![]() Tom from Yesteryears tools mentions this pattern as originating in the late 18th century and describes it as a very heavy felling axe. Some terminology: when I say "wide", I'm talking about the angle of the grind, when I say "broad", I mean the distance from toe to heel. The other group I see is the narrower New England and Great Lake designs, which have no lugs, and were used for cutting primarily softwoods (white pine).ĭue to Indiana's oak forests, the Hoosier pattern, probably developed with hardwoods in mind, would fit better in the other group Patterns with lugs would still be forged by the big manufacturers, but these are more of an aesthetic element. Latter designs from the middle of the 19th century, such as double bits, axes with forged out phantom bevels, and axes from the period of the logging boom in the great lakes region of the US, were generally earless - they didn't need the ears. I believe these are a somewhat archaic feature, leftover from a time in the early 18th century when axes were not yet as broad and needed the extra contact with the handle. The point of these was to increase the contact with the handle and secure the axe head better. The hardwood felling axes of the south and to an extent the Atlantic coast, designed for cutting mostly hardwood. ![]() There were probably other designs, a lot of regional variation, but the classification probably exists for a reason.įirst, using a map from 1884, you can see the division of the North American continent in terms of forest types. The marketing and production departments of the big tool manufacturers did just this when they standardized American axe patterns and made a list of them over 100 years ago. There are, however, general tendencies region by region, which we can take a look at. Multiple tree species were felled, and multiple types of axe were used everywhere. Some of them are very large and have diverse geography, climate, etc.ĭue to this, it’s difficult to generalize a state or region as harvesting one particular tree species and using one kind of axe. To understand the origin of American axes, we must understand the history of American logging.Īmerican states are essentially countries. There is some theory involved as well, because there is very little, if any, research on the subject of axe geometry.įully modern American axe designs have existed since before the American revolution. I looked at many sources and archive footage, and compiled this little article, which I hope you enjoy. I don't think there's a real scholarly tradition about crafts and tools in the US, because if there was, you would be able to read up in-depth about the tool that built your country. I really love axes, and America is where most axe innovation took place, so I decided to read up on it. I've linked the original article on bladeforums, with photographs and pictures, here: ĪMERICAN AXE HISTORY: SINGLE BIT FELLING DESIGNS I encourge you to look through the source materials as well. There's bound to be a couple of mistakes here and there, which I hope you correct if you find any. I'm extremely disappointed that to learn more about the axe, I actually had to do work, which I really dislike. No loggers' accounts, no look at historical artifacts, no real in-depth theory on geometry and design. The closest to an informative overview are a couple of encyclopedias by Neumann where you can see tools from the time of the American revolution, including old axes.Įverything else is very shallow and uninformed. I'm still of the opinion that not one good axe book exists. Seeing that I paid $12 for it, I'd say I came out on top.Hey, here's as article about the American felling axe I wrote using as many sources as I could. Some were saying it's worth over $100 in this condition. It isn't really all that old manufactured sometime in the mid 70s to 80s. Being the DIE HARD TEXAN I am I love the story and would like to see it chop some cedar again. A small Swedish carving axe but after getting the news of it's historical pertinence here in Texas I think I'll be keeping it and restoring it. Now originally I was going to trade it for something else. Here's a link to what the San Antonio fella sent me (cool read). It was "made" to cut our Cedar's down.Ī man by the name of Charles Weiss modified a broken hatchet into this "cedar chopper" and the rest is history. Then finally a guy from San Antonio explained to me that this axe is very rare anywhere but here in Central Texas. Then a few PMs asking if I want to get rid of it. Then a few people mentioning how lucky I was. Didn't take but just a few seconds and I had a reply, "Council Tools". Stumbled across this guy and before pulling the trigger I sent a picture to the Axe Junkies Facebook group for identification on the maker's mark. Went to the flea market today looking for an axe and a few other hand tools.
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