Lewis Axe Co, Lewistown Pa. ??????

S

Sudsy

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Dec 2, 2009
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Picked up a few hand tools the other day including these two axes that I spend the afternoon polishing up, a Plumb 4lb (Michigan Pattern?) and one I can't Identify, a 5lb (Dayton style?) Lewis Axe Co., out of Lewistown Pa.

That's the home of the Mann family of axes, so I'm thinking it's a sub-brand of theirs ??

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31755245_1946826988663196_1021298057112715264_n.jpg
 
That's a Dayton not a Michigan.

Now I will say that next time you should just use a wire wheel to remove only the rust, polishing up old hand tools isn't normally seen as a good thing around here.
They're your tools to do with as you wish, but you should just know it's not a popular practice around here.
 
I normally don't but i plan on using these and I've found they work a bit better when they're slicked up a bit. They'll both be getting a forced blued patina.

And yes, turned out I was correct (not that it was that much of a stretch to make the assumption), part of the Mann family of axes- just found this, from "The Iron Age", Volume 73:

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They're similar, but Michigan have a rounded poll, as well as heel and toe, while a Dayton has square corners. The heel and toe can change a lot with use and how the tool is ground, but the poll always gives it away.

Those will look nice and will be good users after you get them hung.
 
I think you did just fine in polishing them up. I've noticed that improves performance. I just don't normally do it. My Mann has more of a rounded off poll. DM
 
Both good axes. The Plumb will make an extraordinary user. It's not been abused. Plus it has the classic high centerline and bevels that make for an efficient bucker/splitter. I'd take a little off the heel and center to match the toe. Then restore the factory banana grind and love it for a whole long time.
 
Sudsy said:
...part of the Mann family of axes- just found this, from "The Iron Age", Volume 73...
Click to expand...
That reference to "Lewis Axe Company" is from 1904, and judging by the scarcity of other examples online, I'd say that axe is not just old, it's rare. Congrats!

On page 48 of "American Axes" by Kauffman, there's a quote from an 1897 booklet from Mann that says, "Our regular second quality axes are stamped "Lewis Axe Co." and labeled "The Jack Frost Axe."

s-l1600.jpg
 
Page from a their catalog-- that's over 100 years old And the box they were shipped in. Steve Tall, your too much. You da man... Great
info.. DM
 
Sudsy said:
Picked up a few hand tools the other day including these two axes that I spend the afternoon polishing up, a Plumb 4lb (Michigan Pattern?) and one I can't Identify, a 5lb (Dayton style?) Lewis Axe Co., out of Lewistown Pa.

That's the home of the Mann family of axes, so I'm thinking it's a sub-brand of theirs ?? Can you post another pic without that shadow?

31784241_1946826835329878_2604184365445414912_n.jpg
31755245_1946826988663196_1021298057112715264_n.jpg
Click to expand...
Everybody has focused on Lewis Axe Co mark, but there is another one: SQM: factory mark or just initials of the owner?
 
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Sudsy said:
Rare ?? I was NOT expecting that
And i went and polished it
Son of a Bugger !!!!!

Hey Hickory n Steel - you were right :(
Click to expand...

Nah, it's no big deal.
You learned that an axe could be obscure and to find out before polishing it up, and you didn't exactly remove a bunch for f material to get every single pit out because that's where the real problem of removing stampings comes in.
 
Thanks ... I love to be surprised by those additional markings like WPA, CWA, or railroad names hiding under layer of rust. Unfortunately, SQM does not ring a bell.
 
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