Rig Axe

rjdankert said:
FWIW:

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car builders hatchet: hatchets that were made with basically the same head as a rig builders hatchet but were fitted with a regular length handle. They were originally made for use in constructing wooden railroad box cars and later adopted for use in constructing crates and for concrete form work.

rigging hatchet: Originally used when building wooden oil rigs, the rigging hatchet was heavier, had a checkered face and an 18 inch long handle. The longer handle was shaped like a curved axe handle that permitted it to be used with either a “chocked” grip or full length for maximum reach and striking force. The style was adopted for use in heavy construction. (also: Rigster hatchet, rigger’s hatchet.)
Rigster hatchet: (slang) a term used by some tradesmen when referring to a rig builders hatchet. (see: rigging hatchet)
http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Glossary: Axes, Edge Tools, etc..html


Bob
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I wonder if hatchet vs axe is a regional thing? Both terms are probably correct.
 
Strictly from an etymological standpoint, "hatchet" is a diminutive of "axe". So a hatchet is a small axe, typically of a size suitable for one-handed use. So either term is correct descriptively and in informal usage at a minimum. Regarding formal terms one would need to compare against industry catalogs in an attempt to find examples of each, and that I can't answer off the top of my head.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Strictly from an etymological standpoint, "hatchet" is a diminutive of "axe". So a hatchet is a small axe, typically of a size suitable for one-handed use. So either term is correct descriptively and in informal usage at a minimum. Regarding formal terms one would need to compare against industry catalogs in an attempt to find examples of each, and that I can't answer off the top of my head.
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I believe that Rigging Hatchet is the most common term in the industry. But in the nomenclature used on job sites it's always "Rigging Axe". At least that has been my experience, so much so that " Rigging Hatchet" sounds strange. It should probably be noted that construction workers can butcher the English language but it's also how slang finds it's way in dictionary's.

FYI, It seems that Link handles are the only source I have come across for correct replacement handles. House doesn't do it right. Maybe there are others that do? Don't even bother with an ash haft should you come across one, it won't last half as long as hickory on these axes.
 
catspa said:
Garry, the Bastler poll is smaller than my 28, which protrudes beyond the “spine” by at least 1/8”. Be interesting to know the accurate weight of it. Also, maybe the lug is a little rounder. My 22 has the “octagonal” poll, which I considered older, which squares with Bob’s 1940 catalog page.

I believe they once made a 24 oz version as well.

Parker
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I think you are referring to the neck. I never noticed that change but you are correct.




I kind of flipped out a little over the new design when I went to buy a new one. But most of the changes seem to be for the better. The collar makes a more secure haft connection and prevents the handle from being chipped out from over strikes, one of the leading causes of short handle life. The poll size and distance from the haft remained the same. I can't tell any difference in use. The nail notch is more refined and better than their old one. The rounding of the toe does nothing for me and the one for sure negative.
They also changed the eye size. Not sure how this will work out when I go to hanging a hew haft.


 
garry3 said:
FYI, It seems that Link handles are the only source I have come across for correct replacement handles. House doesn't do it right. Maybe there are others that do? Don't even bother with an ash haft should you come across one, it won't last half as long as hickory on these axes.
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V&B handles, it's been awhile but I think the sticker said V&B select or something.
Vaughan & Bushnell has their own handle plant, and they know how to make a good hammer handle as well as they know how to make a good hammer.
Like everything else they used to be slimmer and nicer, but they're much less of a club than a LINK.
Sadly for me my nearest OSH which had a large selection of V&B handles is no more and the ACE it was replaced with has a piss poor handle selection.
Same with my small local hardware ( ACE affiliated) and the one in the next town over is only a tad better, but " we can order it for you ".
Yeah I can just order it myself , get it faster, and spend less.
I support the place whenever I can because it right there when I need it ASAP, but if I've gotta wait I won't be doing it through them.
 
My Vaughan rigging axe. I've been using it for about 8 years now on construction and demo projects.

The weight of the head drives nails nicely. But just as importantly, it breaks stuff very well. I brought it to a buddy's house while doing demo in his basement and this was dubbed "the persuader." If we needed more than this, it was time to break out the sledge. The nice thing is not only the blunt force of striking with the face, but also that if one needs to create an opening, you strike that spot with the blade ad it can pop things apart with a bit of point pressure.

I have never use it camping, but see no reason it shouldn't be good with tent stakes, or using the notch to pull pots off the fire as H&S pointed out above.
IMG_8464.jpeg



Edit to add: The BK2 didn't end up getting used that day. I had brought it in case i needed a "sharpened prybar," but regular prybars worked better!
 
1954 True Temper catalog simply calls it a "Rig Builder" under their "Hatchets" section.

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Plumb's 1970 catalog describes theirs as a "Rigster Hatchet". I'd say that unless some other catalog turns up in which it's called an "axe" then the industry classification was squarely as a "hatchet" and uses of "rigger's axe" as a term are probably colloquial rather than industry vernacular, much like we see with bush hooks and their many colloquial names.

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Don't think this solid fiberglass core handle that is epoxied into the head is in much danger of breaking from pulling nails. Head found one day on a bike ride.
It has seen a lot of use, the waffled hammerhead/poll is worn nearly smooth. The scuffs on the shaft of the handle are from pulling cable dog tie outs that were fastened to a big nail/spike. Drive them in the earth, rocky or not it didn't matter. Sometimes they were tough to pull up. Used them a lot when I was showing dogs.

