New To Me Broadaxe

J

JasonSCarter

Joined
Dec 20, 2008
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Hello all! I lurk a lot around here but don't post much. I thought I'd share my newest acquisition with ya though. It's an OLD broadaxe I believe from the mid to late 1800's. (judging by wear and patina and such) I suppose it could be later but I don't think so. I'm unsure of the maker as there is no makers mark left on it. any info you guys could tell me about broad axes would be just dandy!

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Jason S Carter
 
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That is a hewing axe. Sometimes called a broad axe. Usually used to hew logs, or to square them up from timber to beams. Typically came in three patterns. New Orleans, Canadian, and Pennsylvanian. Other patterns exist as well. Usually flat on one side, beveled on the other. The handles were usually tapered, so you didnt hit your hands on the logs when you were working. Also used somewhat in the ice industry to shape ice blocks.
 
Looks like it sucks -- I'll send my address and I'll let you send it to me, so you don't have to feel the embarrassment of owning it. :p

Seriously, it'll be hard to tell you anything but what a broad axe is used for if there's no markings on it.
 
looks like it was made by Keen Kutter company - were the handle goes into the socket - most keen kutters seem to have that shape at the socket

nice axe
 
Thanks guys! It is a single bevel. Wikipedia says that up to 1903 Sweden also used them for capital punishment! A Headsmen's Axe! :eek: :barf: :thumbup: :D
That .pdf is really cool. I went to it's parent directory and found a bunch more handy how to's.

Jason
 
yo...jason, nice broad head. they do feel good in the hands. it had to be one heck of a man to work with those back in the day.
 
Hi there Jason
Like operator said broad axes were used for squaring logs into beams. I still know a couple of log house builders who use them. The way I've seen them used most often is to stand on the log and score it across the log along what will become the inner and outer side of the log in the house/cabin. After scoring the log every 6 inches or so another man would square the faces with an adze.
Thats a nice clean broad axe you have.

Best regards

Robin
 
Hey!!
Nice axe can be from Sweden I have some thats look similar.
You have one on this board to the axes on this are from Hults Bruk
Cegga
AXE3.jpg
 
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