Temper line on hatchet

[HeavyHanded]

Nothing too earth shattering, but a quick followup to my "what did you rehang" post. 1944 Mann 1.5lb hatchet head I noticed was too hard to easily sharpen with a file, harder than Fiskars X7 which is supposedly 55-56 RC.

Started putting the actual edge on this thing and lo and behold something I've never seen on any of my axes or hatchets (most are hardware store far but not even my Collins Boys axe) began to emerge - an honest to goodness temper line. This rehang just keeps getting better.

Looking forward to putting the finishing touches on it and getting out for some more backpacking.

 

[junkenstien]

Real nice hatchet.Have never filed one of the ww2 hatchets but the true americans made after the war are very hard,make a fiskars feel like butter.Plumb victory as well maybe supplying tools during the war they got a deal on salvage.

 

[Fmont]

I'd be surprised if Fiskars were that hard. They sure don't feel like it under a file, and don't mind rolling.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Pretty sure the Fiskars are about 50, comparable to a Tram machete. The Mann is probably about 55-56.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Looks like a nice tool.
On most vintage axes and hatchets once you've wire wheeled rust off you can see a temper line in the right light.

 

[David Martin]

I went and looked at my Mann 2 lb.. axe, True American and it is not as clean ed up as yours but the line is faintly on it. DM