King Axe and Tool project

M

Maine20

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Aug 8, 2017
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https://imgur.com/a/1ISz6

I just picked up this 2.5 pound King Axe and Tool Co. (Oakland Maine) head to pair up with a vintage 29 inch oak handle my father gave me. I smoothed out some of the mushrooming and gave it a light wire brushing. No vinegar bath and I am not planning on doing one. It’s been pounded on some but seams to be in great shape.

Here is some info that Steve Tall provided on the company from another tread:

Some information about King Axe and Tool Co., from a couple sources:

"...King and Messer from 1902 to 1906produced axes, and
probably became the King Axe and Tool Co from 1907 to either
1912 or 1917. It became the John King Axe Company, in
business from 1923 to 1925, then Marsh and Sons from 1926 to
1944. However, King Axe and Tool Company also operated
from 1933 to 1946, and John KingProducts produced axes from
1944 to 1946."
quoted from Some Tidbits of Oakland History, by Michael J Denis, page 43

"At the opening of the new century the numerous firms manufacturing edge tools during much of the 19th century were reduced to three; the Dunn Edge Tool Company, Emerson & Stevens, and the American Axe and Tool Company. The last was to be out of business soon after the century began, leaving only two, but in 1907 they were joined by the King Axe Company. With an earlier existence as King & Messer, the company continued under its new name until 1922 when it was sold to others, then some twenty years later was resurrected and survived for a brief time as King Axe and ToolCompany."
quoted from Kallop, Edward L. Jr. (2003). A history of the North Wayne Tool Co.manufacturers of axes, corn hooks, scythes and hay knives. Wayne Historical Society, Wayne, ME, page 109, referenced at http://www.davistownmuseum.org/bibToolMe.htm
 
I believe the heads made in Oakland all had forge welded bits of some kind. This looks like an overcoat bit to me but not really sure.
 
junkenstien said:
You can get 28 inch boys axe handles anywhere man you need a full size Maine pattern something
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I considered getting or making a new boys axe handle but I think it would be cool to put a old Maine head on an old Maine handle. The length is correct and the eye can be shaved down without too much trouble. With that said I’m fairly new at this so I will definitely consider suggestions any of you may have regarding this head/handle combo.
 
Maine20 said:
I considered getting or making a new boys axe handle but I think it would be cool to put a old Maine head on an old Maine handle. The length is correct and the eye can be shaved down without too much trouble. With that said I’m fairly new at this so I will definitely consider suggestions any of you may have regarding this head/handle combo.
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I think you are right. That handle and head belong together, both beautiful and share their home state lineage.
Let us see when you are finished.
 
Yes sir ,that is a nice head .Think I read on axeconnected that 29 30 was standard length for full size axes up in that part of the world.Dont know how long it's been since oak handles were available but I bet it's been a long time and I know it's hard to find full size eyes in shorter lengths,think I would hold out for a spiller or e s or a 3lb ct or jersey.
 
Oak (whether it be a Red or a White variety) will give you good service providing the blank or billet from which the handle was turned was properly selected. NOS (this is how I'd describe an old unused handle) can be 'hit or miss'. Sometimes some of these resurface many years after being orphaned when all the better/nicer ones have been used up, and other times they're single handles that were specifically set aside because they were 'perfect' but never got installed. I'd love to see some pictures.
You're unlikely to over-use or abuse the finished product so either way I would say: Go for it!
 
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300Six said:
Oak (whether it be a Red or a White variety) will give you good service providing the blank or billet from which the handle was turned was properly selected. NOS (this is how I'd describe an old unused handle) can be 'hit or miss'. Sometimes some of these resurface many years after being orphaned when all the better/nicer ones have been used up, and other times they're single handles that were specifically chosen because they were 'perfect' but never got installed. I'd love to see some pictures.
You're unlikely to over-use or abuse the finished product so either way I would say: Go for it!
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Link to pictures:
https://imgur.com/a/1ISz6
If you scroll down you will see the handle. I just realized you may have ment finished pictures...I will post those when I have a chance to work on it. Hopefully soon....
My father can’t remember where he got the handle it, just that he had it for a long time.
 
Maine20 said:
Link to pictures:
https://imgur.com/a/1ISz6
If you scroll down you will see the handle. I just realized you may have ment finished pictures...I will post those when I have a chance to work on it. Hopefully soon....
My father can’t remember where he got the handle it, just that he had it for a long time.
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Your dad is a disciple of the quinton school of haft selection; horizontal grain orientation! Along the length the grain is nice and straight though and there's nothing suspicious-looking.
Have fun with it!
From the picture I cannot distinguish whether it's Red or White Oak but I'd like to think it's a White because Maine folks that couldn't find Hickories locally (I don't think these trees are common in the NE) for sure knew through experience and folklore (whaling boat and Clipper ship builders) about the strength, durability and rot resistance of Whites.
 
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Maine20 said:
I figured out how to post photos without having to click on a link or thumbnail. I think. Only took me a month.








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Looks great :thumbsup:
btw what did you do to post them?
All I do is copy the hotlink for forums and it works every time.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Looks great :thumbsup:
btw what did you do to post them?
All I do is copy the hotlink for forums and it works every time.
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I was using Imgur but all I could get were links. Maybe I was missing something? Anyway I read a recommendation you made to use postimage.com and checked it out. I feel it is the easiest/simplest hosting site that I’ve looked at. Yes, using the hotlink for forums option is the way to go.
 
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Lovely! I'm gonna' go out on a limb and guess at that being red oak. We don't have much white oak in Maine (even though there is some) and red is far more common, plus that has the look of it to my eye. We may not have much for hickory here, but we do have plenty of ash, beech, and maple, as well as black locust, which would be one of the best hickory replacements in the area, I think. I have made and used red oak handles from local wood, and not experienced any trouble from any of them.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Lovely! I'm gonna' go out on a limb and guess at that being red oak. We don't have much white oak in Maine (even though there is some) and red is far more common, plus that has the look of it to my eye. We may not have much for hickory here, but we do have plenty of ash, beech, and maple, as well as black locust, which would be one of the best hickory replacements in the area, I think. I have made and used red oak handles from local wood, and not experienced any trouble from any of them.
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Thanks! I think it’s red oak also. I can’t believe how much danish oil the handle is soaking up. Much more then when I have used boiled linseed oil on ash or hickory. I know I am not comparing apples to apples but I still find it interesting.
 
This sheath came with the axe head. Looks like someone made it from repurposed leather, you can see the old stitching holes. It’s lined inside with wood, cant say I’ve seen anything like it. It’s a bit bulky but I will keep it, someone put a fair amount of time in to it.




 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Lovely! I'm gonna' go out on a limb and guess at that being red oak. We don't have much white oak in Maine (even though there is some) and red is far more common, plus that has the look of it to my eye. We may not have much for hickory here, but we do have plenty of ash, beech, and maple, as well as black locust, which would be one of the best hickory replacements in the area, I think. I have made and used red oak handles from local wood, and not experienced any trouble from any of them.
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That surprises me. These (White Oak/Bur Oak) are generally a roadside, open area or forest edge tree and (if the situation is similar to southern Ontario/Quebec) many farms will have one or two magnificent specimens out in the middle of an open field. The commercial value is more for marine or structural purposes then it is for flooring/furniture and you cannot expect to gather up an entire semi-trailer load from one location like you can with Red Oak and Maple.
 
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