Which way is up?

W

Win3855

Joined
Sep 14, 2008
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axe%20003-M.jpg
A unknown DB and I am unable to tell which way is up. No markings that I can see. It will be a Holiday gift for a couple I know, they use a horse to yard wood up in winter.
 
Is the eye tapered at all? Wider part would be up. Other than that, I would say it looks to be in the correct orientation due to more wear on the toe from (mis) use.


-Xander
 
Seems upside down in your pic to me. I think the toe should drop down lower than the heel should stick up. Flip it over, and the toe will drop down lower.

OOPS, I've got my terms backwards. I mean to say the heel should sit lower, the part that hits the wood first.
 
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fast14riot said:
Is the eye tapered at all? Wider part would be up. Other than that, I would say it looks to be in the correct orientation due to more wear on the toe from (mis) use.
-Xander
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Check the eye. It is your best bet to hang it correctly.

Double Ott
 
Bigger eye on top. That said, in your picture, it looks like you should have it flipped over (as it's pictured).
 
If you don't happen to have calipers nor access to calipers and it is too close to call using a measuring tape you can gently tap the head onto the haft with a mallet. This will leave a mark on the haft where the eye hits the shoulder. Now remove it from the haft and flip it over and repeat using the same force leaving another mark on the haft hopefully in a different spot. Whichever side seats further down on the haft is wider and therefore the top of the axe head.
 
The eye is pretty much the same size at both ends. It needs to be cleaned out.It will be a wall hanger out in the barn. I had not thought of the eye being tapered. Just a thought,would there be a big difference in eye opening.Thank you all for enlightenment.
 
Some are designed to be reversible with the same sized eye opening at each end. However most are different, sometimes not by much, hence the use of calipers to know for sure. But since this will be a wall hanger you should just hang it as the gang has identified it - upside down from from how it's seen in your image.
 
Square_peg said:
However most are different, sometimes not by much, hence the use of calipers to know for sure.
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I've always considered this folklore to some extent. I just grabbed a calipers and a half dozen vintage heads from various manufacturers and the only one with a considerable difference was a 70s Woodings Verona. I'm not calling anyone a liar, but to me it just doesn't seem as prevalent as I always heard it to be.
 
nickzdon said:
I've always considered this folklore to some extent. I just grabbed a calipers and a half dozen vintage heads from various manufacturers and the only one with a considerable difference was a 70s Woodings Verona. I'm not calling anyone a liar, but to me it just doesn't seem as prevalent as I always heard it to be.
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That's interesting. I just checked 4 western pattern doubles. 2 GB's, plumb, and a Mann True American. Only the Plumb is NOT tapered. The others are tapered.
 
M3mphis said:
That's interesting. I just checked 4 western pattern doubles. 2 GB's, plumb, and a Mann True American. Only the Plumb is NOT tapered. The others are tapered.
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Hmm. This is worthy of more investigation (and a new thread).
 
If you are talking about a "reversible pattern" head - I always thought that was more marketing than anything else, with the one eye still being tapered, ever so slightly.....they couldnt stray too far from manufacturing processes.
 
Reversible. Wear out the toe and hang it heel up. Wear out the heel and flip it again. I can see where it might appeal some heavy axe users. But I don't know if it's a better idea or not. Judging from the popularity of other patterns I'm guessing it wasn't all that great.
 
Was told handle has never been changed on the flint edge. Just looks like it should be mounted the other way. If I ever rehaft it I will get my calipers out!! ]
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