Axe ident help

[Blundstoned Love]

Hi

I bought a little axe earlier in the summer at a car boot and would welcome any ideas as to what it actually is.

It's painted green, which I guess suggest the military.

It has a heart shaped hole in the blade, which I suppose might be something to do with extracting nails or bending wire (again military?)

The handle is not original, but there is a hole on one side only, where the handle goes through, which to me suggests a removable handle (once again military?)

I'm not a full member so I can't post a pic, but if you follow this link it's included in my latest blog post - once there double click on the photo to enlarge.

All suggestions gratefully recieved - and thanks in advance

http://gardeningboots.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/axe-a-lotl/

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Thanks to everyone who's already been across for a look.

There was one other thing I was going to ask.

The handle feels too short and I was thinking of replacing it - is there any kind of formula about length of handle i.e. head weight to shaft length ratio, to give best results?

 

[Mesquite]

Interesting axe, not seen one with a heart shaped cut out before.

Hard to tell exactly what it is without a close up picture of the head itself.

I'm not a full member so I can't post a pic, but if you follow this link it's included in my latest blog post - once there double click on the photo to enlarge.

Now that you've got 10 posts under your belt you ought to be fine posting pictures direct on the forum.

It's not a privilege restricted to just full members

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Thanks.

Need to study how to upload here then.

In the meantime I've stuck a close up on my blg here if that helps.

http://gardeningboots.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/axe-close-up/

 

[bob_the_baker]

Think i found it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/All-One-Tool-38cm-Converts-Shovel-Hammer-Hatchet-Axe-Saw-Military-Survival-/121025543053#vi-content

 

[laro13]

Think i found it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/All-One-T...aw-Military-Survival-/121025543053#vi-content

Aah!! I thought I have seen that shape before.
It looks far better with the wooden handle.

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Thanks Bob, I really appreciate you tracking it down.

It's really nasty isn't it?

I'm still not clear what the hole is for.

I wonder what the design provenance is, because it says military, but gives no clue to its origin and the eBay one looks like a recent take on an older pattern.

I agree with Laro that the wooden handle looks better - but my problem is it doesn't work very well. The handle is too short, and on reflection to heavy - and obviously axes need to be top heavy. A reckon a new ash handle is the answer. How to attach to might be more of a challenge. The existing set up has a brass screw holding it in. And of course when brass and steel meet under force we know what's going to sheer.

Of course I could just buy a decent hatchet, but where would be the fun in that?

 

[david1]

your axe picture shows a very small screw holding on the head, it might even be a soft brass screw too.
just a thought you might want to change that or that axe head will be jumping off the handle just when you dont want it too

all the best

 

[Blundstoned Love]

That was one of the first things that occurred to me when I bought it David:

http://gardeningboots.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/boot-sale-booty/

What makes me wonder though, is that someone smart enough to carve a decent wooden handle would then attach it in that dodgy way - not the same person I reckon.

 

[david1]

cool . I just thought it best to say. LOL

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Good advice is always worth being reminded of mate.