Id a hatchet and another question...

[Old Gupti]

Hi Bladeforum members, I recently bought an old roofer's hatchet at a flea market for 20$ CDN. I was hoping if somebody can comment on year and manufacturer. A guy at the flea market said it was a Shaker tool. It has only one identifying mark in the shape of a 'W' or 'M' as shown in the pictures below.

I have a second question: I learnt on the internet that when you hold the hatchet by the handle and the head is dangling down but not resting on any surface, and if you tap on the end of the handle with a hammer, the head moves upwards into the handle forming a tighter grip. I tried and am amazed by the result. The head was a little loose but after doing this it is quite tight now (last picture below). My question is, what is the scientific explanation for this? Why does the head move upwards into the handle?

Thanks

 

[Steve Tall]

...

Could it be the trapezoidal "mystery stamp" that recently has us all stumped???

If my recollection of physics is correct, hammering the end of the handle like that tends to drive the handle into the head, even though the head isn't secured in a vise, because the mass of the head "resists" being accelerated. The "resistance" force is equal and opposite to the applied Force = ma (mass times acceleration).

 

[Old Gupti]

Thank you Steve! After your explanation now it makes sense to me. Cheers~

 

[Square_peg]

Could it be the trapezoidal "mystery stamp" that recently has us all stumped???

Just what I was thinking.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Pretty much what Steve said, the head weighs more than the handle so it stays in place while the lighter handle moves.