Some Help Please

[digitalurbancamo]

I found an old hatchet with a stamp "drop fork german" on it. I am thinking about restoring it but does anybody know if it is worth the effort? Sorry but I don't know much about hatchets and axes. I can tell you that when I found it it had a varnished handle on it and it was apoxy set onto the head. I'll post some pics later if needed although I have already started removing the handle. I am freezing the apoxy as I type this so I can remove it. A punch was not working so I figured I would try freezing it lol

 

[300Six]

Have fun. You've obviously got or developed the 'bug'. The stamp "Germany" already tells you for sure this is not junk and any effort you devote to this will likely not be wasted. Pre-1940 the Jerries referred to themselves collectively as 'German' and post 1945 to 1992 they distinguished between west and east. Whatever is the case 'Squareheads' always used top quality steel and well-trained labour and only if the implement was made in 44-45 could it be considered 'run of the mill'.

 

[M3mphis]

"Drop fork?" Are you sure it is not "drop forged?"

 

[digitalurbancamo]

Oh that's great new. Thanks for all the info.
Now I don't suppose you know of a good way to get really old wood that happens to be soft and epoxied on to a squarehead off do you? I am thinking I may have to go the chemical rout because this stuff is thick and the wood is so soft it's not cracking...

"Drop fork?" Are you sure it is not "drop forged?"

Sorry that was a typing error. Yes it's drop forged

 

[Steve Tall]

Another German hatchet that's stamped "Drop Forged":

From the condition I'm guessing this must be a fairly new hatchet - made post re-unification. It's stamped 'Drop Forged, Made in Germany', not West Germany.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/938475-German-hatchet

 

[Double Ott]

I found an old hatchet with a stamp "drop fork german" on it. I am thinking about restoring it but does anybody know if it is worth the effort? Sorry but I don't know much about hatchets and axes. I can tell you that when I found it it had a varnished handle on it and it was apoxy set onto the head. I'll post some pics later if needed although I have already started removing the handle. I am freezing the apoxy as I type this so I can remove it. A punch was not working so I figured I would try freezing it lol

I believe that most of us use a drill to drill out the epoxy. Then use a punch to pound out what left of the helve in the eye.

Good luck, Tom

 

[Square_peg]

Another German hatchet that's stamped "Drop Forged":

From the condition I'm guessing this must be a fairly new hatchet - made post re-unification. It's stamped 'Drop Forged, Made in Germany', not West Germany.

After learning more about the origin of that hatchet I think it is more likely pre-war. I got it at an estate sale full of items that had been warehoused for over 20 years. That puts it back close to the date or re-unification. And along with it I found a nice minty pre-Permabond Plumb. So I know the previous owner collected very nice old hatchets. And I've run across a few other 'Strong-Boy' references which lead me to believe this is pre-war.

 

[digitalurbancamo]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Here are some pictures of what I have so far. I finally removed the head and all the epoxy. I have striped off old paint that was on it and started to remove the nicks from the edge. This thing is really beat up but after I take it to the grinder and buff it up I think it will be ok. What do you guys think?









Should I continue with this or just find something else?

 

[300Six]

Carry on, you've got nothing to lose. Crude as it may look the crucial thing is quality of steel, blade profile and quality of the 'hang'. This is where you come in. The implement must have been an 'export' item because metric head weights (instead of 1 1/2lb) are more the norm for stamps on European goodies.

 

[Square_peg]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Here are some pictures of what I have so far.



Should I continue with this or just find something else?

From the shape of the cheeks and the high centerline I think you're looking at a vintage and possibly pre-war hatchet. So it's likely made of good steel. I would definitely continue with the restoration.

But I'm curious, you say that the head was set with epoxy. That suggests a later date. Epoxy was invented in 1936. Plumb was the first U.S. axe maker to start using it in 1957(?). I doubt Germany was making epoxy-set hatchets for export in the run up to the war or during it. Seems more likely that some West German manufacturers didn't distinguish themselves as 'West German' and just stamped 'Germany' on their products. This could explain the excellent condition of my 'Germany' hatchet as well.

Another possibility is that someone re-hung it with epoxy at a later date.