Recent ax-quisitions (pic heavy)

scruffuk

scruffuk

Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
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Well....I just typed this once and ham fistedly pressed something arrrrgggghhhh!
Ahem....sorry about that.

I've scored a few new (to me) axes over the past two weeks, and apart from the Wetterling's Foresters Fine axe, represent some of the old established English tool makers, that had a 'good name' back when we still had something of a steel, tool and cutlery industry.

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Wm. Gilpin Snr & Sons Tools Hatchet (est. 1817)
OAL 13 1/2"
OAW 1.36lb

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Original handle is a bit too loose, so may have to drill out the wedge and re-do in order to preserve the original haft.

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It has a nice convex to the face. Not often seen in newer European axes.

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Snail Brand 'No. 1'
Aka. Thomas Smith and Sons of Saltley (est. 1889, was producing hammers and hatchets by 1937)
OAL 12 1/2"
OAW 1.1lb

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Has a well fitted handle, with a wooden wedge only. Whats interesting with this ax is the hollows in the face. From what I've seen its REALLY uncommon in English & European axes (but not so in the US) in fact, I've only ever seen it on a similar Snail Brand 'No.1' before.

This will probably become my new kindling axe...and one that will no doubt become all dinked up by my bro who has done this to every other axe I leave for this task!

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It also exhibits a high(er than typical) center line. Seems to be in these older axes, back in the day, we got this bit right.
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Elwell Firemans Axe stamped '1942'
Edward Elwell of the Forge, Wednesbury (est. 1817....the forging of iron in this area is recorded as far back as 1597!)
OAL 14 1/4"
OAW 1.146lb

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This appears to have a through tang and although in good condition (barring the edge) there is a strong possibility for modding into something more 'unfriendly'.

Thanks for looking...hope it wasn't too boring. I thought it would be nice to share something a little different for you folks Stateside anyway.

Take care.
 
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Those are some nice ones for sure. Makers we don't see across the pond, thanks for sharing!
 
Very nice, Scruff! I really like that Gilpin. I lost out on a gilpin at the last minute one time on ebay.

That Wetterlings looks like a good user!
 
Ta. I have been scouring fleabay quite a bit I must confess, but the Gilpin was a happy coincidence! I really like it.

I've not wielded the Wetterlings in anger yet, I've been a bit crook, but it feels very well balanced indeed.
The head is 'slightly' misaligned on the haft, but other than that, its nicely put together I'd say.
 
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I particularly like the snail and the Elwell. It takes some confidence to adopt the snail as a tool trademark. Is there anything positive about snails?
Did the No 1 on the snail mean something standard across makers? I have a Brades Criterion No 1 28[superscript o] (=28 degrees edge bevel? just a guess).
 
Thanks again chaps.

He he. Indeed, what can be said about the humble snail?
It carries it's home on its back. Maybe a sign of its strength and deprndibility??

As for the 'No 1'. I had originally thought that the Snail Brand was owned by Brades but a little research showed otherwise. Brades was another company that has a good history, and was later to become part of Spear & Jackson if you've heard of them?
 
Interesting to view stuff from across the pond. I put back in service a clean (either high quality steel or lightly used or both) W. Gilpin, England 7 lb sledge hammer some 20 years ago. Belonged to a Lockmaster (long ago profession that operated and maintained canal locks; ie Rideau Canal: Ottawa to Kingston) from 100 years ago. Have always been curious about that maker. Will try to get some pictures and attach.

Inscribed: 7lb Solid Steel British crest of some sort W.Gilpin. This head has never been cleaned up and is not dimpled, burred or mushroomed like so many other sledges I've seen and used over the years.

 
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Neat! I've never seen a fireman's "hatchet" before. That style of mounting the head is not terribly common either. I think I've seen the "tang head" on an old geologists hammer. Did the axe makes of old(er) England normally make use of imported hickory or was there a native wood that was also used for handle material?

I've got an old Sheffield "machete" (for lack of a better term, it's a quarter inch thick along the back) I need to rehandle it.



 
Fireman's hatchets of that type more commonly have an insulating rubber handle moulded onto them, to avoid shock in case of contact with electrical wiring or equipment. They, and the type with a larger blade, were also used as aircrew rescue axes - carried in the cockpit as an escape axe, and by rescue firecrews on the ground... Many were made for use in WW2 and carried in troop carrying gliders.

Hale Bros Ltd made many edge tools, oiften to government contract for military use (as did many other edge tool makers, Gilpin included)...
 
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