It followed me home (Part 2)

RICKOFF · Mar 27, 2016

Yes that's quite true, i was being cheeky when i said cleaned and sharpened and rehafted, just terrible workmanship but a reasonable cost just to get the bits. I removed the hafts yesterday and put them in the pile to re hang one day, anyways check out the wedges.

garry3 · Mar 29, 2016

jblyttle said:
And today....

I paid $40 for the Parker vise, $60 for everything else.

Looks like maybe a hollow tool handle on the bottom left?

Your last batch had some nice looking axes in there also.
I am like a kid at Christmas when I get some old tools. first thing I have to do is look for stamps under rust and patina.

garry3 · Mar 29, 2016

RICKOFF said:
I got these 2 of of Craig's List, as you can see the have been re hafted, cleaned and sharpened all for a reasonable price. I'm going to re-re haft both with the correct ones. Not sure what the Swedish 4 1/4# also it has the number 4 on the bottom of the poll (please help with identification) but the Kelly was worth the price of admission.View attachment 624770
View attachment 624663 View attachment 624664 View attachment 624662 View attachment 624665

That Falls City is pretty sweet.
I am not sure why but that made in Sweden stamp reminds me of a Banko. If it is I think you will probably have a real good axe. It looks the part also.

RICKOFF · Mar 29, 2016

Thanks Garry, I'm new at posting here even tho I joined in 2009 but got side tracked for a few years. You can check my other post on help with Swedish axe heads, it has better pics without the haft.

jblyttle · Mar 29, 2016

garry3 said:
Looks like maybe a hollow tool handle on the bottom left?

Your last batch had some nice looking axes in there also.
I am like a kid at Christmas when I get some old tools. first thing I have to do is look for stamps under rust and patina.

Yeah it's really nice too. The handle is packed with tools- files, drills, screwdrivers, a coping saw and others.

Grimalkin · Mar 31, 2016

Been looking for a head like this for awhile and finally snagged it. Got it on ebay with "make an offer". Good deal at $19. 5 5/8 long, 3 5/8 bit size, 1.6lb. I am wanting to make a Vintage American "SFA", this will chop and split 10x better than the swede. I already gave her a vinegar bath and cleaned her up, working on the handle fit now. MOst of the heads I found on ebay from kelly were shorter head length and bit length but with more weight...so I'm happy I found this one!

This was taken last night when it came in, I wanted to get a pic of the original wood it had. Any idea on the age of this?

Square_peg · Apr 2, 2016

I think they closed the Kelly Works in the early 1980's. Someone here will have the timeline.

That was probably a boy's axe to begin with and likely weighed 2 to 2-1/4 pounds. It's worn as evidenced by the top view. But it's still got plenty life and should perform well in the role you have planned for it. Keep us posted.

jblyttle · Apr 2, 2016

Square_peg said:
I think they closed the Kelly Works in the early 1980's. Someone here will have the timeline.

That was probably a boy's axe to begin with and likely weighed 2 to 2-1/4 pounds. It's worn as evidenced by the top view. But it's still got plenty life and should perform well in the role you have planned for it. Keep us posted.

I was thinking that it was more like a 1.75lb large hatchet head. It has wear, but it doesn't look like it has enough to go from 2.25lb to 1.6lb. But then again I don't think that I have seen a TT/KW Dayton head that was smaller than boy's axe sized. I know nothing.

Square_peg · Apr 2, 2016

Could have been a 2 pound house axe.

Square_peg · Apr 2, 2016

I bought this one recently, 2-3/4 pound Warren fire axe on original haft. I think this was a ceremonial/award axe. There's a remnant of a sticker on one side the includes the words 'Celebrate' and 'Fire'. I can't make out the rest of it. 22-5/8" haft.

I also have a full size Warren fire axe to pair with this little guy.

Square_peg · Apr 2, 2016

Bought this today, an old aluminum frame Black & Decker Workmate, $15. Also bought the 8" Stearns - made in USA - C-clamp, $5.

