New Plumb Hatchet, what is it?

[smith357]

So I saw this nice looking $4 hatchet at the flea market. A large Plumb Victory hatchet. At first I thought it was a rafting hatchet due to the poll, then it looks like a Cedar pattern blade, so what is it?? one, the other, or both

As found

Clean and Ready

 

[Square_peg]

I'd call it a cedar pattern hatchet. Plumb sold tons of these. They're still very popular.

Glad to see you got that black paint off of it. Looks much better now. What's the weight? Handle length? Good re-hang!

Did you happen to check the poll with a file before you rehung it? Could be hardened. Compare it to the steel next to the eye which will always be soft. Seems like others reported that the poll was not hardened.

 

[smith357]

Thanks for the info, the paint was easy to get off with some Ed's Red Bore Cleaner and a bronze brush, it was just a very light dusting of paint, I do the same thing to prevent rust on my dirt digging tools.

The poll is hardened as the file just skates off of it, I considered filing the minor mushrooming until I found it hardened then figured it was too much work for such a minor issue . I did not weigh the head but my best guess would be 2lbs lbs. The foot of the haft was bunged up and after some reshaping is just under 18".

 

[Square_peg]

I was thinking it looked about 'house axe' sized. 2 pounds and 18"+ handle mean it probably is a house axe in the cedar pattern.

 

[300Six]

The poll is hardened as the file just skates off of it, I considered filing the minor mushrooming until I found it hardened then figured it was too much work for such a minor issue.

If in fact the poll is hardened then mushrooming could not occur. Chipping is what happens instead.

 

[quinton]

If in fact the poll is hardened then mushrooming could not occur. Chipping is what happens instead.

I have it's brother, original haft and all. I just checked, and a file will skate across the poll of the one I have. I have also heard some have hardened polls, and some don't...