What do we have here?

[AdamFuzzyballs]

My dad found these hatchets at a yard sale this morning, and bought the three of em for $25. I’m not as concerned with how valuable they may be as I am with how valuable they’d be as a tool. I don’t know much beyond the very basics of hatchetry, but I want to learn more. Are these work putting back to work, or is there any particular history behind these?

Theres a true temper No. TB2, a “Wittes special” with old hickory labeled on the handle, and a mysterious one that only seems to have “M” marked on the head.





Thanks for anything y’all can tell me!

 

[Hickory n steel]

The true temper broad hatchet or " bench axe " is a great tool well worth putting to use if you have a need for a single bevel broad hatchet.

The Wittes special I don't really know , the name sounds German to me.
It's likely a perfectly good quality little half hatchet.

The last half hatchet marked M is probably made by Mann in the 80's, probably not terrible but I wouldn't expect it to be as good as a Vaughan you can get for $20 new today.


I'd say all are worthwhile tools, but that TT broad hatchet is the pick of the litter.

 

[AdamFuzzyballs]

The true temper broad hatchet or " bench axe " is a great tool well worth putting to use if you have a need for a single bevel broad hatchet.

The Wittes special I don't really know , the name sounds German to me.
It's likely a perfectly good quality little half hatchet.

The last half hatchet marked M is probably made by Mann in the 80's, probably not terrible but I wouldn't expect it to be as good as a Vaughan you can get for $20 new today.


I'd say all are worthwhile tools, but that TT broad hatchet is the pick of the litter.

Thanks for your input. That’s the one I had my eye on, was thinking we’d split them up for different uses. If it has anything to do with it, my dad has an old school double barrel shotgun that shares the same moniker- “wittes special”, but that may be completely unrelated. I did see a few other styles of hatchet with the same text, so it was probably a line of tools from old hickory if I had to guess.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

My dad found these hatchets at a yard sale this morning, and bought the three of em for $25. I’m not as concerned with how valuable they may be as I am with how valuable they’d be as a tool. I don’t know much beyond the very basics of hatchetry, but I want to learn more. Are these work putting back to work, or is there any particular history behind these?

Theres a true temper No. TB2, a “Wittes special” with old hickory labeled on the handle, and a mysterious one that only seems to have “M” marked on the head.
View attachment 1782500
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Thanks for anything y’all can tell me!

http://www.thckk.org/history/witte-hist.pdf
It looks like they sold shotguns, too https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/witte-hardware-wholesale-catalog-1897190905
The company also manufactured ?hardware store guns? under the Expert, I.X.L. label ? which are now highly-sought items by rifle and shotgun collectors. It is reported that Deavenports made shotguns for Witte Hardware Company.410 gauge, single shot shotgun, marked Witte's special was likely made by Iver Johnson for Witte Hardware Coo, St. Louis
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/graphic-1912-witte-hardware-co-3825748344

 

[rjdankert]

FWIW, In the True Temper catalogs I have access to, the TB (1 & 2's) were finished in black and single right-hand bevel.


Bob

 

[garry3]

A couple of real nice ones. Lots of those full hatchets were sold as shingling hatchets. That was the roofing hatchet of it's day.

The one with an M is an old cast steel head. They were an inexpensive option way back when. Not all of them are bad but some truly are. There are even cast iron ones. Ya, they actually did that.

Someone will show up shortly to explain why that head isn't cast, but it is %100.

 

[AdamFuzzyballs]

So for the roofing hatchets, are they useful for chopping wood? Seems to me they might not be the best option but they are an option nonetheless? Does the single bevel really effect the transfer of energy when chopping?

I think I’m gonna put a shorter handle on the Witte and make a pack hatchet, it’s the perfect weight for what I’d use it for

 

[TROB]

Anyone else notice the long crack in the wittes special? Comes up from the nail puller and extends all the way past the text.

 

[garry3]

So for the roofing hatchets, are they useful for chopping wood? Seems to me they might not be the best option but they are an option nonetheless? Does the single bevel really effect the transfer of energy when chopping?

I think I’m gonna put a shorter handle on the Witte and make a pack hatchet, it’s the perfect weight for what I’d use it for

Not great. They cut pretty straight lines though.....