What did you rehang today?

I finally completed rehanging this TT TOMAHAWK after several weeks of ownership. I guess you'd have to call it cross-wedged, but I didn't do it in the usual way. This is how it looked after I pulled the wedges:

So I filled the crack with a piece of wood salvaged from a discarded haft:


And trimmed out the center:

Then I refitted the haft by dropping it down on the shoulder as much as I dared. I cut a new wedge at approximately 5 degrees, coated everything with Swel-Lock, and drove the wedge home.

Here it is next to it's big brother, a TT TOMMY AXE:

The TOMMY AXE appears to have its original haft, hung at the factory.


The TOMAHAWK still needs some BLO and a fair amount of file work. I love the haft, even though I don't think it's original, and was determined to save it. I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there who could have done a better job in much less time, but I'm quite pleased with the results. Thanks for watching. T-A

 

Connie Flint Edge
And True Temper hatchet

 

I think that haft is the original one as I've never seen an off-the-shelf hatchet handle that looked like that. I could easily be wrong, though.

 

I can't say it's not original, but it's not marked. The haft on the TOMMY AXE is clearly marked, strongly supporting the argument that it is original. Either way, I'm sure the TOMAHAWK haft is old, and I knew I wanted to save it if I could. Thanks for your input. T-A

 

Is anyone familiar with Fulton handles? I’m having trouble finding info

 

Rebranded for Sears maybe.

 

From what I have read, the original TT TOMAHAWK haft was faceted, having eight sides for several inches below the head. Notice my TT TOMMYAXE has the same eight-sided shape.


My TOMAHAWK has a haft with the proper curve but is not eight-sided. Since last I posted, I have applied four or five coats of BLO and filed the edge.



Now it's easier to see how tight the haft fits and how the wedging looks with BLO. I think my haft is vintage but likely a replacement, that is, unless TT did not consistently use the faceted haft throughout production of the TOMAHAWK.
So far I've used it to chop through two 3-4 inch oak limbs without seeing any movement between the head and the haft. So far, so good! BTW, I intentionally ground a less than perfect edge in favor of conserving metal. Those last few tiny nicks will disappear with future sharpening.
Thanks for watching.T-A

 

IMG_20200917_135326 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20200917_135335 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20200917_135344 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20200917_135340 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20200917_135352 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr
IMG_20200917_135348 by Justin Lyttle, on Flickr

 

Beautiful TOMMY, nice tight hang! I think I recall reading that TT released a trio, including the TOMAHAWK, the TOMMY AXE, and a third one, but I can't remember what the third one was. Do you know? Do you have one?? T-A

 

I don't recall...

 

You may be thinking of the Dynamic True Temper

I need to stumble across the TOMAHAWK to complete my trio

 

Same here, where do we find those?? Maybe you could just grab two?

 

DYNAMIC sounds familiar, and the shape, with the convexly-curved topline, sure makes it look like a first cousin to the TOMAHAWK and the TOMMYAXE. That got me rummaging through draws where I found this little moderately abused hatchet.






No. TPB. It has a similar profile to the DYNAMIC, but it has the waffle-faced pommel and TWO nail pull notches. Now I need to find a DYNAMIC that I can afford. Thanks to all for the input. T-A

 

Bob

 

Wow! I might be the only one on my block with one of those! Funny that the top line of mine has a more pronounced convex curve than the one in the catalog image. Thanks for the info. T-A

 

True Temper Flint Edge House Axe

2¾lbs total
17¼"
3⅞" Bit
Beautifully aged and weathered handle, rehung

 

Yes it's the Dynamic. A nail notch hatchet, smooth poll.

 

Got this 4 pound Belknap Bluegrass axe a couple months back from a indoor flea market. I removed it from the handle it was on, cleaned up the rust and hung it on a store bought handle I got for a good buy. I’ve bought about 6 handles from them and am satisfied with the quality and price. Very nice grain on this one. Finished with BLO




4 pound marking in upper left





interesting marking underneath the eye which looks to be F.O. Does anyone know what that means??

This axe is a tank. I am having some trouble with it getting stuck if I don’t angle the chop enough though. It has a real thin bit but tapers thick.

 

3½lb
Michigan Pattern
Beautifully Pitted
Traffic Stopping Bevels

4½lbs Total
33" Long
4⅝" Bit

Collins Axe paper label Commander is my guess. Lewistown Pa.

Rehung on the handle it came to me with

 

^^^^
That’s a looker for sure!