Plumb Double-bit: My favorite axe

OutdoorEnvy · Jan 19, 2012

This axe belonged to my wife's great-grandfather and my father in law was going to sell it in a garage sale for $2. He told me I could have it if I wanted it so I took it of course

It was black and rust with a broken handle. I didn't want to make the head completely shiny as I wanted this head to still have an older-vintage look to it. I put a new handle on it and sharpened it up and it has been awesome to use. I really prefer double-bit's over a single-bit for how much smoother they are to swing. The balance on them is awesome and I find the double's swing easier than a single-bit. Maybe that's just me but it's how I feel. Well now for the pics...

I searched 6 hardware stores for a handle and this is the best one I could get my hands on. The grain is pretty wide but it's straight and I haven't had any issues with it.

I wish I would have put the steel wedges in straighter but that's only cosmetic

A few more...

Thanks for looking, hope you enjoyed it!

Shotgun · Jan 19, 2012

That's a nice looking axe. It's a pretty awesome thing to find a tool that you love. Especially one that's free and has history to it.

M3mphis · Jan 19, 2012

A beautiful axe! And family history to boot. Doesn't get better than that.

CB-R · Jan 19, 2012

I'd be beaming with pride in your situation. Very well done and inspiring, sir!

Operator1975 · Jan 19, 2012

Salute to a job well done and keeping an axe in the family for future generations.

bearhunter · Jan 19, 2012

a plump double bit is on the list...
nice work... great story too

Section10 · Jan 19, 2012

A good old Plumb axe is a fine tool.

markv · Jan 19, 2012

the grain of the wood on your handle is near perfect. the less grain the better. vertical is what works best.

the best handle wood comes from second growth fast growing Hickory

, thus the wide grain pattern.

nice looking chopper, i like Plumb tools, one of my favorite hatchets is a Plumb, i traded my old Plumb double bit f

or a Wetterlings double, but i got another Plumb the other day so i'm happy.

glad you saved it :thumbup:

buzz

Operator1975 · Jan 19, 2012

markv said:
the grain of the wood on your handle is near perfect. the less grain the better. vertical is what works best.

the best handle wood comes from second growth fast growing Hickory

I dont know if this is 100% accurate

stevomiller · Jan 20, 2012

Nice axe, brings back memories for me. A plumb double bit axe, originally my grandpa's, is the one used most while growing up. They swing true and bite deep, wish my back would allow me to still use it.

markv · Jan 20, 2012

stevomiller said:
Nice axe, brings back memories for me. A plumb double bit axe, originally my grandpa's, is the one used most while growing up. They swing true and bite deep, wish my back would allow me to still use it.

same here. my big axe swinging days are over

. i do however like the smaller choppers

, but rarely even swing these.

oh well
leaves more good work for younger fellows

buzz

JayMcAnn · Apr 12, 2015

Shotgun said:
That's a nice looking axe. It's a pretty awesome thing to find a tool that you love. Especially one that's free and has history to it.

Nice. Restoring one v similar I bought 30 yrs ago and lost ... And found. Pics soon.

jblyttle · Apr 12, 2015

markv said:
same here. my big axe swinging days are over. i do however like the smaller choppers, but rarely even swing these.

oh well
leaves more good work for younger fellows

buzz

I am not physically limited yet, but excessive shoveling this winter gave me a twinge or two that made me consider the distant future. My solace is that even when all axe swinging is done, there can always be carving with a hatchet. And restores for others of course. I think that there will never again be the call for axes that there was 100 years ago, but I think maybe that there will be more need than in the last 10-40 years.