Is There Anything to This Axe Head?

K

Ken Sharp

Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
2
I found an old rusty axe at an estate sale and when I cleaned it up a little it was stamped with, "MANN LEWISTON, PA" on one side and "TRUE AMERIAN" on the other. I cleaned it up with a wire brush and 220 sand paper...is that OK? Does anyone have an idea when this axe head may have been manufactured?

Someone botched the job of putting a handle on it at some point, so I will have to rehandle it. Anyone know how long the original handle would have been? The axe weighs 5.5 pounds with the current handle on it.

I going to try to insert some pictures....
Mann%20Lewiston%20a%20.jpg

Mann%20Lewiston%20b.jpg

True%20American%20a.jpg

True%20American%20b.jpg


Thanks
Ken
 
Lots to cover here. There is a wealth of information in this sub forum that you could gather with the search function, plus youtube videos on the topic. You're welcome to clean it up as you see fit and there is an age old conversation about what method is best. It's all about how much you want to preserve - markings, "patina", paint, whatever - and the condition. Handle length is another matter of preference and opinion. A 36 inch handle could add roughly a pound to the hung weight, so it sounds like a full size head. Axes like that would have been found in multiple lengths to suit the user.
 
Anything over 4 lb head weight is a 'big boy' in my books. And 36 inch is pretty much the standard for a handle for something like this.
 
It would catch my eye as well. It has the shape and beveled poll of a rafting axe (poll is hardened).

It looks like it is in really good condition as well. Cool score.



Hope you don't mind me hosting and posting your pic for you. I think it's a good looking piece of steel.
 
Ken Sharp said:
I don't have much need for a good axe and I don't know why this thing has caught my interest but for some reason I'm eager to bring this old boy back to life.
Click to expand...

We all understand. Hard to explain but once you get it, you get it. I hung my first couple axes because I moved into a house with a wood burning furnace, was splitting wood regularly, and discovered that I enjoyed it.
 
Definitely worth bringing back to life and would catch my eye for sure. Keep us posted on your progress.
 
Some pitting but a fine looking axe. Not much wear and a pretty clean poll. That's a keeper.
 
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