Tempered Polls...

[Broady]

Morning gentlemen. I have been on the lookout for single bits with tempered polls, but have yet to run across one. Could someone direct me to a specific manufacturer that tempered their bits and polls "back in the day"? Maybe some pics too? I'm mainly looking for vintage material, but I don't have a preference to American, Canadian, etc... Thanks fellas.

 

[L4NE4]

I searched on an auction site for "rafting axe". There was only one and it went for almost $80 in used condition for just the axe.

 

[Broady]

Would an axe that has a tempered poll be considered a rafting axe as the style of axe head?

 

[Steve Tall]

Here's a thread about Rafting Axes:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/895103-quot-Rafting-Axe-quot

Note how the vinegar soak made the hardened poll visible.
I've seen the "rafting" pattern in catalogs of various manufacturers from back in the day.

 

[bjp]

I know you've stated you're mainly interested in vintage, but here's a current production axe with a tempered poll (the larger one - the felling axe). I have one. It's pricey, but awfully nice.

http://www.garrettwade.com/german-convex-edge-axes/p/77A01.01/


-ben

 

[Broady]

I know you've stated you're mainly interested in vintage, but here's a current production axe with a tempered poll (the larger one - the felling axe). I have one. It's pricey, but awfully nice.

http://www.garrettwade.com/german-convex-edge-axes/p/77A01.01/


-ben

Ben, thanks for the link. The bavarian axe looks amazing. I will definitely be on the list for one once they come off of backorder.

 

[trailmaker]

Many of the roofing type hatchets have hardened polls although they may be smaller than what you're looking for. Here's a pair of True Temper Dynamic hatchets showing the hardened polls.

I have the Aberl from Garret Wade. It's a real looker and the steel seems to be high quality, however mine was pretty poorly hung so you might want to talk to someone on the phone at Garret Wade and have them hand pick one for you. Here it is next to a four pound Council.