U.K. Axes

Big American Axes

Todd Hughes

>Here are a couple Big American axes i have of a type called a "Goose wing" axe. The largest one has a 14 in. cutting edge and is rather different in that it is a left handed axe,[bevel is on the left side].Even though made here they are a older Europeon type axe and most American ones were made in Penn. often by German or Pennsylvania "Dutch" Blacksmiths.The one on the right is a very rare axe that was made in Baltimore .These are hewing type axes with a single bevel edge like a chisel and are designed to shape wood not to chop it. Goose wing axes were pretty much obsolite her in America by the 1830's or so but them and other primitive type axes were made much later in Europe, esp on the continent.Imagine some are still being made.I see a good many axes that are being brought into the USA now from Europe and they can be hard to date but most are not as old as they look.I think many styles that look strange to us are made that way probably because they are tradtional local favorites more then because they are for a certain purpose.........Todd

Re: Elwell

paul womack

>... were a large a reputable manufacture. Pretty common over here in the UK, and they made pretty much every "heavy edge" tool the market would bear. Including axes in all the sizes and shapes.

I don't know of any distinctive English axe pattern that wasn't available and/or made in the USA, although Sheffield and Birmingham manufacturers were making axes of unusual patterns for use "around the world" (*)

BugBear

(*) Euphemism for the British Empire.

Iconagraphy ?

cooper suter

>Todd,

The arrangement in the pic looks like some of the holy water shrines I see in old Polish ladies houses around here.

I'm imagining the religion that'd be worshipped in your "shrine".

What do we have? A crucifix vase, some animal parts (horns of the beast?), two BIG axes, a couple of glazed animal icons, I figure the wood box on the right contains one of your former wives, your holy books, and I don't wanna imagine what's in the bottle.

Have you considered putting them all in a half buried claw-foot tub in the front yard? (That might be a regional thing, are bath-tub Maddona's popular in the east?)

Are your rust-hunting powers natural?

Have you been "down to the crossroads" to gain your abilities? (ala Robert Johnson)

Coop

My suspicion is...

Bob Hackett

>Todd owns the crossroads,and he didn`t pay much for it either.

Who do you suppose hosts those auctions where vehicles with animal skulls as hood ornaments are an accepted thing?I`m suprised there wasn`t at least one monkey skull in the photo.;^)

Mainely,Bob-Wondering where the Samurai outfits are kept.Must be a rather eclectic style at Todd`s abode.