McKinnon Rockaway axes

[ithinkverydeeply]

I’ve been intrigued by McKinnon axes for some time now. Of course the look of the Rockaway pattern, history etc. But in no small part by this picture you’ve all see of J.H. Blanchard working the trip hammer with McKinnon looking on.

You probably already seen this great article about McKinnon’s and the evolution of the Rockaway.
https://www.craftsofnj.org/images/sitemedia/toolshed/Tool Shed No177-201409.pdf
It’s interesting how the axe WM McKinnon Sr. was making was a more of a Jersey pattern (Makes sense, he was in Jersey) and how it was refined into the Rockaway we know by the time his son William McKinnon was making them.

I’ve been hoping to get a good representation of one for quite a while and finally did, it’s well stamped and big!

It’s got Blanchard’s makers mark from 1913.

...and a 5lb stamp on the poll along with a random “z”. I heard what that was once before I’ll have to see if I can go back and find it. Proof mark maybe...? It’s

I’m taken back by how heavy the poll is and how much of a wedge shape it is. No cheeks at all.

Anyone else into these?

 

[jake pogg]

WOW.

 

[Fmont]

I'm in lust. I'll find mine, someday.

 

[Dusty One]

That is a Beauty....Thanks for the info and photos !

 

[Agent_H]

Amazing axe ithinkverydeeply !

 

[FLINT77]

Beautiful axe!! and YES! I also love the McKinnon Rockaway! I have the little brother to yours!

Here is mine


it is a 3^3, head weighs 3lbs 13oz


same profile


two years younger


and this pic isn't great, but has a beautiful original slim octagonal bent handle. When I got it, I clipped the tip of the fawn's foot off because it was all smashed and frayed. Also re set the head with a new wedge and removed the 100 year old cut nails out of the end

oh yeah, the haft is 29" and swings beautifully. It is also an example of how the vintage octagonal handles transitioned to round at the bottom where your stationary hand would be.

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Thanks guys! And that is a beaut F FLINT77 ! You know who to call if it ever needs to be rehoused.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

I’m taken back by how heavy the poll is and how much of a wedge shape it is. No cheeks at all.

I had quite a few Rockaway axes in my hands. Couple McKinnons and bunch of different makers. Looking from the top they looked like wedge pattern but all had high center line.

 

[Yankee Josh]

I’ve been intrigued by McKinnon axes for some time now. Of course the look of the Rockaway pattern, history etc. But in no small part by this picture you’ve all see of J.H. Blanchard working the trip hammer with McKinnon looking on.

You probably already seen this great article about McKinnon’s and the evolution of the Rockaway.
https://www.craftsofnj.org/images/sitemedia/toolshed/Tool Shed No177-201409.pdf
It’s interesting how the axe WM McKinnon Sr. was making was a more of a Jersey pattern (Makes sense, he was in Jersey) and how it was refined into the Rockaway we know by the time his son William McKinnon was making them.

I’ve been hoping to get a good representation of one for quite a while and finally did, it’s well stamped and big!

It’s got Blanchard’s makers mark from 1913.

...and a 5lb stamp on the poll along with a random “z”. I heard what that was once before I’ll have to see if I can go back and find it. Proof mark maybe...? It’s

I’m taken back by how heavy the poll is and how much of a wedge shape it is. No cheeks at all.

Anyone else into these?

Beautiful axe!! and YES! I also love the McKinnon Rockaway! I have the little brother to yours!

Here is mine


it is a 3^3, head weighs 3lbs 13oz


same profile


two years younger


and this pic isn't great, but has a beautiful original slim octagonal bent handle. When I got it, I clipped the tip of the fawn's foot off because it was all smashed and frayed. Also re set the head with a new wedge and removed the 100 year old cut nails out of the end

oh yeah, the haft is 29" and swings beautifully. It is also an example of how the vintage octagonal handles transitioned to round at the bottom where your stationary hand would be.

Man I am blown away away by these axes! I had no idea how beautiful they really were as I've ever only seen fairly worn out ones on fleabay. Almost bought one a couple different times! But never seen any that nice. GREAT! Now I need another axe. THANKS guys...

 

[Hairy Clipper]

The top photograph clearly showing multiple spinning wheels overhead to drive equipment are usually found in factories with a waterwheel for propulsion. I am wondering what the machine is behind the men that appears to have a 3-4 foot diameter flywheel? I do not see a heat source anywhere nearby. The dominant bushy mustaches were much more popular then than now.

I do not have a Rockaway in my meager collection, but, I keep looking. I am enjoying these photographs thoroughly, thanks for posting them gents! Unlike many others, Mr. McKinnon's mark is still easy to read after more than a century marking time and making wood chips. If these old axes could only talk and tell a few stories of what they have done and seen done and the characters that would swing them all day.

 

[Yankee Josh]

The top photograph clearly showing multiple spinning wheels overhead to drive equipment are usually found in factories with a waterwheel for propulsion. I am wondering what the machine is behind the men that appears to have a 3-4 foot diameter flywheel? I do not see a heat source anywhere nearby. The dominant bushy mustaches were much more popular then than now.

