Plumb Autograf Axe (Updated with Pics)

C

chucktaylor90

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Dec 13, 2012
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I have the opportunity to buy a Plumb Autograf axe in pretty decent condition, and I was trying to learn a little about them. I have searched this site as well as ebay and I cant find anything. Is this a good thing because they are rare, or does it mean no one really cares about them?

Could anyone give me some guidance here?

Thanks!
 
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Plumbs are good. They had a lot of sub-names, though I never heard of "Autograf". You might try comparing to any Plumbs of similar style and condition for a price ballpark.
I just checked with Yesteryears tools. The au-to-graf etching was applied to a line of axes considered to be of exceptional quality.
 
"The Au-To-Graf etching was used on a line of axes considered to be of the highest quality."

Autograph%20Mark%209.jpg


Quote and picture from Yesteryearstools.com
http://yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears%20Tools/Plumb%20Co..html
 
I've got one in decent condition. A single bit...I have to clean it up and hang it...someday. They go for premium prices on ebay now. I got mine awhile ago for a friendly price.
I didn't know that they were of such a high quality. Thanks for the info guys.

Tom
 
I'm not going into a lot of info just because it will be covered on the Plumb thread I'm working on. :).
 
Well after all of your input I ended up buying this axe. I think I got a good deal on it. It seems to be in pretty good shape, other than a little mushrooming on the poll. The etching is in really good shape.

I thought the History of the axe was pretty cool. The owner of the axe was the father of the guy I bought it from. He lived his whole life up on the salmon river in idaho in the middle of nowhere. He and his family lived their whole lives in a home with no electricity, no running water, and heated by a wood stove. In these circumstances I am sure this axe was a precious tool that was greatly valued. This handle was made by the owner. It not in great shape with some chipping near the head, but kind of cool.

Thought you might like some pics. By the way any more information on these axes would be greatly appreciated. It sounds like Operator1975 is going to get a thread going so it will be cool to see what we come up with. Thanks for all your help!

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Beautiful and well cared for- you've got a treasure and the known history makes it better. (If that were mine I'd take some protective measures with the handle so it didn't get broken by me.)
Can we see more of the handle, by the way?
 
Sure here are some more pics. The head is not loose on the handle at all, but there is damage near the head that you can see. Would you replace the handle or just try to protect it? I think I'll take a brass wire cup to it later this week and see if I can polish it up a bit.

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You've got yourself a treasure there. Love the back story.

If it were mine I would probably just clean it up gently, sharpen it and maybe file the mushrooming off the pole. Although, I have been thinking of peening the next one I get with a mushroomed pole so thats a thought too. I wouldn't do much more to the handle other than gently clean it and put a coat of BLO on it. I would then use it until the head came loose (or broke) and then make a new haft for it. But, thats just me for I am of the opinion that hafts are like tires, they are there to be used until worn out and then replaced and I bet this axe has seen at least a couple of replacement hafts.

Its your tool now. Do with it what makes you happy.
 
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chucktaylor90 said:
Well after all of your input I ended up buying this axe. I think I got a good deal on it. It seems to be in pretty good shape, other than a little mushrooming on the poll. The etching is in really good shape.

I thought the History of the axe was pretty cool. The owner of the axe was the father of the guy I bought it from. He lived his whole life up on the salmon river in idaho in the middle of nowhere. He and his family lived their whole lives in a home with no electricity, no running water, and heated by a wood stove. In these circumstances I am sure this axe was a precious tool that was greatly valued. This handle was made by the owner. It not in great shape with some chipping near the head, but kind of cool.

Thought you might like some pics. By the way any more information on these axes would be greatly appreciated. It sounds like Operator1975 is going to get a thread going so it will be cool to see what we come up with. Thanks for all your help!
Damn nice axe Chuck. One of my coworkers father was a back country pilot for many years. Delivered mail, hunters, guids ect. I would think he would have knew them and my coworker may well also. Idaho is kind of unique for a lower forty eight state in the regard of the demand for bush pilots
Thanks for shareing your axes and stories with use.
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I try to save handles if I can, especially a handmade handle. You just can't replicate the look of dark aged wood. Steel wool will get the dirt off. I sand down the rough spots and sometimes use wood filler. I sometimes add more wedge or replace the wedge altogether if it's needed. Then add BLO. It's not much work and if it doesn't work out, you can replace it.
 
chucktaylor90 said:
The head is not loose on the handle at all, but there is damage near the head that you can see. Would you replace the handle or just try to protect it?
Click to expand...


That handle doesn't need replacing. I always try to save a vintage handle. And one with some history is all the more worth saving.
 
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