Unusual Double Bit Cruiser

Creek_Stomper · Nov 5, 2015

I restore axes as a hobby, and as an apartment dweller, I've currently got limited room and limited use for larger axes. So I tell people to keep an eye out for cruisers, boys axes, and hatchets. This one came in via my in-laws who were vacationing in rural Arkansas. I'm hoping someone can shed some light on the origin of this little cruiser.

I've never seen a cruiser-sized double bit with phantom bevels, other than the 'new' barco axes. This axe is definitely not new, and the only mark on it is the little triangle "touch mark". So, has anyone seen something like this before, or is it likely a one-off by a local blacksmith?

Operator1975 · Nov 5, 2015

I would clean it up and see what else you can find on it. With that triangle mark, that would lead me towards that being made by Plumb, as they would mark their axes with circles, triangles, half moons, etc for various reasons, including distributors, hardware chains, etc.

Good find.

markv · Nov 5, 2015

i have a couple of crusiers, a Plumb
a Flint Edge
neither have bevels.
pretty cool looking axe you have there
can you post an image of the axe with a ruler next to it?

Creek_Stomper · Nov 5, 2015

Operator1975 said:
I would clean it up and see what else you can find on it. With that triangle mark, that would lead me towards that being made by Plumb, as they would mark their axes with circles, triangles, half moons, etc for various reasons, including distributors, hardware chains, etc.

Good find.

It looks rough, but most of the rust is gone. I'm fairly certain there is no other marking on this axe, though I reserve the right to be totally wrong.

markv said:
i have a couple of crusiers, a Plumb
a Flint Edge
neither have bevels.
pretty cool looking axe you have there
can you post an image of the axe with a ruler next to it?

It's a little over 9", which is larger than most 'cruiser' double bits, but the eye is significantly smaller than your normal 3.5lb DBs.

archertl · Nov 5, 2015

I have a belknap bluegrass cruiser that looks very close you your axe head.

jblyttle · Nov 5, 2015

I have seen Kelly's that looked like that, but you would probably see the stamp. Also, if it is a bit over 9" and it shows some toe wear it could easily be a well used full sized head. I believe that most of those (but not all) are around 10".

Square_peg · Nov 6, 2015

jblyttle said:
I have seen Kelly's that looked like that, but you would probably see the stamp. Also, if it is a bit over 9" and it shows some toe wear it could easily be a well used full sized head. I believe that most of those (but not all) are around 10".

I think that is a worn full size axe not a cruiser.

Operator1975 · Nov 6, 2015

I would challenge that if those are actual cruisers

garry3 · Nov 6, 2015

I have also failed to find any cruisers with phantom bevels. That being said I would not rule out that they exist. It appears that the Belknap is stamped 3 so pretty sure it is a worn full size axe.
What is the length of the eyes?

Aj35 · Nov 10, 2015

I just purchased a Kelly perfect 2 3/4 pound double bit, which I believe would be considered a cruiser. It has similar bevels and also is just over 9 inches. what exactly is a "phantom bevel"?

garry3 · Nov 10, 2015

Aj35 said:
I just purchased a Kelly perfect 2 3/4 pound double bit, which I believe would be considered a cruiser. It has similar bevels and also is just over 9 inches. what exactly is a "phantom bevel"?

Your Kelly has Phantom bevels as does the Blue grass double bit. Its the bevels on the side of the bits giving it an exaggerated high center line.

The Jersey pattern in this picture has them and the hatchet does not.

The eye size is what will tell you if you have a real cruiser or a worn(sometimes small) full size axe. A cruiser axe will have an eye size around 2 1/4" while a full size double bit will be around 3". I really like a 3lb or so axe on a 28" to 30" haft myself.

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Square_peg · Nov 10, 2015

Aj35 said:
what exactly is a "phantom bevel"?

Any of the beveled cheeks in modern steel axes are "phantom bevels". Beveled cheeks came out in the mid-1800's when axe bodies were still made out of wrought iron with inserted steel bits. Having less strength than steel, the wrought iron axe bodies were made thicker. To ease penetration into the wood and reduce binding deep bevels were forged into the axe body.

See this good post on Woodtrekker's blog:
http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/11/axe-head-geometry-phantom-bevels-and.html

As the Bessemer process and other modern steel foundry techniques evolved axes didn't need to be so thick anymore. But people had become accustomed to seeing bevels on top quality axes. So shallow bevels were retained solely for appearance and marketing sake - hence named "phantom bevels".