axe, adze?

[COUNTRY GIRL]

If this is what they used to hand hew a beam, somebody had to lose a leg or two.

 

[DirtyMike]

I have seen these used on some wood working specials from time to time. Showing ways of how it was done years ago and I thought the same thing. One slip and there goes the shin.

 

[IronSpike]

Yep that's an adze Great find Very neat also with the original handle.

 

[wolcottdigger]

Maybe a Mattocks for digging.

 

[truckinbutch]

Adze . And , yep they are very dangerous if not used with caution . I've had some close calls using mine .

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Thanks Folks! Can't believe they just threw this out to go to the dump, glad we saved another piece of History.

Digger, close but it would be missing the narrow edge if so. It was well used for hammering? but I don't believe it's broken.

Butch, Goodness be careful! I'd love to see what you have done with an Adze, got pictures?

Ironspike, The handle is what really peaked my interest when the Hubby brought it home.

Thanks again!

 

[daddy0011]

You have to remember that these came from a time when you had to be careful and use your own brain to keep from getting hurt. You know pre-litigation and odiot proofing. J.K.

 

[Newt]

I think it had a pick on that opposite end.
Newt

 

[truckinbutch]

I think it had a pick on that opposite end.
Newt

Nuhuh . Look up hewing timbers .
I don't have any pictures of my work with a broad axe and foot adze but there are plenty of other examples out there .

 

[Shortstack]

Definitely an adz. The key to using these things safety was to keep it SHARP and stand with your feet on both sides of the log you're working. Also, don't try to take too big of a chunk out of the log at once.
The companion tool with an adz was an offset ax. The ax, with the handle shifted to one side was used to chop a flatten face on the sides of the log to cut down on having to roll the log after each side was flattened. Those off set axes were the REAL leg killers.

By the way, adzes and off set axes can still be bought today, so maybe your adz isn't really old. But that's OK. They are worth salvaging and keeping. Just remember to sharpen it before using. They are not sharpened to an ax edge. It's more of a chisel cross-section.

 

[goldguru]

Yep that's an adze Great find Very neat also with the original handle.

Green Check that is exactly what that is an ADZE

 

[Newt]

I think it had a pick on that opposite end.
Newt

Nuhuh . Look up hewing timbers .
I don't have any pictures of my work with a broad axe and foot adze but there are plenty of other examples out there .

Is this just slag? It looks like a pick(or axe) was ground off.
Newt

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Newt, I "think" it was used as a hammer of sorts, it is well pounded. I don't think it's broken, just used.

 

[spartacus53]

WTG on saving that relic

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Cool adze!!!!!!!!!!! Great find!!!!!!!

The bigger adze tended to be used for bigger logs - like on barn beams. They had short adze, curved adze, long adze, etc., etc.

The back "flat spot" is just where it was occasionally pounded on to get the adze through the wood.

 

[IronSpike]

Cool adze!!!!!!!!!!! Great find!!!!!!!

The bigger adze tended to be used for bigger logs - like on barn beams. They had short adze, curved adze, long adze, etc., etc.

The back "flat spot" is just where it was occasionally pounded on to get the adze through the wood.

That makes sense and interesting info mrs.oroblanco

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Thanks Mrs. O! I'm just glad we saved another small piece of history. It makes a nice addition to the Hubby's collection!

Thanks Folks for all the help!