Hoffman and Neally

WVHILLS

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2006
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I picked up this Snow and Neally around 14 or 15 years ago at my local hardware store and it has been great...but I think I will retire it with this new Hoffman Wasatch Axe.

 
First class piece of wood on your new purchase; it won't break by accident. No grain runout anywhere! And you won't regret having more generous eye support either. Flogging a S & N Hudson Bay at auction will, at very least, recoup the cost of your new investment too.
 
First class piece of wood on your new purchase; it won't break by accident. No grain runout anywhere! And you won't regret having more generous eye support either. Flogging a S & N Hudson Bay at auction will, at very least, recoup the cost of your new investment too.

Thanks, I'm really pleased with the Hoffman so far. I'll probably just touch up the edge on the S&N and put her away :thumbup:
 
I love the look of Liam Hoffman's axes. And I love that they are US made by a super skilled craftsman. I like that some of the more traditional patterns are being produced.

I've heard that Hoffman uses 4142 steel, a medium carbon steel. It's better than the 4140 that other smiths are using.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/HO...arded-camp-axe-12-inch-overall-leather-sheath

4142 is capable of reaching adequate RC hardness when fully hardened. Tempered to 500°F it would still have an RC hardness in the low to mid 50's.

https://books.google.com/books?id=b...epage&q=4142 steel hrc fully hardened&f=false

Higher carbon steels are more difficult to forge but might be more durable. High quality vintage axes often were made with bits containing .7% or higher carbon. Those high carbon steels would be very tough for a small shop to slit and drift. 4142 is an excellent choice for a tough steel with good hardenability that can be worked by a skilled blacksmith in a small shop. Liam is doing a great job with these axes.
 
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