It followed me home (Part 2)

The better option is coating your axe with several coats of BLO or tung, whatever you prefer. But no need to soak it. Old weathered handles should get 4-6 heavy coats of BLO. The BLO soaked wood will still be stronger and more resilient than the old weathered wood.
 
jake pogg said:
Many moons ago i've spent time at a place where got to watch this local Park ranger do something quite funky:He chucked an axe head down in a vice,and drilled a 1/4" hole in the butt of the handle that faced up vertically.Then he inserted this tiny funnel in that hole,and for several days kept topping it off with linseed oil(don't remember if he cut it with solvent or not).He kept it going till the oil came dripping out the other end at the head...Then he sealed both ends(with some oil-compatible goop,forgot what it was he used...).
I was very interested,never having seen the like.And at one point he demonstrated to me the efficacy of the method.With a 6 lb splitting maul(he was doing it to all the handles he could get his hands on:),he deliberately overshot a stump,kinda scary-hard,and the handle not only didn't get damaged,but visibly flexed and bounced,rubber-like...The degree of deflection it sustained was impressive.
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It was an old fashion carpenters trick to bore and plug the handles after they were filled with oil. It was said to help prevent blisters. I have seen it done and I believe a manufacturer even made a hammer that was prebored for this purpose at one time. I could never understand how a guy could be concerned about blisters when he swung a hammer all day. Maybe it helps with keeping the calluses down?
 
I am going to need to look into Flickr now I suppose.

Boston to Hartford
All Aboard!

ToxoURn.jpg


57iteHd.jpg


DLiJqrp.jpg


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When you travel.
Hands down the most fun, smoothest, easiest, fastest...Best route on the East Coast!
:thumbsup::cool::thumbsup:​
 
Yes sir it was the prize of the day for sure!! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. And $15.... got outa here!! I know some would say this is “just” a Woodslasher but for me it is a long awaited union lol. I am rehanging it now and it’s turning out great! Better than I could ask for really. I’m going to let it set today so I can set the wedge a little deeper then I will sharpen later. The file test compared to my Flint Edge hatchet. I think it will become my new truck axe and see a lot of use!!! Thank you for the kind words!
 


So the one on the left followed me home today. It is a Keen Kutter. I put it next to a Collins half hatchet to show the difference in the handle. It is like a normal half hatchet handle then it is longer and has a swell that is curved for the hammer side. The head has red paint on it and the handle also has a reddish hew at the bottom. It is either an original handle or a vintage replacement handle. The handle shows no sign of being homemade. But it is possible. Has anyone else seen this type of handle??
 
Brian Rust said:
...has a swell that is curved for the hammer side. The head has red paint on it and the handle also has a reddish hew at the bottom. It is either an original handle or a vintage replacement handle. The handle shows no sign of being homemade. But it is possible. Has anyone else seen this type of handle??
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I'm guessing it's a Plumb "rigster" hatchet handle (replacement) on that Keen Kutter hatchet head. The Keen Kutter catalog from 1939 has a "rig builders hatchet" on page 847, but the handle is white and doesn't have a prominent flare on the hammer side.

The Plumb catalog from 1965ish was still showing an asymmetric flared knob on their "rigster" hatchet handle, and it's red.

BookReaderImages.php

https://archive.org/stream/PlumbTools1965#page/n9/mode/2up
 
Brian Rust said:


So the one on the left followed me home today. It is a Keen Kutter. I put it next to a Collins half hatchet to show the difference in the handle. It is like a normal half hatchet handle then it is longer and has a swell that is curved for the hammer side. The head has red paint on it and the handle also has a reddish hew at the bottom. It is either an original handle or a vintage replacement handle. The handle shows no sign of being homemade. But it is possible. Has anyone else seen this type of handle??
Click to expand...
That's a sweet Keen Kutter.
I think the user probably modified that handle. And judging by the bit I am guessing that tool has seen some use, the milled face is probably also worn? Those things break handles like crazy. The handle has probably been replaced many times over.
 
Garry, It is hard to get the likeness in the picture but if I could I bet you would see it hasn’t been altered. But it is possible.

Steve Tall said:
I'm guessing it's a Plumb "rigster" hatchet handle (replacement) on that Keen Kutter hatchet head. The Keen Kutter catalog from 1939 has a "rig builders hatchet" on page 847, but the handle is white and doesn't have a prominent flare on the hammer side.

The Plumb catalog from 1965ish was still showing an asymmetric flared knob on their "rigster" hatchet handle, and it's red.

BookReaderImages.php

https://archive.org/stream/PlumbTools1965#page/n9/mode/2up
Click to expand...

Steve, the head also has a waffled face on the hammer... when was the earliest mention of the waffle pattern? If I had to guess it would probably be an new example right?
 
Brian Rust said:
Steve, the head also has a waffled face on the hammer... when was the earliest mention of the waffle pattern? If I had to guess it would probably be an new example right?
Click to expand...


The "rig builders hatchet" on page 847 of The Keen Kutter catalog from 1939 has a "checkered face", and the 1912 Keen Kutter catalog has a lathing hatchet with a round "checkered face", and a tobacco hatchet (3-1/2" bit) with a "checkered poll", but the 1912 catalog apparently doesn't have a"rig builders hatchet".

BookReaderImages.php

BookReaderImages.php
 
The unhung DB looks pretty sweet!

Does the Tommy have a broken claw? Looks to be an original handle.
 
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