New to the forum after spending many hours digging through archives to educate myself.
While waiting for my Christmas present from the Redhead to arrive, I started trolling other sites to learn about what she was giving me (a Hults Bruk Kisa, which I will use for close-in limbing, trimming, light chopping, mostly on pines and weed trees on our rural Virginia property--I'm just tired of messing with chain saws, especially in close quarters, and prefer the workout in any case). That led to several days of intensive study of the matter. And that led to a couple of impulsive (but not that impulsive) ebay purchases.
The first to arrive is a Plumb All-American, paper label with no stamp. It's a single-bit Michican-pattern head of (I'm estimating) 3-1/2 pounds. I've studied what little remains of the label, and clearly this was the original label:
The Yesteryear site claims this is a post-1981 label, after Plumb manufacturing (reportedly) moved to Mann Edge and subsequently to Cooper. But I have read conflicting narratives on this score, and do not consider the Yesteryear site to be historically definitive. For example, one of the so-called post-1981 labels is clearly evident in the 1965 catalog.
Early All-Americans were apparently not given the Permabond treatment, but this axe has it. The 1965 catalog that is available online shows Permabond attachement for the Dreadnaught line, but not the All-American line.
The axe arrived today, and it appears to me in nearly unused condition. There is not a mark on it other than from handling. The seller put an initial sharpening on it, though I will possibly redo that once I study it a bit more. I'm ridiculously pleased with the purchase--about the same price as a current standard-line Council and much cheaper than the standard-line Hults Bruk/Hultafors. Perhaps a touch more expensive than a Husqvarna, but look at that handle! (Seller's pics for the moment.)
So, to my question:
Clearly, Permabond was used.
Clearly, it is a traditional American manufacture--high centerline, a full two inches of hardened edge (ignoring, of course, the uneven paint line), perfect balance (very slightly heavy blade end of the head).
Clearly, what remains of the label belongs to the label I posted above.
So, it's newer: Even as an All-American it used Permabond, and the head is unstamped. But it's old enough to be of traditional manufacture.
Any clues as to date? For example: After the 1981 acquisition, did Plumb continue to make single-bit Michigan-pattern heads? When did they go to a flat grind?
Next up: What I think is a Kelly Woodslasher in a Jersey pattern that I found in the unlikliest place of all: my garage.
Then: Another ebay find: a military surplus refurbished--though it looks unused to me--Dayton head with a plain TrueTemper stamp.
Rick "who types silly things here when posting online" Denney
While waiting for my Christmas present from the Redhead to arrive, I started trolling other sites to learn about what she was giving me (a Hults Bruk Kisa, which I will use for close-in limbing, trimming, light chopping, mostly on pines and weed trees on our rural Virginia property--I'm just tired of messing with chain saws, especially in close quarters, and prefer the workout in any case). That led to several days of intensive study of the matter. And that led to a couple of impulsive (but not that impulsive) ebay purchases.
The first to arrive is a Plumb All-American, paper label with no stamp. It's a single-bit Michican-pattern head of (I'm estimating) 3-1/2 pounds. I've studied what little remains of the label, and clearly this was the original label:
The Yesteryear site claims this is a post-1981 label, after Plumb manufacturing (reportedly) moved to Mann Edge and subsequently to Cooper. But I have read conflicting narratives on this score, and do not consider the Yesteryear site to be historically definitive. For example, one of the so-called post-1981 labels is clearly evident in the 1965 catalog.
Early All-Americans were apparently not given the Permabond treatment, but this axe has it. The 1965 catalog that is available online shows Permabond attachement for the Dreadnaught line, but not the All-American line.
The axe arrived today, and it appears to me in nearly unused condition. There is not a mark on it other than from handling. The seller put an initial sharpening on it, though I will possibly redo that once I study it a bit more. I'm ridiculously pleased with the purchase--about the same price as a current standard-line Council and much cheaper than the standard-line Hults Bruk/Hultafors. Perhaps a touch more expensive than a Husqvarna, but look at that handle! (Seller's pics for the moment.)
So, to my question:
Clearly, Permabond was used.
Clearly, it is a traditional American manufacture--high centerline, a full two inches of hardened edge (ignoring, of course, the uneven paint line), perfect balance (very slightly heavy blade end of the head).
Clearly, what remains of the label belongs to the label I posted above.
So, it's newer: Even as an All-American it used Permabond, and the head is unstamped. But it's old enough to be of traditional manufacture.
Any clues as to date? For example: After the 1981 acquisition, did Plumb continue to make single-bit Michigan-pattern heads? When did they go to a flat grind?
Next up: What I think is a Kelly Woodslasher in a Jersey pattern that I found in the unlikliest place of all: my garage.
Then: Another ebay find: a military surplus refurbished--though it looks unused to me--Dayton head with a plain TrueTemper stamp.
Rick "who types silly things here when posting online" Denney
