What the heck is this thing????

[COSMO]

So I am turning to the experts for input on my latest flea market find. I decided to post it here because this thing is sure closer to being an axe than a knife. As the picture shows, it is about 9 to 10 inches in length, and seems a bit aged. The only markings on it are the numbers “1180.” you can see it in the first picture. I don't have a side view, but it is full tang. If anyone can provide me with any information on what this is, how old it may be, and how it may have been used, I would be grateful.

Thanks

Cosmo

 

[Agent_H]

It could be an old Foster Brothers #1180 meat cleaver that was cut down.

 

[A17]

A cut down cleaver was my thought as well.

 

[Fmont]

The forbearer of the modern flat stock hatchet

 

[COSMO]

Ok, I think you guys are correct. I bought a cut down cleaver. I looked at google images of a foster bros 1180 cleaver and it looks similar. Now I have to decide if I leave it the way it is or replace the handle and fix it up. Thanks so much for the quick identification

Cosmo

 

[Agent_H]

Nothing wrong with a cut down cleaver! It has a cool look to it now. Could you clean it up, make it kitchen prep sharp, and use it?

What would you do to it if you “projected” it?

 

[COSMO]

Agent H - I was thinking about a few options:
1) hit it with some flitz and steel wool to get the metal looking nicer, sand and polyurethane the wood handles to protect and keep the vintage character. Sharpen it up nice.
2) remove and replace the wood handles with some new cool wood, sand all the metal to get rid of all the rust and age, make it shine again. Sharpen it up.

One is clearly more work than two
David

 

[Agent_H]

Are those letters?
(Might be pareidolia on my part)

 

[Fmont]

I think it would be great in the kitchen. Clean it thoroughly, put a nice bright edge on it contrasting the patina, oil the handles (which I think are really cool), etc. It might be a great tool for breaking down a bird or big fish. Looks like something you'd see in one of those 'gourmet cooking in the woods' YouTube videos.

 

[Fmont]

Agent I think there's something there, and more of it to the northwest of your highlighted box.

 

[rjdankert]

Might be pareidolia on my part

Hmm, what do you see here?

Bob

 

[COSMO]

ok, so since you all had me looking for more letters on this.... I don't even know what to call it...... half cleaver? wanna be Axe? cutty choppy thing? I took some flitz to it to see if I could find any more markings. None found, but here is how it looks now.

 

[jblyttle]

That looks like a cleaver owner needed a hatchet more. We all think that gear modding is a new thing, but no!