Will I use it?

AaronGP

AaronGP

Joined
Jul 19, 2014
Messages
144
I’m hoping to do a restoration on a vintage double bit axe soon and I’ve got a question about patterns. Living in the Puget Sound region as I do, and being a huge fan of history as I am, I’m drawn to the Puget Sound pattern. My understanding of the pattern is that it was developed for felling the large trees native to our region and commonly harvested during the late-19th and early-20th centuries.

That said, I won’t be felling any trees like that. My principle use for a double bit axe would be bucking. So is this pattern something I would actually use? For my intended use would I be better off with a Michigan or Western pattern?

Regardless I’d still like to restore a Puget Sound pattern axe, but I might approach things a little differently if I weren’t going to be getting a lot of use out of it.

Thanks!
 
Axeman gives great advice here. The western pattern with its nice large cutting edge would be great for bucking. As many of us already know though, if you are to the point where you are calling out patterns once you get one you will end up getting many more lol. Have fun with it man. Get a Puget and if possible a western and a Michigan. Then find out which you like the best for bucking!
 
While I don't have too terribly much experience bucking anything up with a western, I can say they are the best all-around pattern I've encountered so far. My True Temper Flint Edge is my favorite user double bit and often trumps my single bits as well. I have another TT western waiting to be hung, but if you can't find one locally or on the 'bay I'd get rid of him.
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A17 said:
While I don't have too terribly much experience bucking anything up with a western, I can say they are the best all-around pattern I've encountered so far. My True Temper Flint Edge is my favorite user double bit and often trumps my single bits as well. I have another TT western waiting to be hung, but if you can't find one locally or on the 'bay I'd get rid of him.
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I'm watching a TT Kelly Perfect Western on eBay right now. The pictures aren't great, but it looks reasonably sound and the price is right (at the moment). It finishes up in two days and if I can snag that I'll be happy. If I can't then I may be interested in talking to you about the extra head you've got. Do you have any pictures?
 
A17 said:
While I don't have too terribly much experience bucking anything up with a western, I can say they are the best all-around pattern I've encountered so far. My True Temper Flint Edge is my favorite user double bit and often trumps my single bits as well. I have another TT western waiting to be hung, but if you can't find one locally or on the 'bay I'd get rid of him.
IMG-1719.jpg
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Hey bud shoot me an email real quick. I will send you a pic of this handle. I can’t find your email
 
A17 said:
Here it is. It's vintage, still got paint on the bits, and is in darn near brand new condition overall. If you don't get the ebay one, this one could be yours for $5 and the ride.
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Thanks! I'll let you know in a couple of days.
 
A17 said:
More than one, I imagine. I literally got about all of my axe collection and most of my other tool collections for free or next to nothing and figured I'd pass some of my good fortune on.
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Well, A17, I lost out on the Kelly Perfect Western I was bidding on (someone else got a wonderful axe for $36, which was more than I was willing to spend), so I’d like to take you up on your offer! I’ve never purchased anything from anyone on here, so how would you like to proceed?
 
AaronGP said:
I’m hoping to do a restoration on a vintage double bit axe soon and I’ve got a question about patterns. Living in the Puget Sound region as I do, and being a huge fan of history as I am, I’m drawn to the Puget Sound pattern. My understanding of the pattern is that it was developed for felling the large trees native to our region and commonly harvested during the late-19th and early-20th centuries.

That said, I won’t be felling any trees like that. My principle use for a double bit axe would be bucking. So is this pattern something I would actually use? For my intended use would I be better off with a Michigan or Western pattern?

Regardless I’d still like to restore a Puget Sound pattern axe, but I might approach things a little differently if I weren’t going to be getting a lot of use out of it.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

As a fellow WTA member, no, you will never use A PS falling axe for bucking. It was designed as a special-purpose axe for felling in conjunction with a crosscut saw. It is not a bucking axe. Its long narrow bits made it ideal for cutting the deep notches needed to insert a springboard. I have felled with it, both with and without a saw. It is not the most efficient cutter for NW timber. The narrow bit would be well suited to bucking very hard woods.

Previous suggestions of a Western pattern are a great idea. Old Axeman's suggestion would be a terrific bucker, maybe the best choice. And A17's offer is too good to pass up.

All that said, do you plan to use it for trail work? Would you ever want to take it on a Back Country Response Team hike? Would you ever use it for an underbuck? All these things might steer you toward a different type of axe.

But for a bucker on one-day trail work events a 32" Western DB is a fantastic choice.

If things don't work out with A17 please contact me. I have plenty of axes to share with a fellow WTA member and an assistant crew leader like yourself.
 
Square_peg said:
As a fellow WTA member, no, you will never use A PS falling axe for bucking. It was designed as a special-purpose axe for felling in conjunction with a crosscut saw. It is not a bucking axe. Its long narrow bits made it ideal for cutting the deep notches needed to insert a springboard. I have felled with it, both with and without a saw. It is not the most efficient cutter for NW timber. The narrow bit would be well suited to bucking very hard woods.

Previous suggestions of a Western pattern are a great idea. Old Axeman's suggestion would be a terrific bucker, maybe the best choice. And A17's offer is too good to pass up.

All that said, do you plan to use it for trail work? Would you ever want to take it on a Back Country Response Team hike? Would you ever use it for an underbuck? All these things might steer you toward a different type of axe.

But for a bucker on one-day trail work events a 32" Western DB is a fantastic choice.

If things don't work out with A17 please contact me. I have plenty of axes to share with a fellow WTA member and an assistant crew leader like yourself.
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Thank you for the comprehensive and right-on-target answer! I suspect that the axes I'll get the most actual use out of are the Plumb Rockaway/Jersey and the Kelly Perfect single bits that I'm restoring right now. One side for chopping and one side for tapping in plastic wedges. I have used Joe Hofbeck's double bit a time or two on trails and it's a sweet little thing. (I honestly don't know whether it was a full size axe or something more in the cruiser range.) At this point I'm quite looking forward to restoring the head A17 is sending my way for use on trail!

Regarding a Puget Sound pattern, I think what I'll do is see when one falls into my lap and then restore it with the idea more of preserving a piece of history than putting a working axe back in the field.

P.S. We should try to meet up on a work party some time!
 
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