Plumb info and suggestions

Funkenstein

Funkenstein

Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
344
I picked up a Plumb at a local antique shop for $12. Needs a new handle as the, I'm assuming, original one is loose in the eye.

Wondering if I could get some more info on it and what would be suggested for a handle length.

I plan on falling small trees, bucking, and limbing them. I have a 32" and a 28" handle available.

Thanks!

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You got a good deal. Michigan pattern that looks barely used. Plumbs are excellent. I would put the 32 or even a 36 inch handle on it.
 
What is the weight. If it is a boys/pulp axe( two and a quarter two and a half pounds ish) it has a different size eye hole than a full size axe.(3+lbs)
It is hard to tell from a picture. One of those pictures makes it look thin. (Boys ax) 28inch and 32 inch handles are usually set up for pulp size eyes and full size respectively.
 
What's it weigh? Same thing I tell everyone probably like a broken record, consider a handle equal in length to your inseam.
 
Looks like a great axe.

Consider reusing the existing handle. It's hung high enough that you could pull it off and reuse it. Often those old hafts have a better swell than any new handle. What does the haft look like?
 
Square_peg said:
Looks like a great axe.

Consider reusing the existing handle. It's hung high enough that you could pull it off and reuse it. Often those old hafts have a better swell than any new handle. What does the haft look like?
Click to expand...

It may be, however it has some considerable bow to the right. Also some damage to the bottom of the palm swell. In the last picture you can see how far I was able to get it off by hand. Both wedges appear to be steel.

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Also, the total weight is about 6 lbs on my terrible scale. And my handle is 36" not 32" as I stated before.


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Funkenstein said:
Also, the total weight is about 6 lbs on my terrible scale. And my handle is 36" not 32" as I stated before.


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Click to expand...
You have a full size head. The 28 is probably a boys axe handle. The eye of the axe you have will be to large to hang it on the 28. So if you are using what you have available that just leaves the 36, problem solved.
 
Woodcraft said:
You have a full size head. The 28 is probably a boys axe handle. The eye of the axe you have will be to large to hang it on the 28. So if you are using what you have available that just leaves the 36, problem solved.
Click to expand...

Yes, I found this out when looking closer. This will be my first axe restoration so I will post updates along the way.


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dont destroy the handle getting it off though, it needs a little bit of work but i agree that michigans are out of place on 36s. an old handle will be one of the most enjoyable things about a good axe.
 
Actually that old handle looks good to me. Pry out the wedges and rehang farther down. I like the widest part of the shoulder about an inch or so below the head. The swell end can be rasped and sanded. Then BLO will turn that handle a rich caramel brown I bet.
 
halfaxe said:
Actually that old handle looks good to me. Pry out the wedges and rehang farther down. I like the widest part of the shoulder about an inch or so below the head. The swell end can be rasped and sanded. Then BLO will turn that handle a rich caramel brown I bet.
Click to expand...

I didn't get a length picture which would have shown the extreme bow. It probably leaned against a wall for a long time. I'm partial to a very straight handle and can deal with a little bow, however this was too much for me.
 
It is not likely to be the original handle, judging by symptomatic hammer marks at the back of the blade and at the front of the eye, plus clamping scars on the cheeks. These are usually the result of someone 'beating on' the metal to remove the head from an old handle and again to install it on a new one. Beginning not long after WWI factory Plumb handles were stained in a wine colour ('mahoganized' was Plumb's term) and this has carried on to whatever is still being made at present.

You don't mention the weight of the head but I have a sneaking suspicion that the existing haft you have is too long.
 
300Six said:
It is not likely to be the original handle, judging by symptomatic hammer marks at the back of the blade and at the front of the eye, plus clamping scars on the cheeks. These are usually the result of someone 'beating on' the metal to remove the head from an old handle and again to install it on a new one. Beginning not long after WWI factory Plumb handles were stained in a wine colour ('mahoganized' was Plumb's term) and this has carried on to whatever is still being made at present.

You don't mention the weight of the head but I have a sneaking suspicion that the existing haft you have is too long.
Click to expand...

Nice observations. The head weighs 4#. I may take the handle down to 33 or 34 inches as that is my inseam at 6'2"


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Looks like near perfect grain on that old haft. Take a mallet and knock the bottom of the handle while hanging it upside down. This will seat the head back down and you can get the wedge out easier. Once the wedge is out, you can then get the head off.
I have straightened a small bend by blocking up the ends of haft and weighting down the bend. Then let it sit for a while (I did over a month).
 
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