit of use from what I've seen.

RayseM · Mar 4, 2016

300Six said:
Seems to me almost every major hardware chain contracted out for axes/hatchets and hammers 50-90 years ago. Either they were specifically logo stamped or bore paper labels. I think one of the 'no name' makers (Plumb?) stamped a small star, crescent, square or some such on the right side of a head.

I need to clean the surface and scrutinize with a magnifier. Maybe some info will be revealed.

Thanks everyone for your contribution to my investigation. Any other guesses welcomed and in the meantime I'll get to reconditioning this mystery hatchet. It's a comfortable tool to use and worth some care.