I use the workmate as a portable sharpening station. (The vise didn't come with it. It's a drop-in attachment.) Twice a year our local trails group holds a tool sharpening party. I typically go through a pile of pulaskis on this day, sharpening them on my portable bench. My old steel-frame bench is in the background. That will go to my son-in-law. It's a good bench but not as nice as the aluminum frame bench.

jblyttle · Apr 2, 2016

Square_peg said:
I bought this one recently, 2-3/4 pound Warren fire axe on original haft. I think this was a ceremonial/award axe. There's a remnant of a sticker on one side the includes the words 'Celebrate' and 'Fire'. I can't make out the rest of it. 22-5/8" haft.

I also have a full size Warren fire axe to pair with this little guy.

That has a nice point, too many of those get abused.

rockman0 · Apr 2, 2016

Square_peg said:
I bought this one recently, 2-3/4 pound Warren fire axe on original haft. I think this was a ceremonial/award axe. There's a remnant of a sticker on one side the includes the words 'Celebrate' and 'Fire'. I can't make out the rest of it. 22-5/8" haft.

Nice find! Seldom seen in that size.

quinton · Apr 2, 2016

Square_peg said:
I bought this one recently, 2-3/4 pound Warren fire axe on original haft. I think this was a ceremonial/award axe. There's a remnant of a sticker on one side the includes the words 'Celebrate' and 'Fire'. I can't make out the rest of it. 22-5/8" haft.

I also have a full size Warren fire axe to pair with this little guy.

I have one of these too. I love the full fawns foot on the handle. I walked passed one for years hanging just to the right of the steps, by the fire extinguisher when boarding the school bus. I wonder if a school bus has a fire axe these days?

300Six · Apr 2, 2016

quinton said:
I wonder if a school bus has a fire axe these days?

Nope! Currently I drive a 2015 72 passenger chrome yellow International Corp and the 1 3/4 lb hatchet/hand axe in it says 'China'. My previous bus (a 2005 IC model) had a Council Tools hand axe with a factory-scalloped (sort of like a steak knife) blade. Via not being outright pointy that blade was wonderful for chipping ice build up from the stair treads. Can't do that with the version I have now and have to resort to busting ice with the poll.
The Thomas-built buses as of 2-3 years ago no longer feature axes but have a short red-painted crow bar mounted near the door instead.

quinton · Apr 2, 2016

300Six said:
Nope! Currently I drive a 2015 72 passenger chrome yellow International Corp and the 1 3/4 lb hatchet/hand axe in it says 'China'. My previous bus (a 2005 IC model) had a Council Tools hand axe with a factory-scalloped (sort of like a steak knife) blade. Via not being outright pointy that blade was wonderful for chipping ice build up from the stair treads. Can't do that with the version I have now and have to resort to busting ice with the poll.
The Thomas-built buses as of 2-3 years ago no longer feature axes but have a short red-painted crow bar mounted near the door instead.

What a shame/how wonderful; depending on what side of politics one is on.

Steve Tall · Apr 2, 2016

Square_peg said:
...There's a remnant of a sticker on one side the includes the words 'Celebrate' and 'Fire'.

...

Looks like Warren's "Celebrated" Axe brand:

http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears%20Tools/Warren%20Axe%20%26%20Tool%20Co..html

Square_peg · Apr 3, 2016

Thank you, Steve.

300Six · Apr 3, 2016

Square_peg said:
I bought this one recently, 2-3/4 pound Warren fire axe on original haft. I think this was a ceremonial/award axe. There's a remnant of a sticker on one side the includes the words 'Celebrate' and 'Fire'. I can't make out the rest of it. 22-5/8" haft.

Steve or was it Operator's hypothesis that Plumb head weights were stamped in pounds plus quarter-pounds seems to bear fruit in this Warren: the 2 ^ 3 stamp corresponds to 2 3/4 lb very nicely! Many Plumbs are stamped 3 ^ 2 which I always figured was 3 1/2 lb but in reality is expressed as 3 ^ 2/4. I'm still looking out for Plumb examples to substantiate that but this Warren constitutes a good one.

RICKOFF · Apr 3, 2016

This is what I call a good day in SoCal! Hatchet marked U.S. no date, True Temper No. 1224 ball pein and Made in W Germany 1 1/2# that I think is a Power Master all for 10$