Great finds, they are all nice axes to have and to work on. Nice job. My favorite is the Kelly Works FS Polaski. On the Rockaway, I'd clean up the head and if the paint is not original I'd clean it off the handle and oil it up. These simple tasks would totally change the appearance of the axe for the better. On the Plumb double bit, if the paint is not original, again, I'd clean it up, and sand or scrape the handle, then oil it all up for appearance sake.
Thanks Dale! I think you're spot on with all of them. The handle on the rockaway may be a little beyond saving as it's warped and has some over strike damage. But I think the handle on the plumb will come back to life nicely! I'm super excited to build the Pulaski too. I'm happy i found a head worthy of the neat handle.
I'm really glad you like the Pulaski. It is definitely a nice one, and I love the trade. The grub portion was damaged and misshapend when I got it, so I decided to clean it up the best I could when I was sharpening the bit. I think that handle would look absolutely amazing on it, and i'm looking forward to that build. Great video Nate.
I'm super happy with it! I'm excited to hang it eventually too! I'm glad you're enjoying the fire axe too. You did a great job cleaning up the edges on the Pulaski too.
Nice finds and thanks to Lionhead restorations. I have a plumb like your Kelly there. I think it's a rockaway. It was on a very damaged permabond handle and the weird thing is it's stamped 3 5. Like 3lbs and 5 quarter lbs. So I thought it would weigh 4 1/4lbs. but it weighs 3 1/2 lbs. Actually 3lbs 7.6oz on my scale. I hung it on a free 32" straight handle I picked up but I split a huge chunk off the palm swell when hanging it. I just cut it off and I think it's 29 or 30" now. Since you like Plumbs so much I'll trade you for something Craftsman. If you want. Just a thought. Or a tommy axe head
Hey man I'm definitely interested. Shoot me some pics on Instagram when you get a chance. I know some of the later plumbs moved away from the 1/4 lb marks and used a "decmal" instead. I've got a plumb jetwing jersey with that stamping if I remember right!
I've got a beautiful belknap bluegrass dayton with bevels with your name on it, buddy. Ha ha, but seriously, I'll send you some pics today since I'm off until 11.
It sounds like it too me! I haeooverwoodskn kelly woodslasher without any TT stamping and believe that to be in the same boat. From a little research it seems TT bought Kelly in the 30s so my bet is your head predates that! Very cool!!
I think out of the three the Kelly rockaway is the gem out of the batch. Especially given the condition of the bit. The guy that first bought it must've just used it for splitting. Real shame about the poll but i don't think I've ever seen a legit rockaway on any listing have an intact poll.
I'm with you. Rockaways are definitely less common than a lot of other patterns and the majority of them seemed to be used hard. I have only seen a handful of ones without the poll damage. Both my plumbs have a little bit but not terrible. My Blackjack J.E. Pilcher has a clean poll though. I really need to rehang that axe lol
@Nsvens89 They are a really good pattern if you've had the chance to use one. The couple that I have a nice high center line. I sharpened them both up and they chop nicely. I think it's the amount of metal in the poll that really balance them out.
You have a lot of nice rockaways now man!
Thanks man! I still need to find one like the rockaway hatchet sized one you have haha. They really are a fun pattern
Btw I love the It Followed me Home series! No matter what tool it is I like seeing them. That Plumb is sweet.
It's a fun series for me too! I always enjoyed the thread with the same title on blade forums. I love seeing the stuff people bring home!
Great finds, they are all nice axes to have and to work on. Nice job.
My favorite is the Kelly Works FS Polaski.
On the Rockaway, I'd clean up the head and if the paint is not original I'd clean it off the handle and oil it up. These simple tasks would totally change the appearance of the axe for the better.
On the Plumb double bit, if the paint is not original, again, I'd clean it up, and sand or scrape the handle, then oil it all up for appearance sake.
Thanks Dale! I think you're spot on with all of them. The handle on the rockaway may be a little beyond saving as it's warped and has some over strike damage. But I think the handle on the plumb will come back to life nicely! I'm super excited to build the Pulaski too. I'm happy i found a head worthy of the neat handle.
I'm really glad you like the Pulaski. It is definitely a nice one, and I love the trade. The grub portion was damaged and misshapend when I got it, so I decided to clean it up the best I could when I was sharpening the bit. I think that handle would look absolutely amazing on it, and i'm looking forward to that build. Great video Nate.
I'm super happy with it! I'm excited to hang it eventually too! I'm glad you're enjoying the fire axe too. You did a great job cleaning up the edges on the Pulaski too.
Nice finds and thanks to Lionhead restorations. I have a plumb like your Kelly there. I think it's a rockaway. It was on a very damaged permabond handle and the weird thing is it's stamped 3 5. Like 3lbs and 5 quarter lbs. So I thought it would weigh 4 1/4lbs. but it weighs 3 1/2 lbs. Actually 3lbs 7.6oz on my scale. I hung it on a free 32" straight handle I picked up but I split a huge chunk off the palm swell when hanging it. I just cut it off and I think it's 29 or 30" now. Since you like Plumbs so much I'll trade you for something Craftsman. If you want. Just a thought. Or a tommy axe head
Hey man I'm definitely interested. Shoot me some pics on Instagram when you get a chance. I know some of the later plumbs moved away from the 1/4 lb marks and used a "decmal" instead. I've got a plumb jetwing jersey with that stamping if I remember right!
@ ok cool. Yeah I’ll send you some photos later. I’m looking at it now and it’s a jersey. Not a rock away.
Back from a 3 week hunting trip im getting caught up watching videos. Some nice finds for sure. Darren
Sounds like a good time Darren! Hopefully you filled the freezer. Enjoy catching up on the videos and there will be more to come for sure!
Nice ones!
Thanks Brett! I'm definitely happy with the new additions!
Love that rockaway, especially the nice full bit. Let me know if your trade doesn't happen !
Thanks Joey!!! I will definitely let you know! Same if any others fall into my lap haha.
Way cool finds! Wondering how yr gonna fit that Pulaski to a double bit handle tho? Unless I'm missing something?
Even though they look somewhat similar to a fire axe they have a double bit shaped eye so it shouldn't be too big of an issue to hang it.
I've got a beautiful belknap bluegrass dayton with bevels with your name on it, buddy. Ha ha, but seriously, I'll send you some pics today since I'm off until 11.
Sounds good!!! I'm sure we will cook something up👍
A while back I bought a Kelly fireman’s axe head in great condition, no true temper stammering so I’m wondering if it was made before the transition?
It sounds like it too me! I haeooverwoodskn kelly woodslasher without any TT stamping and believe that to be in the same boat. From a little research it seems TT bought Kelly in the 30s so my bet is your head predates that! Very cool!!
I think out of the three the Kelly rockaway is the gem out of the batch. Especially given the condition of the bit. The guy that first bought it must've just used it for splitting. Real shame about the poll but i don't think I've ever seen a legit rockaway on any listing have an intact poll.
I'm with you. Rockaways are definitely less common than a lot of other patterns and the majority of them seemed to be used hard. I have only seen a handful of ones without the poll damage. Both my plumbs have a little bit but not terrible. My Blackjack J.E. Pilcher has a clean poll though. I really need to rehang that axe lol
@Nsvens89 They are a really good pattern if you've had the chance to use one. The couple that I have a nice high center line. I sharpened them both up and they chop nicely. I think it's the amount of metal in the poll that really balance them out.