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thomaxe

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Hello everybody on here! Just joined you this morning. Have recently developed a keen interest in all things axey! Just starting out by trying to slowly renovate a really old JM Swift, Sheffield(i suppose you would call it an axe) Its a monster of a thing-the head weighs 4lbs. The blade is a massive 5.5" wide. The previous owner, an elderly gentleman told me he bought it new in 1935! Its been well used and abused and is in a bit of a state but i think it can be retreived. It was caked with rust and has been for a vinegar bath and cleaned off and i've removed the handle which again, appears original in what i think is hickory and is 24" long. The handle had previously been loose and someone had inserted two nails into the head from the top. The wood around the top 1" or so had rotted a bit and was breaking off quite easily. Having removed the nails the head came off with some blows with a hard rubber mallet. The handle is now 1" shorter and would need a further 1" cutting off to return to good wood and it appears useable. I would like to know if anyone has any experience/knowledge of the axe/hatchet and perhaps help me with a strategy of how to move on from here. I've been doing some research and have a few of the necessary tools and equipment to hand. So, please, all input will be good i'm sure, I will upload some photos as soon as i can to help. I dont know if i can post photos yet or if i can how to do it also. Can someone please adivse me on that one ta?

thanks

Tom.
 
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Welcome aboard! Shoot us a pic of that axe when you have the chance. Of course you'll have to upload your image on the web somewhere and link to it unless you're a paid member here.
 
Hi Shanny19

Not being a complete computer geek the post about getting pictures on here is complete gobbledeegook to me. The only thing i've managed to do so far is register on photobucket and upload my photos from my pc. The rest is all beyond my knowledge-dont understand what the post is asking me to do-for example-"click in the address window of the pictures web page"...etc...etc plus all the other instructions-just dont understand never having done it before. Is there any simple way to do this please?
 
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thomaxe said:
Hi Shanny19

Not being a complete computer geek the post about getting pictures on here is complete gobbledeegook to me. The only thing i've managed to do so far is register on photobucket and upload my photos from my pc. The rest is all beyond my knowledge-dont understand what the post is asking me to do-for example-"click in the address window of the pictures web page"...etc...etc plus all the other instructions-just dont understand never having done it before. Is there any simple way to do this please?
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Take a deep breath and relax, this is easy. Go to you your photobucket page. At the top is a tab that says "Library" Put your mouse arrow on it and a tab will open below that says "View Library" at the top. Click on "View Library" Now you should see all the pictures you uploaded. Put your mouse arrow on a picture and a little icon that looks like a gear should appear in the corner. Put the arrow on that gear and a tab will open up below it with several options. Click on the one that says "Get Links". This will open a window with some more options. The bottom one says "IMG codes (for forums, boards)" There's some text under that which starts with something like [URL=http. If you click on that text it will copy it for you. Then come back to the forum and paste it into your post either by right clicking your mouse and choosing the "paste" option or by hitting ctrl + v (ctrl is at the bottom left of your keyboard). Ta-da
 
Hi

Thanks! Got one on there anyway-looks like i just threw it there tho'-never mind i'll get the hang of it i'm sure! Should be more careful where i throw my axe head!! Anyway there is the beast-ever seen anything so ugly? How can i improve things any mods, can i re-shape the head into more of an axe shape? And what was it used for originally-is it some sort specialist thing? Anyone any ideas please? Thanks again Aloksly!!! By the way the miniscule writing on the face says "JM Swift and sons Ltd. Sheffield, 4lbs"
 
That is a mast axe. Used for making ships masts in the days of wooden ships and other shipwright tasks. I don't know about mods, I would keep it as is and look for a more common axe.
 
halfaxe said:
That is a mast axe. Used for making ships masts in the days of wooden ships and other shipwright tasks. I don't know about mods, I would keep it as is and look for a more common axe.
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I'll second the above. That's not a bit you'll find lying around in a junk shop every day. There are plenty of Michigan style heads out there to break out the Dremel and grinder on.
 
Hi all

I've also been given a piece of black leather about 18" long 2" wide and .25" thick. Its black and shiny on the outside and blackish, dull and a shade rougher on the inside. I'm told its leftover from making a saddle. It looks like its coated with something on the outside-would this be a wax or is it just dyed. Anyway is it any use as a strop please?

Tom.
 
I can't tell you if it was purpose build as a strop but to as to whether or not you can use it as one I'd say try to use it, if it works keep using it. I've stropped knife blades on leather scraps, my jeans, and as a "party trick" on my bare palm. If it works to break the wire then it's strop material.
 
