The Plumb screw take-up wedge is a 1922 to 1943 phenomenon for hatchets and axes and probably has a similar history with regard to hammers.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
It followed me home (Part 2)
- Thread starter Steve Tall
- Start date
The Plumb screw take-up wedge is a 1922 to 1943 phenomenon for hatchets and axes and probably has a similar history with regard to hammers.
Thanks 300, I think that this hammer was in a homeowners tool box and never used by a professional carpenter judging by it's condition. I'm going to leave it as is since there is no way to improve it the head is tight and there is a faint bit of the Auotgraff label.
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2011
- Messages
- 2,654
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
- Messages
- 5,431
Looks like this Mephisto hammer (from Mephisto Tool Co., Hudson NY):
"Scarce Mephisto 1924 Patent "Andrew Bensen Patent" Adze Hammer
Virtually identical to the 3rd. type "Bensen Patent" made by the Cheney Co. this is a Mephisto adze hammer. It measures 6" from the edge to the poll, and is 13-5/8" overall."
from http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/scarce-mephisto-1924-patent-andrew-507652171
That's gotta be the damndest thing! I'd a bought a couple of those too as conversation pieces if they were in the store clearance bin due to lack of sales. Cheney might have anticipated that too when they gave it product number 777 instead of devilish 666.This?
Cheney No. 777 Type 3 (adze-hammer)
Bob
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2011
- Messages
- 2,654
Also the Mephisto branded hammer in the ad has the Bensen/Cheney patent date on it (compare to the third picture in my post #2543). I wonder when Mephisto started making these hammers? Did RICKOFF' s hammer originally have a patent date that got worn off (I couldn't see any trace)?Looks like this Mephisto hammer (from Mephisto Tool Co., Hudson NY):
"Scarce Mephisto 1924 Patent "Andrew Bensen Patent" Adze Hammer
Virtually identical to the 3rd. type "Bensen Patent" made by the Cheney Co. this is a Mephisto adze hammer. It measures 6" from the edge to the poll, and is 13-5/8" overall."
from http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/scarce-mephisto-1924-patent-andrew-507652171
More Cheney info:
"The Cheney No. 777 Type 3 (formerly known as Third Generation) was significantly redesigned. The adz was narrowed from 2" to 1 11/16", lengthened about 1", and the sides reshaped to smoothly blend into the shaft ... Yet they retained Bensons patent date....It was marked NEW in Catalog No. 25 published circa 1941."
"1954 On Friday February 19th the Henry Cheney Hammer Company was sold to the Collins Company of Collinsville, Connecticut."
"1966 The Collins Company was sold to Mann Edge Tool Company of Lewiston, Pennsylvania."
"1979 The buildings that once housed the Henry Cheney Hammer Company on the south side of West Mill Street in Little Falls, NY were demolished."
above from: http://jtc.net/hchc/
Bob
Bob Thanks for all the great info, there is no trace what so ever on my head of a patent date so I have no idea weather it was made before or after that date but is defiantly smoothed like the Chaney's and is one and five eights inches across the adz bit.
Square_peg
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2012
- Messages
- 13,811
I think this one might be hung upside down. Right side up the toes might look more intact.
The reason for reversibles is because toes wear out first. When it's time to re-hang, flip it.
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2014
- Messages
- 3,741
Unless what I have been told has been greatly over-promised, today has potential to be a great one. I'm going to a 30 bay barn that is supposedly packed with all sorts of old tools. Apparently the guy liked what we like and was also a hoarder. The relatives need it cleaned out. I'm bringing a pile of cash and depending on what I find I may have to make another trip or two. I am told that there are over 100 axes/hatches and old ones of all shapes and types. Over 100 hammers. And that is just the tip. Wish it was easy to ship saws, that's why I usually pass on them. There may be some I just buy for me, not that I have a ton of use for them. There are supposedly a handful of post vises (no anvils, I asked). Machinist tools, mechanic tools, logging, railroad, farm tools. I may buy a ton and still pass on most of it, I may want more than I think, I may be disappointed and only come home with a few select items. This place is 75 miles away- anticipation........
Hopefully I will have lots of nice goodies to show off. Wish me luck.
Hopefully I will have lots of nice goodies to show off. Wish me luck.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2014
- Messages
- 24
Picked this up a couple weeks ago at the flea market. It's a Stanley-marked hatchet, head is in very nice shape. Cost was $1. The handle needs to be cleaned up a bit and the part that goes into the hatchet head is fair. Normally I'd replace the handle, but to keep the hatchet all-original with the Stanley marking, I'll replace it on the original stick and use some epoxy along with the wedge to keep the handle in place.
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2014
- Messages
- 3,741
I drive a Honda Fit.
I was able to get everything for $275. Lots of good axes, a few Swedish, nice Craftsman, Plumb, Legitimus, Rixford, Norlund etc and some TBD. Lots of NOS Heller files, lots more near new Nicholson and other old quality files. Hammers, chisels, replacement handles, punches etc. and other random things. I really like the red hatchet sized brush hook. Lots of Connies.
Last edited: