"Rafting Axe"

Java_Dude · May 26, 2017

Just wondering if anybody here has any experience with or ever seen one of these before? It is an infamous 3/12lb "M" marked axe but with a rafting poll/eye and bevels.

phantomknives · May 26, 2017

looks almost like a home job with the ears and facets, maybe started out as some kind of connie. BTW those are norlund style bevels, doesnt mean its a norlund though

junkenstien · May 26, 2017

Is the poll hardened?

Java_Dude · May 26, 2017

junkenstien said:
Is the poll hardened?

I am not sure as the seller didn't disclose that information. It appears to have thicker eye walls and slightly extended poll with bevels though.

Java_Dude · May 26, 2017

phantomknives said:
looks almost like a home job with the ears and facets, maybe started out as some kind of connie. BTW those are norlund style bevels, doesnt mean its a norlund though

The Norlund type bevels would fall in line with my thinking that the "M" axes were manufactured by Mann for other companies as well as Mann manufacturing for Norlund.

http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Norlund Co..html

jblyttle · May 26, 2017

phantomknives said:
looks almost like a home job with the ears and facets, maybe started out as some kind of connie. BTW those are norlund style bevels, doesnt mean its a norlund though

This may or may not be hardened, not a rafting pattern, but that is a factory head. The bevels are symmetrical and the stamp is centered on the poll so nothing was cut.

Java_Dude · May 26, 2017

Java_Dude said:
The Norlund type bevels would fall in line with my thinking that the "M" axes were manufactured by Mann for other companies as well as Mann manufacturing for Norlund.

http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Norlund Co..html

jblyttle said:
This may or may not be hardened, not a rafting pattern, but that is a factory head. The bevels are symmetrical and the stamp is centered on the poll so nothing was cut.

I agree it looks original. I'll just have to run a file across it when I get it to find out if the poll is hardened or not. Not sure about the edge either except that a couple of people on here mentioned that the "M" heads they had were good steel.

300Six · May 26, 2017

Hardened poll axes were much more common at one time (1930s +/-) to demanding and wholly appreciative buyers that specifically sought versatility and durability but increasingly these 'greater expense' items became exclusive to commercial concerns such as forestry, mining and construction. Judging by the eye wall thickness of your axe and the height of the poll you may well have one of these. Running a file over the poll (does it skate)? or soaking it in vinegar will confirm whether it's hardened or not.
If so, as a carefully and thoughtfully refurbished 'user' there will no modern axe out there that can 'hold a candle' to the ruggedness and utility of it. And by gosh it remains 'ordinary looking'.
Clean 'er up and put 'er back to work!

Agent_H · May 26, 2017

M4 Construction/Rafting

M5

Norlund (Mann?) with bevels and difference in poll coloring.

Your Jersey could be hardened – test it out with good file. The sketch outlines here show the log splitter as having beveled edges on the poll.

The M4 and the Norlund also have the same wedging system when seen from the top down.

Java_Dude · May 26, 2017

300Six said:
Hardened poll axes were much more common at one time (1930s +/-) to demanding and wholly appreciative buyers that specifically sought versatility and durability but increasingly these 'greater expense' items became exclusive to commercial concerns such as forestry, mining and construction. Judging by the eye wall thickness of your axe and the height of the poll you may well have one of these. Running a file over the poll (does it skate)? or soaking it in vinegar will confirm whether it's hardened or not.
If so, as a carefully and thoughtfully refurbished 'user' there will no modern axe out there that can 'hold a candle' to the ruggedness and utility of it. And by gosh it remains 'ordinary looking'.
Clean 'er up and put 'er back to work!

The eye wall thickness and beveled poll made me think it could be for pounding. Otherwise, it would just be over built for no reason. I will take the file to her when she get's here to find out.

Java_Dude · May 26, 2017

Agent_H said:
M4 Construction/Rafting

M5

Norlund (Mann?) with bevels and difference in poll coloring.

Your Jersey could be hardened – test it out with good file. The sketch outlines here show the log splitter as having beveled edges on the poll.

The M4 and the Norlund also have the same wedging system when seen from the top down.

Thanks for the comps. BTW, I have only read a little feedback on the "M" axe's steel stating that it is good steel. How does your's take and hold an edge? Thanks!

Agent_H · May 26, 2017

Java_Dude said:
Thanks for the comps. BTW, I have only read a little feedback on the "M" axe's steel stating that it is good steel. How does your's take and hold an edge? Thanks!

I've only sharpened the M5 and it feels an awful lot like the steel on the Collins pattern that I use as much as I can.

M5 after sharpening

The Collins' edge held up to splitting last summer and some smaller work this year without damage - if that helps.

It is beefy and does a good job of parting stuff but it lacks the refinement of their finer Plumb counterparts.

Java_Dude · May 26, 2017

Thanks! I have seen several Collins labeled "M" marked axes so that makes since.

junkenstien · May 27, 2017

Only have one marked m 31/2 with a circle around it ,flat cheeks and very hard steel holds an edge only good for limping gets stuck chopping

junkenstien · May 27, 2017

Woops,should be a b where the p is

Agent_H · May 27, 2017

junkenstien said:
Woops,should be a b where the p is

New forum post edit on PC:

New forum post edit mobile:

Java_Dude · May 27, 2017

junkenstien said:
Only have one marked m 31/2 with a circle around it ,flat cheeks and very hard steel holds an edge only good for limbing gets stuck chopping

Glad to here it holds a good edge. Thanks for the information!

junkenstien · May 29, 2017

Don't know what to think now,I found a m31/2 at work yesterday thats different than the one I have then I look on the Bay this morning and see a plumb with similar markings.collins ,woodings verona,plumb don't think will ever know for sure

Square_peg · May 29, 2017

The eye walls sure suggest that this axe's poll was made for using. It's a great find and with a proper tune-up will likely become your favorite user.

Ugaldie · May 31, 2017

Steve Tall said:
Looking at the various axe head patterns that were posted today, I saw one ("rafting") that matched an axe I have with a hardened poll. This solves a mystery for me.

"rafting axe: a single bit axe with a short handle and a heavy, extended poll (sometimes with tapered corners resulting in an eight-sided poll) suitable for driving and striking and especially adapted for use on logging rafts."
"raft: a group of logs secured together with chains or cables so they can be floated as a comparatively single unit."
--from YesteryearsTools Glossary http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Glossary: Axes, Edge Tools, etc..html
...

I'm sorry Steve, but taking in account polless axes have been used for rafting through centuries at least in west Pyrenees (I think they have been used in all Iberian pelinsula and Southern France too) that definition has to be changed.