Plumb Rockaway pattern axe

S

Square_peg

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Here's a Plumb Rockaway pattern axe I hung yesterday. I'm giving it to a blacksmith friend for his help in restoring an old masting axe. There'll be a thread on the masting axe in due time.

1-Plumb_Rockaway.jpg



I gave it a classic banana grind. I only took about a half dozen swings with it in testing but it cut like a champ and was still hair poppin' sharp after the light workout.

2-Banana_grind.jpg



It's a 3-pound axe hung on a 30" handle.

3-Octagonal_handle.JPG



The handle is an octagonalized handle from House Handle. I did a little tweaking with the spokeshave and some sanding to get it in shape. The Rockaway pattern, like other Jersey patterns, is a little more work to hang with the lugs hanging down from the axe head.

4-Handle2.jpg



I'm not certain what the divot was for. It reminds me of holes used to center filing jigs for sharpening an axe but I'm used to seeing those much higher up on the poll. And it doesn't penetrate the eye so it can't be for a set screw. If anyone knows more about this please share.

5-Divot.jpg
 
Hey Peg, SWEEEET lookin axe. You sure did a nice job hanging her. I like the octagon handle. One doesn't see many Rockaway patterns around. Hope he appreciates your workmanship on restoring her.

Tom
 
Nice one. I've got one like that which needs to be hafted.

I think Operator would say,

Operator1975 said:
Its a Jersey technically, but many manufacturers and people alike called it a rockaway based off of the rounded lugs.
Click to expand...

I think the original Rockaways had more of a bulging curve between heel and haft.
 
Well it's something from there in the mid-Atlantic region. Funny that you brought up Op. He's the one who sent me this axe as a gift. Now it's been restored and it has also enabled me to restore another axe. Score 2 for Op. Where the heck is he?
 
Square_peg said:
http://ph1landrews.com/yabb2.3/yabbfiles/Attachments123456/4-Handle2.jpg[/img]


I'm not certain what the divot was for. It reminds me of holes used to center filing jigs for sharpening an axe but I'm used to seeing those much higher up on the poll. And it doesn't penetrate the eye so it can't be for a set screw. If anyone knows more about this please share.

5-Divot.jpg
Click to expand...

I see those divots on various old axes and also wonder what they were for. Always perfectly centered on one side. Sometimes square or star-shaped or other shape. I think they may have been formed in a clamp or vise to hold for grinding in the final shaping but that is a guess. Another excellent axe from you too BTW.
 
Your blacksmith friend should be very happy with the trade. Thats a mighty fine axe there. Nice resto.
 
It's funny, this thing has been laying on my to-do pile for several months and I never gave it much regard. Now cleaned up and hung I really like it. It's what I consider the smallest length and weight for a full size axe at 3 pounds (head weight) and 30". The new owner is a good guy who has done me right. It's going to a good home.
 
Really nice job, Pegs. I'm really starting to like that patern.... come to think of it, got one coming from the 'bay' :D
 
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