Earn Money Surveys - Collecting Antique Axes

For better balance and to provide a hammering surface, the side opposite the bit was later extended into a poll. Was laid into the fold at the front and hammered into an edge, introduced in the 18th century, the steel bit. Yielding the eye of the axe, early axes were made by "wrapping" the red hot iron around a form. . With surviving primitive axes dated to 8000 B.C, edge tools are among the earliest tool forms.

So they can be removed for sharpening, early axes have their handles fitted through the eye from the top down and the handles remain in place by locking into the taper of the eye. Felling axes took a full swing and therefore needed the longest handles. The length of the handle had more to do with the arc of the swing that was required. Others relating to function, some indicative or origin, the handles took on a variety of shapes.

It won't detract that much from its value, the right shape and length for its function, " meaning, as long as the handle is "proper. Axe handles might have been replaced two or three times throughout the life of the tool, like plane blades. Most axe collectors have a stock of older flea-market handles that they use for this restoration. Can be restored to their original condition, with another handle, in most cases they can be bought at a fraction of their value and. Many axes found today had been discarded because the handle was split or broken off. This permanently locks the handle to the axe and was much preferred by American woodsmen. And have a wedge driven in from the top, have their handles fit through the eye from the bottom up, however, later axes.

Regardless of price, or from a factory that specialized in the handmade article, possibly from the local blacksmith, exceptional examples might include handmade axes. And sold by the thousands, but built to a price, beyond these were axes of sometimes lesser quality. Miller and numerous others, kelly, white, examples of well-made axes would include the Plumb. Pricing of antique axes runs the entire gamut from a few dollars to several hundred.

There are several types of axes out there such as:

SINGLE BIT FELLING AXE:

And splitting firewood, the axe is more a utility tool for clearing branches off the downed tree. Tree no longer are taken down by axes, and later the power chain saw, with the advent of the two-man crosscut saw. . There are heads used in lumbermen's competition that are up to 12lbs. Head used for forest work. To 7 lb; head used by campers to the 4 ½. Lb, varying from a 2 ½ it is a simple design. This axe is considered the workhorse of the axe family.

DOUBLE BIT FELLING AXE:

Almost 200 different styles have been identified to date and these have also become an interesting collectible. Starting in the late 1800's a number of axe manufactures adopted intricate logos that were embossed or etched on the head of the axe. And was found very early to be the best for axe handles, hickory has both strength and spring. Almost all axe handles are hickory. Unlike any other modern axe, double bit axes always have straight handles.

BROAD AXE:

Mostly a result of geographical preference, the broad axe heads have a variety of patterns, as with the felling axe. Then the handle should be swayed, if the edge is chisel-sharpened. This is the feature that should always be looked for when buying a broad axe. The handle was canted or swayed away from the flat plane of the axe, to keep the hands from being scraped. It posed a problem of clearance for the hands, because of that. That allowed the back side of the axe to be dead flat, the identifying feature of many of these axes is the chisel edge. Therefore required a much shorter handle, it used a much shorter swing that the felling axe. It's purpose was to square up logs into beams. And is a lot larger, the broad axe is not as common as the felling axe.

GOOSEWING AXE:

White. And L.and I.J, addams, rohrbach, sener, stahler, a few well-known 19th century American makers whose names appear imprinted on axes are Stohler. The American ones being worth considerably more, also of importance is the difference in value between American and European axes. Are considerably more valuable, mostly Pennsylvania Dutch, particularly by American makers, signed pieces. Many show cracks and repairs and an original handle is rare. These axes are large and difficult to forge. Except that the American version has the handle socket more heavily bent or canted up from the plane of the blade, it functions exactly as the chisel-edged broad axe. And it takes it's name from its resemblance to the wing of a goose in flight, the goose wing axe is one of the most artistic looking tools out there.

SHIPWRIGHT'S OR MAST AXE:

The double pointed ears or lugs are common with this axe. It varies in length base on local usage. And is usually ground on both sides, this axe is used for shaping ships' masts and timbers.

COOPER'S AXE:

And was almost always used with one hand while the other held the stave, it was used mostly for shaping barrel staves. The cooper's axe is one of the exceptions to the rule, although the general differentiation between an axe and a hatchet is that an axe is used with two hands and a hatchet with one. Well canted and carries a very short handle, this axe has a lighter handle socket.

COACHMAKER'S AXE:

" These axes are almost exclusively of European origin. Hence the nickname "bearded axe, some styles taking on a "bearded" effect, the heads vary in size. This is an asymmetrical axe used for shaping coach parts in almost a paring manner.

ICE AXE:

Local patterns create a variety of styles, again. Among them was the ice axe, there was a whole family of tools developed to serve this industry. This was an important winter cash crop for many farmers. Ice was harvested in the winter from ponds and lakes and stored in ice-housed for summer use, back in the day.

FIRE AXE:

All have rear pikes used for clearing openings or creating ventilation. Because many of the older ones have the fire company's monogram on the head, these are sought-after collectibles.

MORTISING AXE:

One bit sized for the length and the other for the width of the hole, some have double bits. Most often for post and beam construction or for post and rail, the blade on these axes are long and narrow to accommodate the size of the mortise hole it was designed to cut.

TRADE AXE:

The larger variety were known as squaw axes and were used by the women for chopping wood. They were poll-less and small enough to be carried at the belt and used with one hand. Trade axes were originally brought over by the French and Spanish and later by the English and were traded to the Indians who held them in very high regard.

TURF or BOG AXE:

These axes are not heavy enough to cut wood, used for cutting turf and peat.

HATCHET:

Hatchets are small axes used with one hand.