Interesting use for an axe

L

Landodnal

Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
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This was on display at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Figured I'd snap a pic and share with you all. I've personally never heard of such a thing. The display focused on the tools used by early American settlers. It was interesting. Only other axe I saw was an old broad axe with a short stubby handle. Everything else was custom forged pieces in a variety of shapes, no doubt made for a specific purpose. Ever get a chance to make it to the Smokies, it's worth checking out. There are also a few very old log buildings on display just behind the visitors center. They have been preserved and look as if time stands still.

imagejpg1_zps219f77c7.jpg
 
I wonder how that wouldn't just leave you with a very soft ax.... although I can see a wedge being used that way, since it would be easy to pound back into shape.
 
I've got to wonder if this is historically accurate in any way. There's plenty of museum exhibits out there that have missed the mark.
 
Square_peg said:
Don't try the sulphur fume thing at home.

http://books.google.com/books?id=HM...=onepage&q=sulphur fumes preservative&f=false
Click to expand...

Why not try at home? I doubt they generally used an axe, as foxfire recommends using coals, especially hickory. I ate these types of apples growing up, as did my grandparents who made them. 3/4 of them lived into their 90's and were fit and healthy until the end. Even at that, it was physical injury that got two of them and diabetes (poorly treated for much of her life) that got the other one. I didn't see anything in the link provided that looked alarming, except the warning that the smoke shouldn't be inhaled. I'd say that anyone competent to handle a knife to cut up the apples should be able to carry the rest out successfully! Did I miss something?
 
He may have been talking about doing it in the house but am not sure.

I'm with you, could be done safely if done right. I need to look into it if my fruit trees come in well one year.
 
Just because your grandparents did it doesn't mean it was a good idea. The Romans added lead to wine as a sweetener. Hey, they did it. You might as well do it, too. Right? Knock yourself out, man.
 
Square_peg said:
Just because your grandparents did it doesn't mean it was a good idea. The Romans added lead to wine as a sweetener. Hey, they did it. You might as well do it, too. Right? Knock yourself out, man.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the polite and informative response. While the danger of lead acetate (I assume that is what you mean) in wine and confections is somewhat common knowledge, I have not seen any similarly alarming warnings about fuming fruit, not even in the document you linked. Is it really dangerous?
 
My suggestion would be to try this (if that's what you want to do) either outside or in a well ventilated area. The document states that the fumes could exacerbate an existing respiratory illness such as asthma and I'm sure, COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, etc. Whether these fumes could negatively effect a young healthy adult is up for debate. But why test your luck?
 
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