What have I got? Anything special?

[plainjoe]

My son found this axe in the mountains 8-10 years ago. It got stuck in a corner of the basement and I kind of found it again. I am assuming it belonged to a firefighter. Dont know what kind of axe it is. It has a wide digging type end on the other end. The head probably weighs about 4 pounds.
The only markings I can find are: TRUE TEMPER
LINT EDGE
ELLY WORKS
I have some pics but cannot find the blinkin camera cord right now.
Can anyone tell me anything about it?
The markings are in big letters on the middle face of the axe. Will get you the pics asap.
Thanks. Scott

 

[Pipeman]

Hiya Scott, sounds like you have a Pulaski axe. It says Flint edge, Kelly works I figure.

Best regards

Robin

 

[plainjoe]

Pulaski. I could not think of that word. I knew it wasnt a pick-axe or fire axe. Thanks. I wish you could see the pics, but it doesnt look like the F for flint or the K for kelly was ever there. The rest of the letters show up good. All I have done so far is take some 60 then 220 grit sandpaper to get a lot of the old paint and surface rust off. In a couple of days I can use a bench grinder with a wire wheel to clean it up good. Mabey by then I will be able to post the pics. Someone has put a nice looking convex edge on it. Is it a quality axe or an el-cheapo?
Is it worth a new handle and a good polish for my son?
If I take the head to Ace or Home Depot will/can they help me pick the right handle and what ever I need?
Some advice on installing the handle would be greatly appreciated also.

 

[Pipeman]

Hiya Scott
Sounds like a bad strike of the mark. If you have use for a Pulaski axe then it'll need a handle ;-)

Best regards

Robin

 

[Steve Tall]

...Do you think it's worth putting a new handle on?

Yes! It's a good quality tool.

Similar to this? (thumbnail photo from Google Images)

from Wikipedia:
"The pulaski is a special hand tool used in wildland firefighting.
The tool combines an axe and an adze in one head, similar to that of the cutter mattock, with a rigid handle of wood, plastic, or fiberglass. The pulaski is a versatile tool for constructing firebreaks, as it can be used to both dig soil and chop wood. It is also well adapted for trail construction, gardening, and other outdoor work. As a gardening or excavation tool, it is effective for digging holes in root-bound or hard soil.
The invention of the pulaski is credited to Ed Pulaski, a ranger with the United States Forest Service, in 1911,[2] although a similar tool was first introduced in 1876 by the Collins Tool Company. Ed Pulaski was famous for taking action to save the lives of a crew of 45 firefighters during the disastrous August 1910 wildfires in Idaho. His invention (or reinvention) of the tool that bears his name may have been a direct result of the disaster, as he saw the need for better firefighting tools. The pulaski came into wide use by the Forest Service after 1913, and in 1920 the Forest Service began contracting for the tool to be commercially manufactured."

 

[Operator1975]

or i could be that for whatever reason that side of the tool was used more than the other, thus causing the uneven wear. Tough to say with out seeing it.