It followed me home (Part 2)

nzedge said:
hahah yea its not very easy to see in my first pics, but yea, without a doubt its a plumb :)
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An unused Plumb commercial/industrial rafting head! One that somehow worked it's way down to NZ. These never were hardware store specials (far as I know) which would make it wonderful if this implement could be coerced to talk. Plumb factory permabond hangs came into common use in the mid 1950s which makes me wonder if sales of heads might have been discontinued at about the same time.
As a collectible you're best off to leave it entirely alone but as a 'top drawer user' I guess you're entitled to scrape off the paint, engineer and craft a befitting handle, and truly enjoy fielding it. Resale won't have changed much 50 years from now (whether you use it or not) but at least you'll have got your money's worth.
 
nzedge said:
Today I acquired this ;) 5lb plumb rafting / construction axe
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Great addition to the collection. I have one but haven't gotten around to hanging it or obviously using it.

It looks especially mean in that picture.
 
300Six said:
An unused Plumb commercial/industrial rafting head! One that somehow worked it's way down to NZ. These never were hardware store specials (far as I know) which would make it wonderful if this implement could be coerced to talk. Plumb factory permabond hangs came into common use in the mid 1950s which makes me wonder if sales of heads might have been discontinued at about the same time.
As a collectible you're best off to leave it entirely alone but as a 'top drawer user' I guess you're entitled to scrape off the paint, engineer and craft a befitting handle, and truly enjoy fielding it. Resale won't have changed much 50 years from now (whether you use it or not) but at least you'll have got your money's worth.
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I must confess I found it on that evil website and had it shipped to me in NZ. I saw it, knew what it was so had to have it.
Shipping cost was killer but I guess you need to pay to play, especially if your in NZ. The chances of me finding one of these in NZ would be nil id say.
I had no choice but to drink too many beers to while staring at the listing, then when it felt right (enough beer)I followed through and set it on its long journey to NZ.
It was so worth it, lol =D

Agent_H im looking forward to hanging it, does look like it means business aye! :) :cool:
 
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Found this neat little item...Tack Puller it seems to be called...when I got it home it seemed pretty old but it looked like Nov 1995 stamped on it but now It looks more like PAT Nov 19.95....which would make it 1895 patent date and I guess it could have been made anytime after that? I just can't pass these vintage tools up when I see them for 2-3 bucks...:)

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Able_walker said:
Found this neat little item...Tack Puller it seems to be called...when I got it home it seemed pretty old but it looked like Nov 1995 stamped on it but now It looks more like PAT Nov 19.95....which would make it 1895 patent date and I guess it could have been made anytime after that? I just can't pass these vintage tools up when I see them for 2-3 bucks...:)

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Upholsterer's tool
 
"Upholsterer's tool "........Yeah.....and googling around it seems Cobblers have them in their tool kit as well. It could come in handy.
 
Thanks Steve! That's pretty cool...I've seen a few either listed or sold online and none had the PAT. date on them so maybe I have something earlier.They don't go for much but it's the history and research I like on stuff like this which is what the BladeForum is all about.
 
Able_walker said:
Thanks Steve! That's pretty cool...I've seen a few either listed or sold online and none had the PAT. date on them so maybe I have something earlier.They don't go for much but it's the history and research I like on stuff like this which is what the BladeForum is all about.
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Some more information, from an old auction listing (Martin J. Donnelly):

Length: 6.000in.
Maker : the Browne & Dodd Manufacturing Company, Meriden, Connecticut
Condition: GOOD+
U.S. Patent No.: 549895
Estimate: $50.00 - $100.00
SOLD: October 15, 2011
An example of BROWNE'S PATENT TACK PULLER as produced by the Browne & Dodd Manufacturing Company, Meriden, Connecticut. This variation on the tack puller was patented on November 19, 1895 by William G. Brown of Meriden. Much of the original nickel plating remains on this example, which is marked with the patent date on the head.

EDIT: Other sources show the company name is actually Browne & Dowd...
 
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Able_walker said:
"Upholsterer's tool "........Yeah.....and googling around it seems Cobblers have them in their tool kit as well. It could come in handy.
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Very interesting (enlightening, in fact) to view a very early example of 'marrying' a tool steel bit or blade (whether with machine screws, rivets, sleeves or pressure) with an ordinary steel shank without the use of welding or forging.
Great White North progeny Peter L. Robertson was the originator of the square drive screw which he patented in 1908, a mere 13 years after the patent of the tack lifter you feature. Fastener technology changed forever with his invention (Robertson, then Phillips, Allen, Torx, Posidrive etc) and PL became rich and famous and transformed the sleepy town of Milton, Ontario, Canada into a major manufacturing center. But PL Robertson also pioneered the manufacture of 'driver bits' whereby a hardened screwdriver tip (the bit) was fitted to a soft steel shank. As a former tool salesman I don't doubt that PL had come across an implement such as this during his travels, and realized the wonderful practicality of using two separately-made-and-formed types of steel!
 
Square_peg said:
Similar tool made with one piece of steel.

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/234548753/two-antique-upholstery-tack-pullers
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Notice that length of the blade is short and that leverage is much reduced over the 1895-featured two-piece jobbie. I don't know how Estwing does it but their blue flat bar is tough as nails throughout. I broke one once (when I was much younger and stronger) from prying very hard on something and the sudden break sent me flying arse over tea kettle.
 
Yes, Estwings I-beam prybars are amazing and a cut above the rest. I also broke one after many years very hard use and abuse. I thought it was indestructible and treated it accordingly. I replaced that one 20 years ago and have used the new one ever since.
 
I was fortunate enough to find all of this at one yardsale this morning. I paid $80 for everything.

 
Square_peg said:
Yes, Estwings I-beam prybars are amazing and a cut above the rest. I also broke one after many years very hard use and abuse. I thought it was indestructible and treated it accordingly. I replaced that one 20 years ago and have used the new one ever since.
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There's a German word for wonderful (Wunderbar) and long ago I started using it to describe the Estwing bar. No else makes a flat bar that's anywhere near as strong or as well designed. I don't know what roofers use these days but an Estwing reaches under shingles and pops nails like a dream. I notice the recent versions are made in Taiwan (not China!) but I'm well beyond the stage of seeking to destructive field test old vs new.
 
Grabbed this axe for $1. Had no idea who the maker was. Found out its a ne old yank. This was supposidly made by Emerson & Stevens for the new England axe co. That would explain the wedge like profile of this axe.
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What's cool is that the weight and makers mark stamp are double stamped.
 
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