Questions for Rob Lee

Re: Questions for Rob Lee

Rob Lee

>Jorge �

The axe in question is an American pattern broad axe � one of about 20 or so we have squirreled away here. Unlike European versions, this pattern is symmetric, and has a symmetric eye � so it can be used right or left handed (it�s used with a cranked or offset handle). If you look at the cutting edge, you can see a distinct line where good quality steel was welded/forged onto the iron body�.if you could look at the �back� side of the blade, the width of the steel strip should be visible (important to know how much steel is left, if buying a user!). Sometimes, you may find one with two �maker�s marks� � which indicates that a second smith has put new steel on the edge.

These are used for squaring timbers � often after a scoring operation has been made with a felling axe (or a scoring axe!). Scoring the side of a log allow chips to break free when squaring�

These can be used a variety of ways � standing on the log, straddling the log, or standing beside the log - much depends on the size of the log, and what�s most comfortable for the user. I�ve only worked on small stuff � so prefer to straddle a log if possible�.these are heavy axes, and if you�re going to use one for any length of time, swinging it like a pendulum is least fatiguing (the way you�d swing a croquet mallet � if hitting a croquet ball between your legs, front to back)�

Not really sure on the date range of the American pattern, but would guess they date from the late 1700�s on�.

I've asked someone to track down the specific axe - and will post the maker's name (if legible) when we find it!

Cheers �

Rob

Follow-up..

Rob Lee

>Jorge �

Found the axe... no maker's mark...

Looking at the back, this axe has 1" to 1 1/4" of steel left...

Should also not that the eye is smmetric in only one axis - it's flat on the flat side of the axe...

Cheers -

Rob

Re: Questions for Rob Lee

Paul Kierstead

>"I've asked someone to track down the specific axe"

LOL. I can only wonder some of the strange requests your employee's get. You really should get some of those antique tools on display at the Ottawa store (to hell with the rest of you!).

Just a question (feel free to ignore it): Do you have someone monitor some of the groups? Your range is incredible.

Re: Questions for Rob Lee

Rob Lee

>Paul -

I'm a fast reader (Have read "Shogun" in one day)....and have a fast connection! :) Typing's another story....

This is the board I watch most...though I check 5 boards 3 times a day...and do searches for various terms once a week or so.

In the morning with coffee, at lunch in my office, and just before I leave work...

Board "hopping" is a great way to fill that 5 minutes before a meeting, or while waiting for an appointment...

On some other boards, you can set preferences to be notified when a thread you're following has a new post...

WRT to exhibits - I do want to set up 13 or 14 travelling exhibits (they can move from store-to-store each month) - but we just haven't got to that point yet...

Have to run - appointment's here..

Cheers!

Rob

Re: Questions for Rob Lee

Greg Sloop

>Damn...

All I can say is "what a nice guy." A piddley little request, but Rob goes and finds out - and more than one could have asked for...man...what a guy. (Reminds me of the "Jeff Jewitt went way out of his way and helped me" post a while back.)

I'll be buying lots more from LV as I know that everything rolls downhill. If the owner is an donkey's backside, the employees are going to act that way too. When I find good humor and genuinely nice people as owners, I'm overjoyed to send them my money. I know I'll get good service and I'm supporting someone who will go out of their way to make things right in the world.

This isn't intended as brown nosing, just wanting to say "Thanks" to Rob for his good nature and being an all around great guy. (For proof, see the chisel review thread. *grin*)

Thanks Rob!

Greg

Marks in Broad Axe

Jorge Casta�eda ~ East Penobscot Bay

>Thanka Rob, mine has about 1" of good steel left in the middle and less in the corners.

It has a makers mark but it was very corrroded when I bought it and it took a very heavy wire brush to get rid of the thick layer of scale. What is readable says _ _ KES & PLUM _ on top and under it Cast Steel. seems to be made of wrought iron.

Sometimes I read it as KKES & PLUMB and some times as IKES, no date.

Yes it is very heavy and for that reason when I hew beams I have at it with a shipbuilders adze on a vertical face, then rotate the log and when the face is horizontal I use the brad axe as a plane to hit the high spots, it works for me, but I am aware that was not the usual method.

So it may be older than I thought.

Thank you very much for the info

Jorge

Yerkes & Plumb

Todd Hughes

>don't know off hand when they made axes but figure last 1/4 of the 19th century or so . I have seen more then a few as well as adzes....Don't know if i have ever seen an original broad axe or hewing axe that had a symetrical eye instead of having one side flat. of course some chopping axes may have been incorrectly sharpened with a single bevel just like you see hewing axes with double bevels but I think if you are going to do any hewing you want a flat side up against the wood and that calls for an eye that is not in the centerline of the head. Of course the only difference between a left handled hewing axe and a right handled one is what end of the eye the handle goes in......Todd

Re: Questions for Rob Lee

paul womack

>...though I check 5 boards 3 times a day...

I assume this is partially out of "interest", and partially market research (AKA listening to potential customers).

Do you take any precautions to avoid interpreting the views and desires of web-enabled woodworkers as the view and desires of your entire market place?

If you consider the answer commercially confidential, feel free not too answer - I'm just curious (*).

BugBear

(*) Some people have expressed this in stronger terms ;-)

Re: Questions for Rob Lee

Rob Lee

>Paul/Greg -

Like most board participants - I get far more from the boards than I put in... that's the nature of all good boards - and this is one of the best.

Each board has a different "community" associated with it, and by reading/participating in several, one can get a much broader perspective.

Yes - the boards are small "universes" - but we try to listen to as many different market segments as we can - store customers, those we see at trade shows, and those that contact us by phone or mail. We have internal mechanisms for feeding back information/comments from every customer contact point...

The "character" of bulletin boards would probably make an interesting psychological study - as boards do seem to develop unique attributes - as is evidenced by the development of posting styles and conventions.... they even seen to develop preferences, not only for content, but for products, techniques, and advice... Almost as if the board "consensus" is slowly assimilated (and propagated) by the contributors...

Then again - what do I know.... Lyn's a pro in that field - maybe he can write a paper?? :)

The short answer is - I learn a lot on BB's, and much of what I experience anywhere can't help but influence what we do here...

Cheers -

Rob

Amen!

Bill Tindall, E. TN

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Re: Yerkes & Plumb

Jorge Casta�eda ~ East Penobscot Bay

>Yes, the eye is offset and it is flatter on that side.

Now I will make an offset handle for it as well, I did put in a straight one and it is also too short which adds to discomfort in use.

Thank you for the information

Jorge

Re: Yerkes & Plumb

Bob Nelson

>Yerkes & Plumb worked 1870-1887 when Plumb bought Yerkes out and changed the name to fayeatte R. Plumb. Haowever, PLumb continued to use aYerkes & Plumb as a baraqnd name ora such until 1900 or later. Bob

Thanks Bob!

Jorge Casta�eda ~ East Penobscot Bay

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