Interesting Craftsman

[Geoff]

Just wire brushed the rust and crud off this ebay head today.

Craftsman 3^2 and "Hollow Ground"

After cleaning it up I realized only the bit with that stamp was hollow ground the other end is the normal convex high centerline.

Obviously I know it is common practice to have a fine/sharp end and the other less sharp for chopping roots etc.

I had not heard of the grinds being different from the maker to support this method.

Have other makers done this?

 

[Steve Tall]

Vaughan currently produces Made-in-USA axes (including double bits) that they say are "Hollow Ground".
Deeper penetration but more sticking? Marketing gimmick?

Here's a 1949 ad from Sears with the "New Hollow Ground Axe" from Craftsman:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FxkqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=koUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4863%2C4279133

 

[Geoff]

I think the interesting part is only one bit is hollow, seems more flat actually

 

[Steve Tall]

Here's an auction photo of a vintage Vaughan double bit axe marked "Hollow Ground" on one of the bits, and it looks to me like only the stamped bit has the hollow:

By the way, I recall that Vaughan was the maker of at least some of the Craftsman axes.

 

[Geoff]

Very cool,

Thanks for the info

 

[Steve Tall]

Tuatahi racing axes can be made with "hollows":

from http://www.tuatahiaxes.com/axegrinds.html

 

[jefroman]

I've chopped with one of the old Vaughn hollow ground double bits, it seemed to do alright, not too different when it comes to sticking, etc. yet I much prefer a more traditional convex/high center profile for really throwin' chips. interesting design though

 

[Square_peg]

By the way, I recall that Vaughan was the maker of at least some of the Craftsman axes.

I was just recalling that, too. Looks like the relationship may have went back as far as 1949.

 

[Smash05]

Vaughn still makes hammers and hatchets for Craftsman!

 

[Square_peg]

I wonder how competitors choose their grind for a particular event.

Tuatahi racing axes can be made with "hollows":

from http://www.tuatahiaxes.com/axegrinds.html

Tuatahi has suggestions on their racing axe page near the bottom. Chisel, banana and supergrind seem to be the most recommended.

http://www.tuatahiaxes.com/racingaxes.html

 

[Nbrackett]

Just cleaned up this Vaughan and wordered how common hollow ground axes are.

 

[Steve Tall]

Just cleaned up this Vaughn and wordered how common hollow ground axes are.

Vaughan's online catalog had "hollow ground" axes listed in 2103, 2014, and 2015 (at least). In 2015, they were listed as being IMPORTED.

2014

Hollow ground blades permit deeper cuts and easier release. Head is painted blue. Best grade, white hickory handle.
https://web.archive.org/web/2014032...-Sub-zero-Double-Bit-Axe__ZDB3-1-fslsh-2.aspx

2015

Hollow ground blades permit deeper cuts and easier release. Head is painted blue. Best grade, white hickory handle. IMPORTED
https://web.archive.org/web/2015030...-Sub-zero-Double-Bit-Axe__ZDB3-1-fslsh-2.aspx

 

[Nbrackett]

Vaughan's online catalog had "hollow ground" axes listed in 2103, 2014, and 2015 (at least). In 2015, they were listed as being IMPORTED.

2014

Hollow ground blades permit deeper cuts and easier release. Head is painted blue. Best grade, white hickory handle.
https://web.archive.org/web/2014032...-Sub-zero-Double-Bit-Axe__ZDB3-1-fslsh-2.aspx

2015

Hollow ground blades permit deeper cuts and easier release. Head is painted blue. Best grade, white hickory handle. IMPORTED
https://web.archive.org/web/2015030...-Sub-zero-Double-Bit-Axe__ZDB3-1-fslsh-2.aspx

Thanks Steve. I would have guessed it was older. Still have a lot to learn.

 

[Travbud1]

Just cleaned up this Vaughn and wordered how common hollow ground axes are.

View attachment 984274

View attachment 984275

I’ve got your axe’s cousin, a 3.5# single bit Michigan. You can see just how thin the bit gets in the last picture, yet it is very nicely convexed past the hollow ground portion. I can say that it is the WORST splitting axe that I own, which is basically all that I use an axe for. It’s a shame because I am really pleased with the shaping on the handle...

I notice that yours has REG TM under the sub-zero lettering, while mine does not. I wonder if that might help to narrow down a year of manufacture?

 

[Nbrackett]

I’ve got your axe’s cousin, a 3.5# single bit Michigan. You can see just how thin the bit gets in the last picture, yet it is very nicely convexed past the hollow ground portion. I can say that it is the WORST splitting axe that I own, which is basically all that I use an axe for. It’s a shame because I am really pleased with the shaping on the handle...

I notice that yours has REG TM under the sub-zero lettering, while mine does not. I wonder if that might help to narrow down a year of manufacture?

That is a sweet handle.

 

[Travbud1]

That is a sweet handle.

Thanks! It started life as a super fat hardware store Ames handle, and I spent a whole lot of time on it with a spokeshave and rasp to thin it out and shape the swell.

 

[Steve Tall]

Thanks Steve. I would have guessed it was older. Still have a lot to learn.

You're probably right. Vaughan was making "Hollow ground" axes since the 1950s (or earlier), as shown here.

Industry outlook for 1958 - Page 187
https://books.google.com/books?id=1LoPaKoksI0C
1958 - ‎Snippet view
... SUB-ZERO hollow ground axes: Vaughan 8 Bushnell Mfg Co ...

Fast forward to 2018, and Vaughan is still listing "hollow ground" axes for sale (now made in India):



ZSB3-1/2 Sub-zero 3-1/2# Single Bit Axe. Hollow ground blades permit deeper cuts and easier release. Head is painted blue. Best grade, white hickory handle. MADE IN INDIA

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 984493 Here is the smallest Craftsman axe? I blued the head when I had it apart.