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Double Bitted Hand Axes
- Thread starter Ridge
- Start date
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Ridge, I'm no expert but your thoughts about double bitted handaxes made me hit the books. In Firearms, Traps & Tools axes are mentioned from the late 1600s but not double bitted. Then in American Axes by Kauffman, the same author who wrote The Pennsylvania-Kentucky Rifle, it is said that bronze double bitted axes are known from Crete from 2000 to 1700 BC. So, the double bitted axes do have a history. Kauffman also says, speaking about the double bitted felling axe, that very few were made before the 20th century. Many years ago I had a Collins double bitted handaxe and more recently Marbles has re-introduced that style. Apparently a double bitted axe or handaxe was not used in general in the mid-1700s in North America. Perhaps someone else can locate some more information, I hope so. Le Grand
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There have been light weight double bit axes known as cruisers axes , used in the logging industry for years by men who cruised for timber sites in the wild forests. they are nice light and throw beautifully.I guess that I am boggled by this recent PC craze. who determines PC and who has the guts to stand up to a newbie or anold veteran of the muzzleloading game , and flat out tell him or her that they are not period correct. Please do NOT try that with me !!!! Lonesome Bob :nono:
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lonesomebob said:
The study of a subject to determine the truth and present the facts is nothing "new", nor is it a "craze".
Historical Accuracy is determined by the facts, not by a person. No one has to "stand up" to anyone, as it's not a contest. The facts speak for themselves and just becuase someone is a "veteran", that doesn't mean he hasn't been doing it wrong all this time. Veterans can be responsible for perpetuating falsehoods, if they are lacking the facts. "Veterans", sometimes, are the hardest group to accept new facts. They don't want to change, so they refuse to believe new information when it is presented to them. They are not always the best source for the newbie.
lonesomebob said:
I am boggled by the fact that you would respond to a thread about whether or not an item is PC by chastising the PC "craze". The "thread nazi's" get a bad rap, but it's the non PC crowd that I always see tossing gas on the fire.
If you do not wish to be PC then, by all means, don't be. I would like to be....which is why I started this thread.
SilverBear
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Ridge said:
While double bitted axes have been around for a long time as weapons, I have yet to see one for wood chopping that that be dated to the 18th Century. Not saying there may not be one or two out there, but 99.5% of the 18th Century axes that I have seen, handled and sold were single bit. They started getting common pre Civil war era although I can't give you an exact date.
Tony
This is not aimed at you, Mark -- I'm just following your post, and, incidentally, I agree with you.
Following this thread, just out of curiosity (I know nothin' 'bout axes 'cept how to use one), I came across the beginnings of the same old argument: someone asks what's PC (whether it's because he wants to be PC or is trying to force acceptance of a non-PC item is irrelevant, for the point of this post); someone attempts to explain; someone else (or maybe the original poster) grumbles about why everything has to be PC anyway; and, ultimately (this thread hasn't gone there yet, but it's pointed in the right direction), the whole thing degenerates into a shouting match.
I'm objective. I respect authenticity, but don't count threads; I hunt in an approximation of PC clothing for the experience and feel of it, not to pass a juried inspection; and I have no axe to grind (pun unintended, but, hey, it works) one way or another. So I feel I can say this: when someone who doesn't care about or actually dislikes the PC angle of certain discussions picks up a thread like this one, he ought to just politely -- and quietly -- leave. Otherwise it's the equivalent of two knowledgeable people having a discussion on some topic of concern only to them, and a third party walking up and, finding himself bored, starting to go "Who cares? Lalalala...." for the express purpose of putting a stop to a conversation that he neither cares about nor understands. The bigger issue, though, is that neither his disinterest or ignorance were invited to begin with. And, then, the one who's actually the instigator of a rude exchange gets his nose bent out of joint (or broken) and has the nerve to feel he's been wronged. :shake: :shake: :shake:
Following this thread, just out of curiosity (I know nothin' 'bout axes 'cept how to use one), I came across the beginnings of the same old argument: someone asks what's PC (whether it's because he wants to be PC or is trying to force acceptance of a non-PC item is irrelevant, for the point of this post); someone attempts to explain; someone else (or maybe the original poster) grumbles about why everything has to be PC anyway; and, ultimately (this thread hasn't gone there yet, but it's pointed in the right direction), the whole thing degenerates into a shouting match.
I'm objective. I respect authenticity, but don't count threads; I hunt in an approximation of PC clothing for the experience and feel of it, not to pass a juried inspection; and I have no axe to grind (pun unintended, but, hey, it works) one way or another. So I feel I can say this: when someone who doesn't care about or actually dislikes the PC angle of certain discussions picks up a thread like this one, he ought to just politely -- and quietly -- leave. Otherwise it's the equivalent of two knowledgeable people having a discussion on some topic of concern only to them, and a third party walking up and, finding himself bored, starting to go "Who cares? Lalalala...." for the express purpose of putting a stop to a conversation that he neither cares about nor understands. The bigger issue, though, is that neither his disinterest or ignorance were invited to begin with. And, then, the one who's actually the instigator of a rude exchange gets his nose bent out of joint (or broken) and has the nerve to feel he's been wronged. :shake: :shake: :shake:
Being a collector/user of antique hand tools for many years, I browsed through several of my reference books. There are no double axes shown before the 1840's, and no mention of them at all in colonial listings of carpenters tools.
olgreenhead
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Broadaxe was that the pc word for wife or was it ol battle axe :rotf:
Broadaxes were used for hewing timber, and were beveled only on the right side. The handle was bent to the right as well, to save the user's knuckles. There were also hatchets made for the same purpose.
Then you have the felling axes and splitting axes. Also, many variations of colonial trade axes and axes produced on the North American continent by local blacksmiths.
And, look at what I found....a picture of a double bit axe cast in bronze from Crete...circa 2000-7000 BC. Oops! I guess some cultures had 'em!
Then you have the felling axes and splitting axes. Also, many variations of colonial trade axes and axes produced on the North American continent by local blacksmiths.
And, look at what I found....a picture of a double bit axe cast in bronze from Crete...circa 2000-7000 BC. Oops! I guess some cultures had 'em!
