I just can across this interesting axe. Can anyone help me figure out more about it?

G

GIJake

Joined
Sep 15, 2015
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I'm normally pretty good at just googling and figuring this kind of stuff out for myself, but I can't find much reliable info on this axe... The only info I can find is the couple of others somewhat like this that are selling on Ebay... and some of the stuff that the sellers are saying about it I don't believe.. Here is what's happened so far... I had been looking for a good bushcraft/woodworking axe/hatchet for a few months now, but have been disheartened at the price.. I decided to by a cheapie at home depot and grind it down the way I want.. (So I could at least make it look cool) Well, I buy the cheapie, get back to my grans property to work on a deer stand, and what do I find in the tool shed while looking for shears... This thing...

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As you can see... the only imprints are, the brand... True Temper ----No. T C---- "ROCK ISLAND LINE"

I found about 3 different True Tempers for sale like this on ebay, none have much info.. They around going from 75-200 bucks on there..

I found only one True Temper head like mine that said "ROCK ISLAND LINE" for sale, and it was soooo badly rusted that you couldn't read TRUE TEMPER, all you could read was "Rock island line", and the seller was claiming that it was an ancient rail road hatchet.. and was selling it for an outrageous amount..

I'm not so sure if it's that old, but maybe I'm wrong.. Alot of people I ask have said that it's related to the railroad..

BUT, I don't know if there is a connection, but you know there is an old folk song called Rock Island Line, where the lyrics talk about arkansas, axes and choppin and all that good stuff.. (I am from arkansas btw).. So anyway, the more I try to figure out what's up with this hatchet, the more interested I become.. I don't really care if it's worth anything or not, I just want to figure it out!! Thanks for any help!!

Jake
 
True Temper tells me it is more than likly a Kelly. I believe that the pattern is a broad hatchet. Not specific to the railroad though that was likley the last major use of broad axes in America that folks remember. They used them to hew the railroad ties. This one I believe would be more for woodworking. I'm no expert so I'm sure someone else with much more knowledge will come along to help sort you out. Nice hatchet BTW!
 
That is a great tool. Nice shape, nice name, very versatile. I would say not a Kelly though.
 
There is no mystery here. It is a common claw-hatchet which was sold by almost all major brands and hardware stores for a century or more. Every railroad in the USA bought tools and stamped their name in them too and there are lots of them laying around.

So you have a TrueTemper hatchet that was bought by a railroad. The tool is easy to find in any old tool catalog and information on the Rock Island railroad is as easy to find as falling off a log.
 
That broad hatchet is almost perfect condition. I don't think you intend to, but just in case, please don't modify it as a bushcrafting, etc., axe!!!

I believe Kelly made all True Temper axes before the trademarks were sold to Ames; am I mistaken?
 
left handed. hung for a left handed user. for left hand use.
do not grind a bevel on the other side. this axe is a hewing hatchet for removing wood to make a cant.
if you are a right hand user , you might try to remove the handle and rehang in the other end of the eye.
nice tool
buzz
 
markv said:
left handed. hung for a left handed user. for left hand use.
do not grind a bevel on the other side. this axe is a hewing hatchet for removing wood to make a cant.
if you are a right hand user , you might try to remove the handle and rehang in the other end of the eye.
nice tool
buzz
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This may be true, but I think that this is not yet in evidence. The bevel shown sure looks that way though. The only reason that I even question this is that most of that particular style that I have seen have two bevels, and we have not seen the other side clearly or a top down view. From what I see it seems to be symmetrical to my eye. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks.

I'm curious, GIJake could you post a pic or let us know for sure?
 
you guys are most likely correct.
i think i have an example like what is pictured in the shop but can't say for sure.
if i remember, it is beveled on both sides????
maybe i'll find it tomorrow
 
GIJake said:
I.... I had been looking for a good bushcraft/woodworking axe/hatchet for a few months now, but have been disheartened at the price.. I decided to by a cheapie at home depot and grind it down the way I want.. (So I could at least make it look cool) Well, I buy the cheapie, get back to my grans property to work on a deer stand, and what do I find in the tool shed while looking for shears... This thing...

02.jpeg
Click to expand...


gben said:
There is no mystery here. It is a common claw-hatchet which was sold by almost all major brands and hardware stores for a century or more. Every railroad in the USA bought tools and stamped their name in them too and there are lots of them laying around.

So you have a TrueTemper hatchet that was bought by a railroad. The tool is easy to find in any old tool catalog and information on the Rock Island railroad is as easy to find as falling off a log.
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Gben has it exactly right. Common claw hatchet. Congratulations! You just found that perfect bushcraft/woodworking axe/hatchet you were looking for. A True Temper claw hatchet like this is my current favorite for camping and bushcraft. Super versatile with the hardened poll and claw. These always came double bevelled not single bevelled like a broad hatchet.

I've found they perform better with a bit longer handle on them. Try a riggers axe handle.
 
Square_peg said:
Gben has it exactly right. Common claw hatchet. Congratulations! You just found that perfect bushcraft/woodworking axe/hatchet you were looking for. A True Temper claw hatchet like this is my current favorite for camping and bushcraft. Super versatile with the hardened poll and claw. These always came double bevelled not single bevelled like a broad hatchet.

I've found they perform better with a bit longer handle on them. Try a riggers axe handle.
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Agreed on all counts, but can you confirm that the poll is hardened? I have no evidence to the contrary, I just always thought that tools made for striking nails primarily- like claw hammers- were not hardened. It would be welcome good news to learn otherwise.
 
I have one in very near mint, a quick vinegar soak showed temper lines on the edge and poll/claw. I can try to get a picture up tomorrow if interested.
 
jblyttle said:
Agreed on all counts, but can you confirm that the poll is hardened? I have no evidence to the contrary, I just always thought that tools made for striking nails primarily- like claw hammers- were not hardened. It would be welcome good news to learn otherwise.
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Claw hammer faces are hardened (cheapy imports aren't so good......). My claw hatchet poll is hardened. I can't say anything definitive about GIJake's claw hatchet but I'd give you odds that the poll is hardened.

One thing you'll often see with claw hatchets is a cracked claw. That can only happen if it's been hardened and most likely abused.

Also, it could be that in hardening the face of the claw hatchet that they over harden the claw. A claw should actually be a little softer than a hammer face. As a precaution to protect the claw you could sand it to bare metal so that you could see the temper colors run and then heat it with a torch until a purple color appears.
 
Square_peg said:
One thing you'll often see with claw hatchets is a cracked claw. That can only happen if it's been hardened and most likely abused.
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Or cast. Can you believe they sell those? Who buys a brand new $3 hammer?

I love that style. I have a hatchet that I use for carving and so have let a couple of others in this style move on. The last one was very nice and the head was a 2 pounder. I regret selling it, the next one is staying. Also, I hung a carpenter's hatchet head on an 18" riggers handle and though that it was awesome. Recommended.
 
Square_peg said:
Yes, please post pics if you can.
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Will do, I found it without a haft and after a soak it shows that the poll and claw are hardened. More of a quench line than a temper line I reckon. It's been sitting in my shop windowsill whining for attention. I'll get it posted tomorrow.
 
It almost looks like the portion where the claw meets the poll could be tempered or kept from the quench. It's definitely lighter in that area and would make sense to have that spot less brittle.


Whoever R.S. was wanted people to know that was his.
 
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With the double beveled edge, these should make pretty good camp axes. The claw is handy pulling tent stakes, for which I usually carry a $3 hammer :) in my car camping box.
 
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