Rides in the truck full time. I love this tool. It's rough and tumble.


Vaughn (2).jpgVaughn2 (2).jpg
 
Hickory n steel said:
V&B handles, it's been awhile but I think the sticker said V&B select or something.
Vaughan & Bushnell has their own handle plant, and they know how to make a good hammer handle as well as they know how to make a good hammer.
Like everything else they used to be slimmer and nicer, but they're much less of a club than a LINK.
Sadly for me my nearest OSH which had a large selection of V&B handles is no more and the ACE it was replaced with has a piss poor handle selection.
Same with my small local hardware ( ACE affiliated) and the one in the next town over is only a tad better, but " we can order it for you ".
Yeah I can just order it myself , get it faster, and spend less.
I support the place whenever I can because it right there when I need it ASAP, but if I've gotta wait I won't be doing it through them.
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That's interesting because my replacement handles have been slimmer than the factory Vaughan. It's been a few years since I purchased one though. They still look correct here.

Rig Builder's (Rigster) Hatchet Handles

Rig Builder's (Rigster) Hatchet Handles
link.seymourmidwest.com link.seymourmidwest.com

I can't imagine $30 for a hatchet handle though.

It's becoming increasingly difficult to find a handle locally. Insane actually. A local lumber yard told me that they don't carry manny handles because people just buy a new hammer when they break handles.
A dying breed we are.
 
garry3 said:
It's becoming increasingly difficult to find a handle locally. Insane actually. A local lumber yard told me that they don't carry manny handles because people just buy a new hammer when they break handles.
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I agree, Garry, and it’s not just recently. 10 years back or so, far from home, my coworker’s cracked framer handle gave up the ghost. The next day at the lumberyard I looked for a replacement, they had 2 that would fit but had poor grain orientation and huge runout. I asked the salesman (who was selling us a material order over 2500 bucks) any idea when you’ll get more of those in? He said, “about 6 weeks after we sell those.”

If you have a friend at the lumberyard, get him to notify you of any new stock so you can look them over first. Otherwise you’ll be stuck with the dregs.

Come to think of it, that’s a good idea for trim wood too. And framing lumber. And pressure treated plywood. And nails and screws and roofing…

Parker
 
garry3 said:
That's interesting because my replacement handles have been slimmer than the factory Vaughan. It's been a few years since I purchased one though.
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I just purchased a link riggers axe handle today and it was a fat club of a handle, every link handle I've had was fatter than a V&B.
The worst part is that it was $20 at the local hardware store.
Probably 6 years ago they were about $6.50 for handles, then before I knew it they were $14.99, and now $19.99.

I had my riggers axe strapped to the rack on my bt200x mini bike and lost it out trail hopping a few months back, it was recovered though and kind of left in the shed where I found it the other day in need of a new handle at that point.


I probably should have taken a before pic ( the head, and the new handle ), but it was at least 1/8" fatter all the way around.
I had to take quite a bit off, it doesn't show up well but I went octagonal with it.
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Get a fiberglass core handle like I did and never wonder when you're going to need a replacement. Not pretty or cool but there's something to be said for tough long lasting things.
 
Boattale said:
Get a fiberglass core handle like I did and never wonder when you're going to need a replacement. Not pretty or cool but there's something to be said for tough long lasting things.
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I personally don't like synthetic / fiberglass handles.
They don't absorb shock as well, the rubber grips blister my hands, and I cannot reprofile it if I want to slim it down some.
 
Better too fat than too thin. You can take wood off with very little effort and it gives you more leeway in how you choose to tune it up.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I personally don't like synthetic / fiberglass handles.
They don't absorb shock as well, the rubber grips blister my hands, and I cannot reprofile it if I want to slim it down some.
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We agree on the part about you can't reprofile it.
 
Hickory n steel said:
…octagonal…
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I see your octagonal, mister, and I’m liking it. I had a spell a few years back when I half-octagoned a sheet metal planishing hammer, and liked the feel so much I did it to almost every hammer and hatchet I use regularly. It’s very subjective though, now anybody who uses a hammer of mine says “this hammer feels weird.”

Seems kinda old-timey, like a half octagon barrel on a lever action rifle.

Parker
 
catspa said:
I see your octagonal, mister, and I’m liking it. I had a spell a few years back when I half-octagoned a sheet metal planishing hammer, and liked the feel so much I did it to almost every hammer and hatchet I use regularly. It’s very subjective though, now anybody who uses a hammer of mine says “this hammer feels weird.”

Seems kinda old-timey, like a half octagon barrel on a lever action rifle.

Parker
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I really like octagonal handles and will octagon just about every hammer handle if it's one I gotta slim down, if I'm already working on it then why not.

The local hardware actually has a nice link octagonal that's really been tempting me, standard adze eye 16oz claw hammer I think it is.
I think I just might grab it in case I wind up with another Vaghan #99 and it happens to be only the head.
I already have 2 and don't need another, but knowing how much of a thing I have for the Vaughan 9 series rip claws I just know I'm likely to acquire another one.
 
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