What Is It - Chisel ?? + Hand Ax + ugly hatchet

[crash325]

#1 Yes I know what it is called or named. And you hot shots hold off a little while as it may be fun to see what some folks think it is.

Yes its a type of chisel that is or was used in timber framing. As you can see by the pictures it was in pretty bad condition. A lot of sanding, square the cutting edge and a new handle. Not as good as new as some of the pitting was too deep to sand out. The new handle is about 1.5" shorter than the original, but it is still 25" overall.

I do not know what type of wood the handle is turned out of. When first turned it is a bright red. With in a day it oxidizes into a brown. The finish is 2 coats of linseed oil, then 2 coats of "Hut" white wax. Even with an almost instant finish it still turned brown.


#2 Proper name??
I have tried to find the proper name for this hand ax. I looked on the net for over and hour and most everyone has a different name for it. It was used by the ancient Romans and Greeks in truing up beams while ship building. What was their name for it? The cutting edge is sharpened like a chisel and the handle is offset to the right. Tried to show the offset in the picture but it is hard to see. This one may be a little more modern than the Greek or Roman ones, as it was made by "Plumb" on the side. A little hard to see is my grand fathers brand on 1 side. "A" "+" That is "A Cross" and he quickly corrected folks that called it "A plus".

#3 Ugly hatchet
This was a hatchet that I was using for splitting wood, before building a splitter. It split across the top. I put the handle on another old hatchet, then decided to weld up the crack. While at it weld in a hunk of rebar. Not a great welder but it did stay together. Was mostly having fun turning a piece of distressed Mesquite for a handle. Since it will rarely be used and then mostly for kindling it should hold up. If not "OH Well".:thumbsup:

 

[zzvyb6]

That's a really 'slick' way of describing it. :laughing:

 

[zzvyb6]

Witherby, Stinson, James Swan, Reliance, Eli, Greenlee, or Underhill to name a few. The other is commonly called a "broad axe". Last is just a common hand ax.

 

[J_J]

That looks like what the old times used for timber work, such as cutting dovetail joints, etc.

 

[beenthere]

Only the "cold" shots need apply.

 

[crash325]

That's a really 'slick' way of describing it. :laughing:

I love it. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[crash325]

That looks like what the old times used for timber work, such as cutting dovetail joints, etc.

J.J. I read just about everything you post. And you are almost always right. You are close this time and it is used while timber framing.

But this time you got it wrong. Strictly a Hand Tool, not to be hammered on. Somewhat large for most joints.

 

[crash325]

Witherby, Stinson, James Swan, Reliance, Eli, Greenlee, or Underhill to name a few. The other is commonly called a "broad axe". Last is just a common hand ax.

Thanks for the reply.

Brand names don't count. Really looking for the Tools name.

'Commonly called a "Broad Axe". That is what it is often called, But not the true name.

Yep last was just and Ugly Old, Broken Hatchet. Just fixed it up and added it in for the fun of it.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[JEH412]

First is a slick for timber framing, second is a goosewing axe and third is ugly but functional.

John

 

[retiredmgn]

First is a socket chisel. I would disagree that it was only meant to be used by hand. Usually the steel socket was for a chisel that was to be pounded on. Given the size, I would assign it the task of 'clean up' for moritse and tennon joints. Or, put a 3' handle on it to clean the bark off of logs.

Second is a broad axe. The handle of which would originaly be offset (curved) to keep your knuckles away from the timber being shaped. Been there, done that. Snap a chalkline the length of the timber. Chop in every foot to the depth of the chalkline. Use the broad axe (with offset handle) to remove the stock down to the line to square up the timber.

#3 is just an ugly hatchet.