Ten dollars for Axe and a PLUMB Head. Anyone heard of : "N.W.T. Co."

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
924
Hi all,

I figured for five dollars (Flea Market), what the heck. The overall condition of this 2.5# Single bit, 21" handle Axe is pretty decent. There was a little bit of Mushrooming on the Poll on one side. The only marking on the Blade is : N.W.T. Co. (and in the middle of the Blade) the numbers "2 1/2". The old Handle is a nice old Fawn's leg (which I find very comfortable) but, this handle is going to need some serious work to be usable. Once home, I carefully removed TWO metal wedges. It appears whoever originally hung this Axe did a poor Ass job. The "cut out" line for the handle is waaay off to one side and I suspect making it next to impossible to secure the Head tight. Lucky for me, I know of a very nice older Gentleman who is an outstanding Wood worker and has a awesome Wood working shop who may be able to save this handle. I don't pretend to know much (if anything) about wood working matters but, I think after the first 1/4 inch is removed from the handle top (too messed up) that another fine line cut could be made (on the "thicker" of the two sides) so as to make a more even/wider "line cut" and then use a THICKER wedge ? I don't know if that makes sense to you all but, I THINK that is what would have to be done in order to save this neat old Handle (which should clean up nicely). Seeing as this is a five dollar Axe, I am using this as a "learning tool". That is to say, I have already removed and cleaned the Head, filed off some of the Mushrooming (not sure if this was a good idea or not) comments/suggestions ? When I get the proper tools, this Axe would be a good one for me to learn how to sharpen. If I mess it up, it's only five dollars, that is unless N.W.T. Co. is some rare Axe! Oooh yea, I also bought a PLUMB two pound Axe Head (no handle) in decent shape for five bucks. It's having a Vinegar bath tonight! These items should keep me busy for awhile. Still, this will NOT stop me from looking for more Axes/Hatchets. See, I told ya'll I get OCD.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Hi D,

Arrrrrr, my computer is old and soooo messed up that it is difficult for me to even use let alone post pixs. I hope to someday get this situation fixed.

HARDBALL
 
NWT Co. = North Wayne Tool Co. of Oakland, Maine. My favorite scythe blade maker. :) They made some axes but mostly made scythe blades, grass hooks, brush axes, etc.

Edit to add: You can see a scan I took of a 1940's NWT catalog (#117) in my collection HERE. You'll note there's not a single axe in the catalog other than their weird combo axe/brush hook thingy.
 
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I love that first one you linked, Thomas! May I find one myself some day! :D
 
We can all dream. I walked into a garage sale and found a Girl Scout Marbles No. 9. The sheath was about shot, but the axe was just beautiful. $5.00. Keeps me looking.
 
Hi FortyTwo and Thomas,

Thank you both very much for you're help and providing the links. Ah! I now have my first Maine made Axe! Very cool.
Thomas, I know what you mean. My having found (first time out) a seemingly rare Norlund double bit "Saddle Cruiser" in very good condition just .....keeps me looking (and looking and looking). I'm doing my best to control my spending.

Regards,

HARDBALL aka Tom
 
As compared to knives, they are heavy and take up space. The wife barely understands the "knife thing," and is totally befuddled by the "axe thing." 0___0
 
Thomas Linton said:
As compared to knives, they are heavy and take up space. The wife barely understands the "knife thing," and is totally befuddled by the "axe thing." 0___0
Click to expand...

You have to build her a house with an axe, cut all the wood to heat it, shave with the axe, etc. It's a means to other things. If a car never drove, you'd think it was just a piece of metal.
 
HARDBALL said:
Hi FortyTwo and Thomas,

Thank you both very much for you're help and providing the links. Ah! I now have my first Maine made Axe! Very cool.
Thomas, I know what you mean. My having found (first time out) a seemingly rare Norlund double bit "Saddle Cruiser" in very good condition just .....keeps me looking (and looking and looking). I'm doing my best to control my spending.

Regards,

HARDBALL aka Tom
Click to expand...

Out of around 60 or 70 axes, my Maine axes are generally my favorites. I like the geometry of them the best of any other region. PLenty of mass produced axes are good too. I love plumb axes, for example, because I like the geometry of them and they are usually very well proportioned.

Don't sweat things too much. a lot of things I thought I messed up before turned out to be fine when revisited later. Just enjoy things and don't over think.

I would also consider a longer handle for the NWT. 2 1/2 is heavy. They are called boys axes, but Snow & Nealley had their 2 1/2 pound axes called "men's axes" (the boys axes were 2 pounds). There is a reason for that, it's heavy. I would put it on 27 or 28 inch handle. 21" is too short for pretty much any axe, I never go shorter than 24" for anything. That axe will do work if you get a good handle on it and get it sharp and shaped well.
 
You have to build her a house with an axe, cut all the wood to heat it, shave with the axe, etc. It's a means to other things. If a car never drove, you'd think it was just a piece of metal.
Click to expand...

Out of around 60 or 70 axes, my Maine axes are generally my favorites.
Click to expand...

It's not the "an axe" thing. It's the 117 axe thing.
 
Hi guys,

G-Pig, I agree with you. I think the 2.5 pound Head is waaay too heavy (at least in my book) for the handle it was on. I suspect someone either didn't know what the heck they were doing when hanging this tool (per the poor hanging job) and/or only had a shorter (but nice) older handle and just had to make do with what was on hand. I will take you're advice and look for a longer handle for the N.W.T.Co. Head and use this smaller handle for a lighter head 1 to 2 pounds. Thomas.....yea, my wife thinks I've lost it as well.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Could be worse. If you think storing axes is tough you should try storing scythes. A mere dozen units takes up quite a lot of real estate. :D
 
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