Plumb or Dumb?

I

IROC-Z28

Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Messages
21
Hey all,
Had this axe given to me by my father on our first camping trip, it was his fathers and as I have used it over the years I have grown to love it. The handle is not original, the sheath is one I had an amish leather worker make. My question is what is it? My father swears it's a plumb but I just want to know for sure. He said the original handle was plumb colored. He also says it's a 3/4 axe. Any info would be exciting!
 
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I don't think that it is a Plumb. Could easily be a good axe, but it doesn't llok like any Plumb that I have seen. It looks drop forged then painted, no visible PLUMB stamp etc.
 
jblyttle said:
I don't think that it is a Plumb. Could easily be a good axe, but it doesn't llok like any Plumb that I have seen. It looks drop forged then painted, no visible PLUMB stamp etc.
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Thanks for the quick response. Any idea of how to identify it? I can't find any markings. Is there any signs to look for when deciding if an axe head is quality or not?
 
Looks like drop forge marks here that were just left to be cleaned up, it's got at thick bit too. I'd say it's post 60's but I don't know enough to comment otherwise.
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DarthTaco123 said:
Looks like drop forge marks here that were just left to be cleaned up, it's got at thick bit too. I'd say it's post 60's but I don't know enough to comment otherwise.
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Thanks for the comment! Realistically is this about all anyone can draw from this axe? I can't grasp how anyone could identify this axe head with no markings and no distinguishable features. Just curious if I'm missing anything. Thanks again!
 
IROC-Z28 said:
Thanks for the comment! Realistically is this about all anyone can draw from this axe? I can't grasp how anyone could identify this axe head with no markings and no distinguishable features. Just curious if I'm missing anything. Thanks again!
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It's just a matter of it having a certain look, there are some here that have seen it all. Certain of the "M" stamped heads have those forge marks. It was probably a lower line axe. Not necessarily bad steel, but cheaper in fit and finish. The forging marks not ground out, no stamp etc. It could be a hardware store house brand that had a paper label. Can you guess where it was purchased, or can your dad guess when within a 5 year range?
 
jblyttle said:
It's just a matter of it having a certain look, there are some here that have seen it all. Certain of the "M" stamped heads have those forge marks. It was probably a lower line axe. Not necessarily bad steel, but cheaper in fit and finish. The forging marks not ground out, no stamp etc. It could be a hardware store house brand that had a paper label. Can you guess where it was purchased, or can your dad guess when within a 5 year range?
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I would guess 60's or 70's. Probably a hardware store in wanamaker indiana which no doubt is unhelpful. Glad to have cleared up already that it is in fact not a plumb and is a lower end axe. I am thrilled with it, and it has started to cause me to consider looking for a similair sized plumb to use day to day.
 
Could it be a Council? I don't think I have ever saw a Plumb that wasn't finished better than that, but, plenty of the older Council axes are similar.
 
quinton said:
Could it be a Council? I don't think I have ever saw a Plumb that wasn't finished better than that, but, plenty of the older Council axes are similar.
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I would say no. I don't really see those forging marks as pronounced, and I have never seen a CT head without the CT logo.
 
Ill stay out of the CT debate... but it looks like a Cooper Tools Era Plumb. My father bought one in the 70s and right down to the forge marks and finish its the same as yours IROC. They had a paper label, were usually painted black, and had a red permabond finish on top of the wedge and red handle. Its to bad your handle isnt original, or the debate would be settled.
 
Crazyotter said:
Ill stay out of the CT debate... but it looks like a Cooper Tools Era Plumb. My father bought one in the 70s and right down to the forge marks and finish its the same as yours IROC. They had a paper label, were usually painted black, and had a red permabond finish on top of the wedge and red handle. Its to bad your handle isnt original, or the debate would be settled.
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In my mind that settles the debate. The odds work well my dad has always claimed it had a red handle and that it was a plumb. Seems obvious to me if the forgings match your fathers then that all fits. Thanks!
 
jblyttle said:
I would say no. I don't really see those forging marks as pronounced, and I have never seen a CT head without the CT logo.
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Sounds like, Crazyotter nailed it.. But, I do have a CT without a stamp. It has a partial gold label on the head, and "Council" stamped on the handle.
 
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