"Kelly Oil Whetted Hand Honed Axe", how old exactly? Possibly 1800's

N

NDAnderson

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Apr 11, 2023
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Hello gents (is that sexist now? probably).
Got this axe from my 97 yr old grandpa that has embossed "Kelly Oil Whetted Hand Honed Axe". How old might this be?

52811044318_4909eba6d2_b.jpg


Identical engraving as mine:
52810030402_0e7bf6def2_n.jpg


(better pictures of an identical one):
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kelly-hand-honed-oil-whetted-embossed-felling-axe

Some info I found on Kelly Axe Mfg. Co.:
http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Kelly Axe Mfg. Co. .html
 
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catspa said:
Can’t answer your question, but want to go on record in favor of hand honing. My feet are just not nimble enough for that task, and can’t get a good grip, plus my toes cramp up before long.

Yep, hand honing is definitely superior.

Parker
Click to expand...
So what about your teeth? You should be able to get a pretty good grip with your teeth, don't you think? T-A
 
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to the OP:
What a cool axe! and extra special that it was your grandfathers! No sure about the date, but definitely pretty old.

regarding the thread tangent: prehistoric people used to use their mouth/teeth as tools all the time. when you needed hold something and work with both hands, your teeth were used as a vise.
 
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NDAnderson said:
Hello gents (is that sexist now? probably).
Got this axe from my 97 yr old grandpa that has embossed "Kelly Oil Whetted Hand Honed Axe". How old might this be?

52811044318_4909eba6d2_b.jpg


Identical engraving as mine:
52810030402_0e7bf6def2_n.jpg


(better pictures of an identical one):
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kelly-hand-honed-oil-whetted-embossed-felling-axe

Some info I found on Kelly Axe Mfg. Co.:
http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Kelly Axe Mfg. Co. .html
Click to expand...

It would have been nice if you had taken some better photos of it that showed the entire axe head without your hand in the way or most of it being cropped out. Better photos would have given more clues for those looking at your thread.
 
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I have seen that stamp advertised someplace. I think it was from a pre1910 catalog, but I have no idea how long they produced it.
And like has been mentioned your hand is covering the axe. I think early 1900's Kelly was doing overlaid bits.
 
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