Plumb Rafting Axe

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Maluferro

Joined
Jan 20, 2020
Messages
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Hello! Im wondering if anyone has information about a Plumb Rafting axe that has a "5" imprinted above the Plumb logo along the top of the axe head. The weight is 5 pounds, it has the rafting axe shape, a very large poll with beveled edge. The length is 8 inches, the blade is about 5 inches. Im interested to know any information about this axe. I have only been able to find similar axe heads with the 3.2 markings online. Would love to know the history and time frame of this axe head, and other possible uses for if not rafting. There is no mushrooming on the poll, so t may possibly be a hardened poll.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/192t4sstc/
 
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Thats not really a Rafting pattern. Its a National pattern. Both have a similar beveled poll, but the rafting is more symmetrically shaped out through the bit.

The National poll may or may not be hardened, some were. All the plumb rafting Ive seen are.

I only have had boys axe size Nationals and know they were made full size, but I've never seen one as big as that!

Heres a pair of 5 lb Plumb rafting pattern
c3RyyNo.jpg
 
Yeah. That's a National, and the poll is almost certainly unhardened (very few have been reported as having hardened polls, and even then it's not 100% confirmed, just reported.) It's a great pattern, though, and came about as the result of surveying professional axe users around the country and trying to put as many of their preferred features into a single, unified axe pattern, hence "National" pattern. They're often confused for rafting and cedar patterns, but Plumb made those, too, during the same time period, and they're distinct patterns.
 
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Maluferro said:
Hello! Im wondering if anyone has information about a Plumb Rafting axe that has a "5" imprinted above the Plumb logo along the top of the axe head. The weight is 5 pounds, it has the rafting axe shape, a very large poll with beveled edge. The length is 8 inches, the blade is about 5 inches. Im interested to know any information about this axe. I have only been able to find similar axe heads with the 3.2 markings online. Would love to know the history and time frame of this axe head, and other possible uses for if not rafting. There is no mushrooming on the poll, so t may possibly be a hardened poll.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/192t4sstc/
Click to expand...
Great find!!!!!!
 
muleman77 said:
Thats not really a Rafting pattern. Its a National pattern. Both have a similar beveled poll, but the rafting is more symmetrically shaped out through the bit.

The National poll may or may not be hardened, some were. All the plumb rafting Ive seen are.

I only have had boys axe size Nationals and know they were made full size, but I've never seen one as big as that!

Heres a pair of 5 lb Plumb rafting pattern
c3RyyNo.jpg
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input and helpful information. I thought while I was researching online that the rafting axes had a rounded curve to them, much like mine, and that the Nationals were more angular. But I will continue to do my comparisons, maybe I confused them, since they are so similar. Your two axes are very nice!
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Yeah. That's a National, and the poll is almost certainly unhardened (very few have been reported as having hardened polls, and even then it's not 100% confirmed, just reported.) It's a great pattern, though, and came about as the result of surveying professional axe users around the country and trying to put as many of their preferred features into a single, unified axe pattern, hence "National" pattern. They're often confused for rafting and cedar patterns, but Plumb made those, too, during the same time period, and they're distinct patterns.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this very interesting information! Do you have any idea of what time period Plumb was making these National and rafting axes?
 
They started making the National in the 1940's just prior to the introduction of the wartime "Victory" line, I think, though others will have a more firm date range than I. The rafting/construction pattern predates it by quite a stretch, so while they were being made at the same time as National, it's a much older pattern.
 
Square_peg said:
It's unusual to see National pattern that heavy. It would be interesting to learn if the poll is hardened.

If you want to sell it I'm interested.
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Yes, it must be unusual since I cannot find another one like it anywhere online.
In your opinion, what is the best way to test if the poll is hardened?

Thank you for your offer to buy. I actually have someone who is very interested to buy it, but Im not sure of its value. I was thinking to ask $300 for it, what is your opinion?
 
Definitely a national pattern.

best way to test the poll is run a file across it. At this point I have a couple files that will dig into unhardened steel but not hardened steel so those are the ones I test for hardness with.

I think 300 is way high personally. I see axes with crazy prices like that on ebay and they don't go anywhere. National pattern axes are not rare at all. There are always half a dozen or so on ebay at any given time. Your axe is an uncommon weight, but usually axes that fetch that much money are some of the more elaborately embossed ones.
 
FLINT77 said:
Definitely a national pattern.

best way to test the poll is run a file across it. At this point I have a couple files that will dig into unhardened steel but not hardened steel so those are the ones I test for hardness with.

I think 300 is way high personally. I see axes with crazy prices like that on ebay and they don't go anywhere. National pattern axes are not rare at all. There are always half a dozen or so on ebay at any given time. Your axe is an uncommon weight, but usually axes that fetch that much money are some of the more elaborately embossed ones.
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Thank you for your advice and opinion. I really don't intend to sell this axe head anyway and plan to keep it in my own collection. Was just curious as to what the value could be based on it size, age and unusual weight. And I am also very interested in the history behind it which is why I am trying to identify it.
 
Thats good info. I have been trying to find an online catalog page representing this axe, with no luck. Do you have one you could share? Would love to see it, and also see the date of the catalogue featuring this axe pattern. Thanks so much.
 
Maluferro said:
In your opinion, what is the best way to test if the poll is hardened?
Click to expand...

Take a file to the top edge of the axe. Start at the eye so you know what less than hardened steel feels like. Then file towards the bit. At some point, likely 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" from the bit you will feel the transition. Work into that transition a few times to get the feel for it. Do this lightly so you don't remove a lot of material.

Then do the same thing working from the eye into the poll. If the poll is hard you'll feel the same transition. You'll need a close to new good quality file.
 
Maluferro said:
Thats good info. I have been trying to find an online catalog page representing this axe, with no luck. Do you have one you could share? Would love to see it, and also see the date of the catalogue featuring this axe pattern. Thanks so much.
Click to expand...
1953-paper-ad-plumb-national-axe_1_bbdca69613883625afbf9364c886843e.jpg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1953-paper-ad-plumb-national-axe-2006831944
1951-paper-ad-plumb-national-pattern_1_b00ef95e6224525951feef099a1a092f.jpg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1951-paper-ad-plumb-national-pattern-1876327154
vtg-plumb-victory-hatchet-national_1_5e2f94c5b738384cad108ba4ab90e07c.jpg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vtg-plumb-victory-hatchet-national-2040238598
 
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Thank you everyone, for all your helpful advice and info sharing! I appreciate it.
Would still like to find documentation or info about the 5 pound version of the National I have, which seems to be very elusive! I have now seen catalogue pages from anywhere between 1 and 1/2 pounds to 4 pounds, but not 5.
 
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This is great, thank you! This and the other photos posted here really bring this axe to life. Any date on this Plumb booklet? I would image it is probably from the early 50's, possibly the late 40's?
 
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