I do not have a Rockaway in my meager collection, but, I keep looking. I am enjoying these photographs thoroughly, thanks for posting them gents! Unlike many others, Mr. McKinnon's mark is still easy to read after more than a century marking time and making wood chips. If these old axes could only talk and tell a few stories of what they have done and seen done and the characters that would swing them all day.

That large double flywheel looks to me to be a steam engine. Maybe as a backup if the river is frozen or the water wheel broke. I can see everything spinning except the steam engine in the photo. Belt isn't hooked up. Pretty darn interesting!

 

[quinton]

The top photograph clearly showing multiple spinning wheels overhead to drive equipment are usually found in factories with a waterwheel for propulsion. I am wondering what the machine is behind the men that appears to have a 3-4 foot diameter flywheel? I do not see a heat source anywhere nearby. The dominant bushy mustaches were much more popular then than now.

I do not have a Rockaway in my meager collection, but, I keep looking. I am enjoying these photographs thoroughly, thanks for posting them gents! Unlike many others, Mr. McKinnon's mark is still easy to read after more than a century marking time and making wood chips. If these old axes could only talk and tell a few stories of what they have done and seen done and the characters that would swing them all day.

Probably an engine.

 

[Hairy Clipper]

Probably an engine.

I have seen small hit and miss gasoline powered engines at the Pioneer Power Show in Le Sueur Minnesota and they were more the size that might be used on an old washing machine that are about the size of a 10 horsepower lawn mower engine of today. They are very cool motors in my opinion and would be fun to have available for demonstration at BBQs and such or on a go cart.

 

[garry3]

I’ve been intrigued by McKinnon axes for some time now. Of course the look of the Rockaway pattern, history etc. But in no small part by this picture you’ve all see of J.H. Blanchard working the trip hammer with McKinnon looking on.

You probably already seen this great article about McKinnon’s and the evolution of the Rockaway.
https://www.craftsofnj.org/images/sitemedia/toolshed/Tool Shed No177-201409.pdf
It’s interesting how the axe WM McKinnon Sr. was making was a more of a Jersey pattern (Makes sense, he was in Jersey) and how it was refined into the Rockaway we know by the time his son William McKinnon was making them.

I’ve been hoping to get a good representation of one for quite a while and finally did, it’s well stamped and big!

It’s got Blanchard’s makers mark from 1913.

...and a 5lb stamp on the poll along with a random “z”. I heard what that was once before I’ll have to see if I can go back and find it. Proof mark maybe...? It’s

I’m taken back by how heavy the poll is and how much of a wedge shape it is. No cheeks at all.

Anyone else into these?

Damn!

 

[Meek1]

I’ve been intrigued by McKinnon axes for some time now. Of course the look of the Rockaway pattern, history etc. But in no small part by this picture you’ve all see of J.H. Blanchard working the trip hammer with McKinnon looking on.

You probably already seen this great article about McKinnon’s and the evolution of the Rockaway.
https://www.craftsofnj.org/images/sitemedia/toolshed/Tool Shed No177-201409.pdf
It’s interesting how the axe WM McKinnon Sr. was making was a more of a Jersey pattern (Makes sense, he was in Jersey) and how it was refined into the Rockaway we know by the time his son William McKinnon was making them.

I’ve been hoping to get a good representation of one for quite a while and finally did, it’s well stamped and big!

It’s got Blanchard’s makers mark from 1913.

...and a 5lb stamp on the poll along with a random “z”. I heard what that was once before I’ll have to see if I can go back and find it. Proof mark maybe...? It’s

I’m taken back by how heavy the poll is and how much of a wedge shape it is. No cheeks at all.

Anyone else into these?

ITVD, that is one hell of an axe. I enjoyed the history lesson even more. Thank you for sharing both. Always a good day when I can learn something new.

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Thanks you guys! Funny thing @Operator1975 was talking about them on todays podcast and apparently there is a Blanchard Rockaway someone picked up. I’m trying to get a photo of it...

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

 

[Square_peg]

Handsome axes, both of you!!

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

The top photograph clearly showing multiple spinning wheels overhead to drive equipment are usually found in factories with a waterwheel for propulsion. I am wondering what the machine is behind the men that appears to have a 3-4 foot diameter flywheel? I do not see a heat source anywhere nearby. The dominant bushy mustaches were much more popular then than now.

I do not have a Rockaway in my meager collection, but, I keep looking. I am enjoying these photographs thoroughly, thanks for posting them gents! Unlike many others, Mr. McKinnon's mark is still easy to read after more than a century marking time and making wood chips. If these old axes could only talk and tell a few stories of what they have done and seen done and the characters that would swing them all day.

I believe it was the belt of a buffing wheel that McKinnon got caught in and pulled up into the machine mangling him up enough to kill him three (I’m sure painful) years later in 1905.

 

[Hairy Clipper]

I believe it was the belt of a buffing wheel that McKinnon got caught in and pulled up into the machine mangling him up enough to kill him three (I’m sure painful) years later in 1905.

I just cringe thinking about that. There are numerous videos of workers getting caught in industrial tools and equipment circulating the Internet that show how quickly things go bad sometimes. Back in those days very few if any guards were put on machines and equipment making for a very dangerous working environment.