Collecting Antique Axes

Board instruments are among the earliest forms of tools, with surviving primitive axes dating back to 8000 BC. The first boards were made by "wrapping" the red-hot iron around a form, getting the eye of the ax. The steel bit, introduced in the 18 th century, was established in the crease in the front and hammered into a board. The opposite side of the bit has been extended in a poll, for a better balance and to provide a surface of hammering.

The handles has taken a variety of forms, or other indicative of origin, in the field of work. The length of the handle has to do with the arc of oscillation that has been requested. Felling axes took a full swing and had longer handles. The first axes have their handles mounted through the eye from top to bottom and the handles remain in place by locking in the cone of the eye, so that they can be removed for sharpening.

Subsequently axes, however, have their handles to pass through the eye from the bottom, and have a wedge driven in from above. This permanently locks the handle for the ax and was much preferred by American woodsmen. Many axes found today had been discarded because the handle was split or broken. In most cases can be purchased at a fraction of their value and, with another handle, can be restored to their original condition. Most ax collectors have a stock of older flea market that handles used for this restoration. As flat blades, ax handles have been replaced two or three times for the duration of the tool. As long as the handle is "correct", ie, the shape and length for its function, does not mean that much of its value.

Prices of antique axes runs the full range from a few dollars to several hundreds. Examples of well-made boards should include the Plumb, White, Kelly, Miller and many others. Beyond these were axes of sometimes lesser quality, but built to a price, and sold thousands. Exceptional examples might include hand axes, possibly by the local blacksmith, or a factory that specializes in the manufacture, regardless of price.

There are different types of boards out there such as:

SINGLE BIT FELLING AXE:

This ax is considered the workhorse of the family ax. This is a simple design, ranging from a 2 ½ lb. head used by campers to 4-7 ½ lb. head used for forestry. There are items used in competition loggers who are up to 12 pounds .. With the advent of the two-man crosscut saw, and then the chain saw motor shaft are no longer taken from the axis. The ax is a utility tool for clearing branches off the tree felled, and firewood splitting.

DOUBLE BIT FELLING AXE:

Axes double map always straight handles, unlike any other modern ax. Almost all are hickory ax handle. Hickory has both strength and spring, and was soon found to be the best for ax handles. Since the end of 1800 a number of artifacts ax adopted intricate logos that were embossed or engraved on the head of the ax. Nearly 200 different styles have been identified to date and these have also become a collector's interesting.

BROAD AXE:

The broad ax is not as common as the ax cut, and is much larger. Its aim was to square the log bundles. He used a much shorter swing that the felling ax, then needed a much shorter handle. The identifying characteristic many of these axes is the chisel edge, which allowed the rear side of the ax of being flat dead. Because of this, there is a space problem on your hands. To keep your hands to be scraped off, the handle is tilted away from horizontal or influence of the dark. This is the feature that should always be sought when purchasing a large ax. If the edge is sharp chisel, then the handle should be affected. As with the felling ax, axes have a large variety of models, especially as a result of geographic preference.

Goosewing AXE:

The goose wing ax is one of the most artistic looking out there, and takes its name from its resemblance to the wing of a goose in flight. It works exactly like a chisel cutting ax wide, except that the American version has the handle grip more heavily bent or inclined from a plane of the blade. These axes are large and difficult to forge. Many show cracks or repairs and the original handle is rare. Signed pieces, especially by U.S. officials, especially Pennsylvania Dutch, are much more valuable. Equally important is the difference in value between the axles and European Americans, those Americans that are worth much more. Some well-known U.S. producers of the 19 th century and whose names appear imprinted on axes are Stohler, Stahler, Sener, Rohrbach, Addams, and L.and IJ White.

Shipwright'S AXE OR MAST

This ax is used to model the masts of ships and timber, and is usually grounded on both sides. It varies in length based on local customs. The pointy ears or double flaps are common with this ax.

COOPER'S AXE:

This ax has a handle lighter socket, well inclined and brings a very short handle. Although the general distinction between an ax and an ax is an ax that is used with two hands and one with an ax, the ax Cooper is one of the exceptions to the rule. It 'was mainly used for modeling of barrel staves, and was almost always used with one hand while the other holds the staff.

COACHMAKER'S AXE:

This is an asymmetrical ax used to model the parts by bus almost a way of pairing. The heads of various sizes, some styles that take effect "beard", hence the nickname "bearded ax". These axes are almost exclusively of European origin.

ICE AXE:

Back in the day, the ice was collected during the winter from ponds and lakes and stored on ice hosted for summer use. This was an important winter cash crop for many farmers. There was a whole family of tools developed to serve this area, among which was the pick. Also in this case, local models to create a variety of styles.

FIRE AXE:

These are sought after collector's items, because many of the older companies have monogram of the fire on the head. All have rear pikes used for the disposal or creation of ventilation openings.

MORTISER AXE:

The blade of these axes are long and narrow to fit the size of the mortise hole is designed to cut, most often for the post and beam construction or post and rail. Some have double bits, one bit in size to the length and the other for the width of the hole.

TRADE AXE:

Trade routes were originally brought over by the French and Spanish and then by the British and were traded to the Indians who held them in high esteem very high. They were poll-less and small enough to be worn at the waist and used with one hand. The larger varieties were known as squaw axes and were used by women to chop wood.

TURF or BOG AXE:

Used for cutting grass and peat, these axes are not heavy enough to cut wood.

HATCHET:

Axes are the axes of small size are used with one hand ....