Plumb BSA Hatchet

SFW · Apr 28, 2015

I picked up this old Plumb Boy Scouts of America hatchet several months ago. It had a reddish color stain varnish on it that was in poor condition. I sanded the finish down and applied some boiled linseed oil and really like the results. I decided not to sand down to remove the carved initials. I figured J.M. should remain part of this axe's history.

300Six · Apr 28, 2015

BSA Logo is on the starboard side of the head! I don't think that is/was typical of these (nor most axe heads). Nevertheless have fun with it. It has a quality past and with some luck a storied future.

rockman0 · Apr 28, 2015

Nice score! The handle turned out nice.

Agent_H · Apr 28, 2015

I grew up with one of the Plumb BSA hatchets but have only seen the markings like yours on that side (starboard), as 300six put it, on the interwebs. Not in person as of yet.

It certainly is easy on the eyes and the previous owner's initials actually just add to it in my opinion.

SFW · Apr 28, 2015

Very cool. I didn't realized that the logo was rare on the starboard side. As an Eagle Scout, I really enjoy collecting old scout tools and putting them back to work.

300Six · Apr 29, 2015

SFW said:
Very cool. I didn't realized that the logo was rare on the starboard side. As an Eagle Scout, I really enjoy collecting old scout tools and putting them back to work.

Hey I'm not trying to start any sort of gossip trend. Guns/knives/axes etc markings (far as I've seen) are always on the Port side. Never made any sense to me (ie which side) except that 'consistency' is a worthwhile universal endeavor.

SFW · Apr 29, 2015

No worries. I don't really care which side the BSA logo is on. It's a great little axe and I enjoy using it.

Square_peg · Apr 30, 2015

SFW said:
I picked up this old Plumb Boy Scouts of America hatchet several months ago. It had a reddish color stain varnish on it that was in poor condition.

Many Plumbs had a color like that as the factory finish. Is the top of the eye filled with epoxy?

SFW · Apr 30, 2015

Square_peg said:
Many Plumbs had a color like that as the factory finish. Is the top of the eye filled with epoxy?

Yes. A red epoxy.

Square_peg · Apr 30, 2015

Plumb Permabond. Then that's the original haft and you just sanded off the original finish.

SFW · Apr 30, 2015

Square_peg said:
Plumb Permabond. Then that's the original haft and you just sanded off the original finish.

I figured it was the original finish. However, there wasn't a whole lot of it left.