Square_peg
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- Joined
- Feb 1, 2012
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Here's the profile of my Warren cedar spud.

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 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.
The more I study my mystery tool, the more confused I get. It has a hand-forged rat-tail tang with no shoulder. Any tool intended to be struck on the back of its handle would have a shoulder so as not to force the tang further and further into the handle. Or, it would have a socket instead of a rat-tail like almost every barking spud I've seen in Google images. It's way too stout to be a scraper and not sharp enough. And why the single bevel??Here's the profile of my Warren cedar spud.
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Appears Blacksmith made. I am guessing it was socketed into a long 6’-7’ straight handle and used as a de-Barking chisel.The more I study my mystery tool, the more confused I get. It has a hand-forged rat-tail tang with no shoulder. Any tool intended to be struck on the back of its handle would have a shoulder so as not to force the tang further and further into the handle. Or, it would have a socket instead of a rat-tail like almost every barking spud I've seen in Google images. It's way too stout to be a scraper and not sharp enough. And why the single bevel??
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I have more questions than answers! T-A
I've often re-sharpened SDS roto-hammer chisels to single bevel for doing more precise work. You can really smooth a concrete face with such a chisel, bevel side down, and a gentle touch. It allows you to attack the work at a lower angle so that your force goes across the surface rather than down into the surface. I swear by this method.If it were for cutting stone or brick, I'd expect the bevel to be centered.
A heavy square cut washer could serve as the shoulder.Any tool intended to be struck on the back of its handle would have a shoulder so as not to force the tang further and further into the handle.
Followup on the axes/hatchets: boy's ax haft was pretty dry-rotted.More time spent junquing:
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It was a moving sale, and the guy was practically giving stuff away! T-A
A little thick / heavy for my preferences, but it sure does look like a great quality machete.Nice looking Bolo machete! John
I have a Everkeen Hammond side hatchet, not as nice as that one. It's the only one I have seen that has an overlaid bit rather than just forge welding the steel to the flat side. Maybe it's just a Hammond thing not sure.Followup on the axes/hatchets: boy's ax haft was pretty dry-rotted.
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Head has eye ridges, a hint of red paint, and a rough finish, suggesting it's a TT Woodslasher. It's unbranded, bearing only the mark "D2". What's that mean?
Hewing hatchet had nice markings hiding under 100 plus years of dirt/oxidation: View attachment 2335325
It is also stamped "EVERKEEN" near the bit. The haft isn't pretty, but it's solid, so I'm leaving it for now. The half hatchet is in good shape, but it's sterile and not particularly exciting. I wish the SODERFORS chisel was a 175 lb anvil!! Thanks for watching! T-A
Nice amazing haulA lady I met at a garage sale invited me to look through her late husband's garage full of treasures. I came home with these goodies:
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My favorite is the Kent pattern/masting axe. The marking, DOUGLAS AXE MFG/CAST STEEL WARRANTED/MGF BY W. HUNT, dates it to the second half of the nineteenth century. Other markings on other hatchets include EVERKEEN and VAUGHAN. The boy's axe haft appears to be hand-made, but while it has great grain, it's a bit on the chunky side. Thanks for watching! T-A
That’s an amazing haul! Love the Douglas/Hunt.A lady I met at a garage sale invited me to look through her late husband's garage full of treasures. I came home with these goodies:
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My favorite is the Kent pattern/masting axe. The marking, DOUGLAS AXE MFG/CAST STEEL WARRANTED/MGF BY W. HUNT, dates it to the second half of the nineteenth century. Other markings on other hatchets include EVERKEEN and VAUGHAN. The boy's axe haft appears to be hand-made, but while it has great grain, it's a bit on the chunky side. Thanks for watching! T-A
The lady from whom I acquired the lot said her late husband was a pack rat who brought home stuff he liked. These tools were still hanging in their garage such that they were not easily accessible. He just liked looking at them. T-AGreat haul there.
I wonder what he was upto with them axes, wood carver maybe working with logs? Open hangs mostly and even the boys axe handle is slanted open.
I love those suction grip handles too, is it a Hartwell?
The more I study my mystery tool, the more confused I get. It has a hand-forged rat-tail tang with no shoulder. Any tool intended to be struck on the back of its handle would have a shoulder so as not to force the tang further and further into the handle. Or, it would have a socket instead of a rat-tail like almost every barking spud I've seen in Google images. It's way too stout to be a scraper and not sharp enough. And why the single bevel??
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I have more questions than answers! T-A
Seems most likely. T-AIce chisel?
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