I think it's a little smaller than a masting axe. I'd simply call it a Sheffield pattern axe. But by any name it's a fine looking axe.
 
Hi Square_peg

Thanks very much for your vote of confidence in my first attempt in the world of axes. I must say that after the previous replies, although very much appreciated and helpful, i was feeling a little jaded and had put it back on the shelf and left it alone for a few days but, now you have renewed my determination to do something with it, restore it and use it albeit i will probably only chop small kindling with it. I did take a close look at the handle and sanded it down with four grades of paper from 80, 120, 240 and 00 and it looks wonderful. You have to marvel at the beauty of a piece of old hickory that is now resplendent with two good coats of boiled linseed. In my original post, the handle was stated as 24" but is currently 22" and when i'm ready to refit it i'll no doubt lose another .5. to .75" but i dont think that should make a big difference. I've been looking at a website that shows re handling and sharpening axes-fs.fed.us is a pdf called getting the hang of it. I found it very useful. I've also been trying to find some history on it but havent been successful but have seen, as you say, there were many companies making similar patterns. I havent oiled the top 5" of the handle yet as i know that will swell-i'll save that for when i'm ready to pop it on. I've got some small pieces of USA oak tongue and groove flooring that came from an old gym-its hard as nails and should make a great wedge i think? I was also thinking about possibly reshaping the bit somewhat but still keeping the general shape? Thanks for your interest.

Tom.
 
I was totally unaware that the Brits made conventional axes within the past 100 years. Nice find! For you it's the usual dilemma of getting involved in the curious world of gathering up old tools; do I make it suit me and proudly use it or do I shine it up and hang it on the wall. Sheffield steel and manufacture was amongst the best in the world at the time that implement was made and it would be nostalgic to put it back in service. Just as to how useful a 4 pounder with a big blade is to you remains to be seen and for sure you don't want to use it for grubbing and chopping roots!
 
thomaxe said:
I must say that after the previous replies, although very much appreciated and helpful, i was feeling a little jaded and had put it back on the shelf and left it alone for a few days but, now you have renewed my determination to do something with it.....
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Many on this forum, myself included would love to add a nice axe like that to our set. I'm so glad that you're going to give it proper respect.

And you're right, that old hickory sure lights up under a couple coats of BLO.
 
Would be very interesting to find out what sort of, and how big, a manufacturing facility J M Swift & Sons had. Is this a one-off 'custom head' for a specific tradesman or did they make thousands of these? Some of this will make a lot more sense if you can find out what else they were making at the time. Interesting that Hickory (a predominantly American product) became the industry standard for use as tool handles over much of Europe and n. America.
 
Hi 300Six

Have been researching on the old JM Swift but cant find anything on the factory at all-shame. Looks like they were just another axe maker in the 1900's in UK making so so axes.
Have also looked at a few sites specialising in restoring and selling old axes and saw a few of a similar pattern-most described as just a heavy axe for general use. It doesnt seem to be of any great value either. Which brings me on to a thought going through my head about reshaping the head(hopefully to maintain the tempering on the bit) into a lighter, more 'modern' shaped bit by removing a fair bit of metal-mostly off the top part and some from the bottom, maybe towards the Swedish style of axe heads as in the small forest axe by Gransfors. I would add that i'm only ever going to use it for small lightweight work and not be chopping down any sort of tree, just splitting smaller logs for a firepit in the summer and making kindling. Have you or anyone any thoughts on this? I realise any work on the metal around the edge would have to be done carefully to keep its temper-possibly cut by commercial bandsaw with cooling liquid flowing onto it while being done. I'd rather put it to use than polish it up and hang it on a wall gathering dust.
 
The fact there isn't much information about JMSwift, to me, is encouraging that this is not a common nor high volume produced item. Companies that stamp their name on a product were not flogging seconds nor inferior items. You might want to 'fish around' to see what an axe head like that is worth to somebody else. Reason I'm saying that is experimentation/modification will reduce the value considerably (if there is much to start with) and there are lots of inexpensive classic and vintage top quality used heads out there that can be filed, ground, re-shaped and pressed into service without causing any later regrets. My 'gathering' days are over but likely as not there's someone on here that would be overjoyed to swap for a JMSwift with something much more along the lines of what you're looking for. Betcha it would come with a handle of choice too! Re-shaping a 4 pounder into something that is 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 lb (fairly common for a utility axe) is not for the faint of heart and could easily leave you disappointed.
 
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