What Is It - Chisel ?? + Hand Ax + ugly hatchet

[crash325]

#1 Yes I know what it is called or named. And you hot shots hold off a little while as it may be fun to see what some folks think it is.

Yes its a type of chisel that is or was used in timber framing. As you can see by the pictures it was in pretty bad condition. A lot of sanding, square the cutting edge and a new handle. Not as good as new as some of the pitting was too deep to sand out. The new handle is about 1.5" shorter than the original, but it is still 25" overall.

I do not know what type of wood the handle is turned out of. When first turned it is a bright red. With in a day it oxidizes into a brown. The finish is 2 coats of linseed oil, then 2 coats of "Hut" white wax. Even with an almost instant finish it still turned brown.


#2 Proper name??
I have tried to find the proper name for this hand ax. I looked on the net for over and hour and most everyone has a different name for it. It was used by the ancient Romans and Greeks in truing up beams while ship building. What was their name for it? The cutting edge is sharpened like a chisel and the handle is offset to the right. Tried to show the offset in the picture but it is hard to see. This one may be a little more modern than the Greek or Roman ones, as it was made by "Plumb" on the side. A little hard to see is my grand fathers brand on 1 side. "A" "+" That is "A Cross" and he quickly corrected folks that called it "A plus".

#3 Ugly hatchet
This was a hatchet that I was using for splitting wood, before building a splitter. It split across the top. I put the handle on another old hatchet, then decided to weld up the crack. While at it weld in a hunk of rebar. Not a great welder but it did stay together. Was mostly having fun turning a piece of distressed Mesquite for a handle. Since it will rarely be used and then mostly for kindling it should hold up. If not "OH Well".:thumbsup:

 

[zzvyb6]

That's a really 'slick' way of describing it. :laughing:

 

[zzvyb6]

Witherby, Stinson, James Swan, Reliance, Eli, Greenlee, or Underhill to name a few. The other is commonly called a "broad axe". Last is just a common hand ax.

 

[J_J]

That looks like what the old times used for timber work, such as cutting dovetail joints, etc.

 

[beenthere]

Only the "cold" shots need apply.

 

[crash325]

That's a really 'slick' way of describing it. :laughing:

I love it. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[crash325]

That looks like what the old times used for timber work, such as cutting dovetail joints, etc.

J.J. I read just about everything you post. And you are almost always right. You are close this time and it is used while timber framing.

But this time you got it wrong. Strictly a Hand Tool, not to be hammered on. Somewhat large for most joints.

 

[crash325]

Witherby, Stinson, James Swan, Reliance, Eli, Greenlee, or Underhill to name a few. The other is commonly called a "broad axe". Last is just a common hand ax.

Thanks for the reply.

Brand names don't count. Really looking for the Tools name.

'Commonly called a "Broad Axe". That is what it is often called, But not the true name.

Yep last was just and Ugly Old, Broken Hatchet. Just fixed it up and added it in for the fun of it.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[JEH412]

First is a slick for timber framing, second is a goosewing axe and third is ugly but functional.

John

 

[retiredmgn]

First is a socket chisel. I would disagree that it was only meant to be used by hand. Usually the steel socket was for a chisel that was to be pounded on. Given the size, I would assign it the task of 'clean up' for moritse and tennon joints. Or, put a 3' handle on it to clean the bark off of logs.

Second is a broad axe. The handle of which would originaly be offset (curved) to keep your knuckles away from the timber being shaped. Been there, done that. Snap a chalkline the length of the timber. Chop in every foot to the depth of the chalkline. Use the broad axe (with offset handle) to remove the stock down to the line to square up the timber.

#3 is just an ugly hatchet.

 

[crash325]

First is a socket chisel. I would disagree that it was only meant to be used by hand. Usually the steel socket was for a chisel that was to be pounded on. Given the size, I would assign it the task of 'clean up' for moritse and tennon joints. Or, put a 3' handle on it to clean the bark off of logs.

Second is a broad axe. The handle of which would originaly be offset (curved) to keep your knuckles away from the timber being shaped. Been there, done that. Snap a chalkline the length of the timber. Chop in every foot to the depth of the chalkline. Use the broad axe (with offset handle) to remove the stock down to the line to square up the timber.

#3 is just an ugly hatchet.

#1 Is a "Slick" and is used to finish smoothing beams. No Hammering as the handle was not designed for that. That (improper use) may be what split the top of the original handle. See the picture of a wooden handled chisel meant to be hammered on.

