Odd old hatchet

[tradewater]

Hi all,

I'd like to pick your brains if I can. Got something lately that I haven't seen before and hopefully one of you guys might have some info on it. The sheath is marked "Peavey MFG Co. Brewer Maine" and the hatchet head has a canoe with the word "canoe" in it and "hatchet" under it.

Here it is with a GB mini for reference.

Really wedge shaped like it was intended as a splitter.

I haven't cleaned it up yet but with the exception of a few idiot marks it's in surprisingly good shape. Handle is solid and tight and it's even sharp.
I found the company website but no information on their old products. Anybody seen one before?

Thanks,

trade

 

[G-pig]

Yup, Peavey was out of bangor. They made a ton of -guess what- ..Peaveys. They made good axes too. This one is a maine wedge pattern, not neccesarily for splitting, it should be fairly continuous with minimal bevel on it. They cut really well when shaped right. If you decide you dont like it you can just ship it on over to me =)

Edit: oops, mixed up. Peavey WAS out of bangor at one time (Im pretty sure), I think they moved to brewer later on. Or vice versa.

 

[tradewater]

Thanks G-pig. I took it out to the woodpile and was surprised at how well it did with that shape. It doesn't bite as much as it just blows big chunks of wood off. And as you would imagine it splits really good too. Only problem is I can't use it. I don't have a canoe.

 

[bearhunter]

That's a neat little hatchet. Very nice find!

 

[markv]

yep has to be used with a canoe, not a small boat or raft, only a canoe, regulations you see.

all good

i have a wedge shaped hatchet but can't make out the stamp. it has a roofing hammer handle.
thanks for posting, i like short handled axes

buzz

 

[cooperhill]

Nice find.

Here's one PV that I put together for a friend.





And a broad axe I picked up recently;



Pretty sure it's Brewer first, Bangor second.

 

[tradewater]

Those are dandies. I'm really drawn to old hatchets for some reason (although I don't know much about them). I've got a few I need to post up over here. My favorite is an "Evansville Defender" that's in great shape but needs hafting.

 

[screened porch]

I've never seen a Maine pattern hatchet. Very cool, and in great shape. Looks like a near relative of my peavey (or "p-v", on mine) axe.
Maybe Peavey's experts got together to produce the best combination of weight and length for a canoeist's chopping and stowage needs, back in the glory days of canoe regattas or what-not.