Anyone know anything about my new/old axe?

[Kim]

Hi,

my dad's just given me a really cool axe. The main body has been cast out of one piece of very heavy metal (that has darkend with age) which is about as long as my forearm (average sized female). The handle is comprised of two pieces of wood sandwiched to either side of it. The head is an axe on one edge, but is formed into a hammer head on the other (not modern type, just cylindrical and flattened). The very top of the axe/hammer head goes off into two prongs which curve outwards, like something you pull nails out with. There is a seal on it that says Swordfishbrand - made in China. I'm not sure how old it is, but it's very solid. Anyone know what one of these things is called, or indeed anything about such a tool? :?:

Many thanks.

 

[Gary]

Do you mean a edge on one side of the blade only?

Sounds like a carpenters axe of some description although I am only guessing without seeing it.

 

[Kim]

Yep, blade head on one side, hammer head on opposite side.

Cheers Gary.

 

[Gary]

Oh you mean like a tomahawk! :roll:

 

[Kim]

YES! THAT'S IT, like a tomahawk, only you can pull nails out with this one!!!

 

[Gary]

Ya I know the one - Sorry mate, not the best axes in the world - but a good starter at least, you can dink it and practice until you get a better one! Just be very careful when using it ok! :shock:

 

[bushwacker bob]

its a roofers axe, or drywall axe. plasterers use dry wall axes for stripping both lathe and plaster and plasterboards and re-nailing. Roofers use them to strip and replace battens. Estwing make the only ones currently on UK market,that I know of.

 

[Kim]

Cheers all,

:You_Rock_

I won't be using it much as I've a new axe on the way. I'm getting some help from a reliable chap on how to avoid chopping off limbs - I'm a deeply sensible person and generally uptight about safety (annoyingly so) so don't panic.

Accidents happen but I intend to avoid them at all costs!

It's just nice to have something that feels like it's got a bit of history to it.

Thank you!

 

[ChrisKavanaugh]

Sounds like a roofer's hatchet. There is also a cheap Chinese tool made up for assembling/ breaking down packing crates. It has a hatchet/hammer head with an extended prybar and a teardrop eye for pulling nails. Retailers over here marketed them as some sort of urban survival tool during natural disasters. Recent variations are made of exotic steel with paracord handles, rediculous prices and photospreads of SWAT units smashing through physical barriers with the subliminal message this is how the world solves problems. People used to knock first

 

[Kim]

Sounds like a roofer's hatchet. It has a hatchet/hammer head with an extended prybar and a teardrop eye for pulling nails.

I think you've hit the nail right on the head there Chris...sorry, no pun intended. It's the teardrop eye thing...yep, there it is, just in the centre there, perfect match.

Thanks for that, you useful chap you. :biggthump

 

[OldJimbo]

Like this?

 

[Kim]

Yep, that's the one, cept the hammer head on mine is less formed, just older I think.

Thanks loads for everyone's help.

 

[TAHAWK]

Available for $4.99 on this side of the pond. Cast axe heads range from excellent (especially in quality Victorian era products ["Cast Steel"]) to 'orrible enough to fall to pieces in use from casting flaws. Take care.

 

[Kim]

Thanks TAHAWK, I've given it to our Props Master/Armourer at work, and he's well clued up on it! He took one look at it and wouldn't let it go...

Cheers all.