Support BladeForums! Paid memberships don't see ads! Hi there, Probably some of you saw this Plumb Jet Wing on eBay. Well I bought it, and it's interesting. Especially the handle size for the head weight (3²/3.5lbs). It's a permabond, it's intact. The handle is relatively short and quite thin. 28.5" OAL. It's thinner handled than my HB Akka, which I always thought was a pretty dainty handle to begin with. At some point somebody put some light knife edge grooves at the grip. I don't know if this has been severely sanded down or what, but the knob is still there and the permabond is still intact (perfectly fitted in the eye, as well). It has some lateral flex when embedded in a stump, but I'm not worried just yet. Should be nice old growth wood. Head is in good condition. I'm sure it's been cleaned up, but very little pitting, no horrific grinding anywhere. Very clean lines. So I'm going to put some pics in here to see what kind of feedback I can get, and some other axes side by side. Thanks for any feedback! https://www.dropbox.com/s/p50ki8u3hs62co1/20180913_223317.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/h724htz67p241hk/20180913_223257.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/5zvgdf2my2h6eap/20180913_223405.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/4815s8tc47t4yak/20180913_223820.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/r2n9r1mbj7o41av/20180913_223619.jpg?dl=0 ETA: Image links didn't work so I've just got the URL up for now. Will try to fix if I can with a free membership.
According to the 1965 catalog from Plumb, the "Men's axes" (including Jet Wings) were available with 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36" handles (length before hanging). The desired handle length was specified by the wholesale customer. https://archive.org/stream/PlumbTools1965#page/n13
I think I've seen that image before, or something like it. So I'd guess a 28" Dayton. Any way to determine vintage? ETA: The line drawing suggests the handles may be correct even as thin as it is. Also, the bit is super hard! Harder than my other Plumb and just blows away the Council. Didn't know they had induction hardened edges, or whatever "electronic hardening" they were using.
Nice axe! I wanted to add that my cousin found an old plumb in his mother's garage and few weeks ago and asked me to clean it/sharpen it etc. I don't have pics but it had the same relatively short haft with a smallish knob. Also as with yours the bit steel was incredibly hard. His was a jersey. I'll have to snap a couple photos of it sometime in the future. Good buy man! That is a lifetime tool!
Yeah, I'm really stoked about this one. I gave it a decent edge tonight. I worked it up to 400 on a leather faced board, I think I worked the whole bevel back like 1/32”. Then I hard stropped with a double leather face, white then green compounds. You just gotta do it up decent once before getting to normal use. https://www.dropbox.com/s/h9fz11gqq96st5d/20180914_071837.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/og931vsldq61ipn/20180914_071903.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/bt1w46k32uu4nra/20180914_071947.jpg?dl=0 I'm pretty fond of it. That heavy head on the relatively short/light haft is actually really nice.
That's excellent Fmont, good score from the bay! Like muleman77 said, I also have and I prefer the full size on a 28...27-29 is my sweet spot with a 3 1/2-4lber. That's a beauty you have, a real treasure!
Support BladeForums! Paid memberships don't see ads! I am just tickled with it, too. Picked up a Kelly Perfect in a Dayton pattern just to have another phantom beveled 3.5 lber, which I'll hang a little longer to compare. Though the Plumb will remain attached to the original (permabond) haft for the foreseeable future.
