Axe head

[canes2016]

I found this axe head yesterday at a site dating back to later 1700’s. While not the first one I’ve found, what makes this one interesting is that the blade appears to be curved (was it by design?). And secondly, it appears the entire head was “folded over” given the seam (in the second picture), to create this head. Was this a means in which axe heads were formed back in that era?

Many thanks..... Bill

 

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[Centsless Detecting]

Nice find. Its not curved by design. It was probaly very well used and discarded after it got bent. Yes the metal was folded over and forge welded (hammered while very hot) to make the cutting edge. I have found 3 hatchet heads 300 + years old. They all have the seam.

 

[Digger RJ]

That’s an oldie! Congrats!!!

 

[canes2016]

Thanks all. Is there a way to date this?

 

[Truth]

I love old ax heads

 

[against the wind]

Thanks all. Is there a way to date this?

Well maybe some flowers and the movies,

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Cool relic!

 

[smallfoot]

Well maybe some flowers and the movies,

Good one..shot tea at the screen!

 

[canes2016]

Thanks ATW, guess I set myself up for that!!

 

[Ceredox]

Its possible that it is a Hewing Axe. Theyre purposely flat on one side so they can be used to shave wood off of a log. They're also often short and stumpy. like this one. Awesome old find!

 

[EccentricInTexas]

The seam means it was forged and not cast as one piece. Some will have a hardened steel cutting edge with the back half being iron or lower grade steel. I have seen some older axe heads that appear to have been used as wedges and are crumpled like that. That would be my guess.

 

[Georgivs]

Notice how it's flared out on the back? It's been used as a splitting wedge (likely after the shaft broke) and that is why it's misshapen and broken. I've found a few like this, some that the blade has completely broken off of (those ones were probably cast).

 

[unclemac]

you have an individually forged blacksmith made relic that is well worth preserving for your collection...not a lot of iron junk is worth it.