Adzes

[Adena_man]

Here are pics of three flint adzes that I found last year. A lot of people around here would pass them up. I pick up every one that I can find. There are some that look rather roughed in with a decent bit. Then there are others that have really nice flaking. You can tell on some that you find that the maker really took his/her time with it. I guess some of the makers were more concerned with getting the right shape along with a good bit rather than making the tool symetrical and appealing to the eye. Maybe some of the other makers took a lot of pride in their work even though it was just a woodworking tool.

Thanks for looking.

Brian

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[Jazdo]

Like that larger speckled celt!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[Adena_man]

Brian is that a miniature collie? I think tose dogs are stuck in drive.

Shaft straightner for arrows?

Bruce

Hey Bruce! Yes. They are known as miniature collies, shelties, and shetland sheepdogs. I don't see where she gets the energy! She wants to play ball all the time. She's very intelligent, which sometimes gets her in trouble...

Hoping that you find a grooved axe. Wish I could find one!

Brian

 

[Adena_man]

Like that larger speckled celt!

Hey Jazdo! Thanks for posting! That celt is a handful. It is a little over 5 inches.

Good luck!

Brian

 

[Billco]

Adena Man (or anybody else who can answer), how can an adze be labled as such? is there something that uniquely differentiates these from other similar tools like scrapers?

Here's the closest thing that I've found (actually my wife picked it up) that fits as an adz. Its 2 1/2 inches long. and a little curved. I've found other things that might fit the definition, but I just labeled them scrapers.

 

[Adena_man]

Adena Man (or anybody else who can answer), how can an adze be labled as such? is there something that uniquely differentiates these from other similar tools like scrapers?

Here's the closest thing that I've found (actually my wife picked it up) that fits as an adz. Its 2 1/2 inches long. and a little curved. I've found other things that might fit the definition, but I just labeled them scrapers.

Hey Billco! Thanks for posting! The best way I can describe an adze is it was a woodworking tool; basically a small axe. The bit is offset. If you look at a celt from the bit end, you will notice that the bit is centered. If you look at the bit end of an adze, you will notice that the bit is off-center. I have a couple of pics of the bits. They curve and are off-set. Some curve and off-set more than others.

Hope this helps. Maybe someone else can give a better description than I can.

Good luck!

Brian

 

[patina]

I'll give it a try. I'm not a big stone man, mostly study copper. After finding this "Cache of Adzes" last year I've learned more about them. From what I've been told the difference between an Adze & Celt is where the bit is located. Adzes have a flat bottom side that meets the sloping top edge to form a bit. A Celt has a double slope top & bottom to form the centered bit, which looks symmetrical in appearance. A Celt is hafted to be used as an axe, a Adze is hafted more like a hoe in motion. The biggest one out of this Cache is said to be a Gouge with cupping. The other three have flat bottoms with no cupping on the bottom side which make them fall in the Adze category. I know it may sound confusing between Celts, Adzes & Gouges. They are all very similar with minor variations. The major difference is how they were hafted & used....Patina

 

[Billco]

Thanks to the both of you for the explanations and the pictures. As I get time, I'll pull some of my stuff that I've found and compare it to the pictures that you have posted.

 

[Adena_man]

I'll give it a try. I'm not a big stone man, mostly study copper. After finding this "Cache of Adzes" last year I've learned more about them. From what I've been told the difference between an Adze & Celt is where the bit is located. Adzes have a flat bottom side that meets the sloping top edge to form a bit. A Celt has a double slope top & bottom to form the centered bit, which looks symmetrical in appearance. A Celt is hafted to be used as an axe, a Adze is hafted more like a hoe in motion. The biggest one out of this Cache is said to be a Gouge with cupping. The other three have flat bottoms with no cupping on the bottom side which make them fall in the Adze category. I know it may sound confusing between Celts, Adzes & Gouges. They are all very similar with minor variations. The major difference is how they were hafted & used....Patina

WOW! Incredible finds! They'd probably have to carry me out to the car if I found something like that! Thanks for posting the pics and for helping out with the explanation.

Good luck!

Brian

 

[Adena_man]

Thanks to the both of you for the explanations and the pictures. As I get time, I'll pull some of my stuff that I've found and compare it to the pictures that you have posted.

Hey Billco! No problem at all. Hopefully Patina and I helped you out with the explanation. Definitely post some pics when you get your artifacts out!

Good luck!

Brian

 

[patina]

Nice post, Great finds guys!!! Not to often does the topic of Adzes come up compared to arrowheads. Hopefully someone can stop on in & share some more of these through photos. It's a great subject that needed to be addressed as there is a lot of confusion between each. I really didn't know anything about an adze until I found the cache, while scooping up a ram rod holder, detecting in water. More pictures would offer more visual information to help identify each. There is most likely more variations. Thanks for the pics so far everyone. Great input...Patina