#2 Not a true axe although most modern names include Axe. It is more of a chisel with an offset handle. Goose wing is the name of a German tool used for the same purpose. It is used for the same job as the "Slick." Some modern names are Carpenter axe, Right Wing, & Finishing Axe. A true Broad axe is sharpened on both sides and most have a curved blade

#3 Everyone got that one right. But it is fun to turn junk into something useful. The wood handle was turned from distressed ( Worm holes, lighting strike) wood on purpose.
:thumbsup::licking:

 

[J_J]

J.J. I read just about everything you post. And you are almost always right. You are close this time and it is used while timber framing.

But this time you got it wrong. Strictly a Hand Tool, not to be hammered on. Somewhat large for most joints.

In rebuttal, here is another one, called Vintage Slick Large Wood Chisel Old Timber Framing Tool.

A slick is used to clean the surface of a hand hewn beam.

Do you know what this is for sure? The same or similar tool is used for a lot of things, and if it looks like it will work, I will use it.

I worked in a large wood shop back through out the 50's. The shop had one huge motor, that drove about 6 belt driven tools. I used something similar. We either used a leather mallet or a light hammer. They made a lot of their tools or refurbished others. I haven't filed a saw in 60 years. I did a lot of jobs in the orphanage, but woodworking was my favorite.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Nice handle on the broad axe. Its shape follows the grain of the wood, making for a much stronger handle.

 

[bironacad]

In rebuttal, here is another one, called Vintage Slick Large Wood Chisel Old Timber Framing Tool.

A slick is used to clean the surface of a hand hewn beam.

Do you know what this is for sure? The same or similar tool is used for a lot of things, and if it looks like it will work, I will use it.

I worked in a large wood shop back through out the 50's. The shop had one huge motor, that drove about 6 belt driven tools. I used something similar. We either used a leather mallet or a light hammer. They made a lot of their tools or refurbished others. I haven't filed a saw in 60 years. I did a lot of jobs in the orphanage, but woodworking was my favorite.

Yup a two inch mortise chisel for the big joints in timber framing you can buy them at Lee valley.

 

[studor]

I always thought a slick had an angle between blade and handle and was pushed not pounded -- that looks like a mortising chisel to me. Can't tell the dimensions of the second axe and that might make the difference as to what it is called, -- the third is called a fuaxe -- you figure it out -- JMHO

 

[J_J]

Most slicks are off set like this.

I am sticking with framing chisel. You can put different handles on them.

There is a stamp on your chisel, can you read anything on it. or is the name of the chisel stamped on the other side?

Can you take a picture of your chisel sideways?

 

[bironacad]

The Broad Axe has one side flat for facing logs and comes in different sizes see attached. My father use to call that hatchet head style a Swedish Axe, go figure, and I am sticking with the timber framing chisel,

 

[crash325]

A "Slick" can be straight, have a Slight Curve in the blade, offset socket, canted or cranked socket. Were I going buy or acquire another slick, I like the curved blade. As It lets you lever out the shavings a little easier.
I posted a video of a shipwright using a slick, his is straight.

Timber Framer's Slick

Mfg. Description of their Slick
The large paring chisel used by timber framers and shipwrights, a slick is propelled by hand for removing substantial amounts of material, leveling broad surfaces, and fitting joints. Its 1-3/4" diameter ash handle is canted to provide clearance, and terminates with a knob to give a secure grip. The 2-3/8" wide, forged high-carbon steel blade is hardened to Rc57-59 for durability and has a rounded back for strength. Overall length is 27".

Quote from a How to article.
In use, a slick is always pushed; never struck (thus the slender handle). Using a combination of the tool's weight and bracing the handle against the shoulder or upper arm, fine paring cuts are made. Slicks are used mostly by shipwrights and timber framers.


The tool is 39" in length and has a 3 1/2" wide cutting edge of excellent laminated steel which will become scary sharp with little effort. It operates just like a big chisel except that you don't hit it with a mallet, you slide it along and allow it's weight, inertia and sharpness to remove the wood in thin ribbons.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia !"

 

[texasjohn]

I'm just impressed with the workmanship on the handles...good job!!!

 

[J_J]

Maybe some of you wood workers can appreciate some of the labor this video shows how it was done and is still done in some places.

YouTube - Cleaning Mortices