Rafting axe?

S

sisk61

Joined
Jun 24, 2011
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Do any of y'all have a rafting axe? I keep seeing this style around. 4 lb head, short, straight handle. Are they only for splitting wood? Or do they work good for limbing and other tasks? To me it looks like a short splitting axe..

Thanks!
 
It's a multi-purpose axe like your typical vintage North American-styled axe but with the addition of a hardened poll. The men who ran rafts of logs down river in the Spring used them to pound in 'log dogs' - anchor points for securing the perimeter logs to each other.
 
Square_peg defined the rafting axe with perfection. I have a Plumb in my collection with a pronounced poll that represents this style.
 
Sweet! thats awesome info! is the head too thick and heavy to do any chopping? Im thinking about getting one but i just have to justify it first.. :)
 
sisk61 said:
..... is the head too thick and heavy to do any chopping?
Click to expand...

No. Because the bit is so long it has a nice taper. And the heavy poll balances it.

But how it handles will be determined by it's weight and handle length. I think a 5-pounder on a 28" handle would be a little clunky. A lighter 4-pound rafter would be OK on a short handle, IMO.
 
Square_peg said:
No. Because the bit is so long it has a nice taper. And the heavy poll balances it.

But how it handles will be determined by it's weight and handle length. I think a 5-pounder on a 28" handle would be a little clunky. A lighter 4-pound rafter would be OK on a short handle, IMO.
Click to expand...

So it can chop? Im looking at one online with a 4 lb head and a 24" handle.
 
Oh, yeah. It'll chop. But I'd put a longer handle than that on a 4 pound axe. At 24" you've got more of a miners axe than a rafting axe. If you plan to use it mostly as a hammer then the 24" handle might be OK.
 
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