Scout Hatchets or Axes
- Thread starter boykinlp
- Start date
OP
Nice. From what I can tell, the Norlund company started in 1968, a good bit later than some of the other companies. Their product seems to have a different profile from the other scout axes shown, so far. Where did you get the leather?
Larry
Here's one made by Tru Temper from my scouting days in the late 60's. Needless to say it has seen a lot of use and still goes with me to hunting camp and general camping trips. Don
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BB57, if those were the only two I owned , I feel like there's nothing I couldn't do. I use my little hand hatchet more than any other edged tool I own. I actually bought it here from a forum member about a yr ago.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
The closest to BSA my family got was service in the Military.
My second son (USMC) started backpacking for fun in his late 20's. His quest for "Ultra Lite" made him try many cutting tools that I thought ridiculous. He has one of the Gerber hollow plastic handled hatchets, that the handle is about 8" long. While my wandering days are over, I prefer an old Plumb "Topping Axe" my dad used camping as a kid. It has a 2-pound hatchet head (no nail notch) and a 24-26" handle. Still low weight, but plenty of leverage when chopping.
I think many older Scout Hatchets need re-handled because of "Tomahawk" throwing! My 3 sons had about 10 2-pound hatchet heads on California Framer 18" handles with the bottom swell sanded smooth. These were used for throwing. The kids at their prime throwing age (16-17) could stick in a man-sized torso on a passing run at 25 yards and stationary throw at 50 yards. I went through a lot of handles for them to get that proficient. I don't think Scouts didn't do any throwing for both safety and handle protection reasons.
Ivan
My second son (USMC) started backpacking for fun in his late 20's. His quest for "Ultra Lite" made him try many cutting tools that I thought ridiculous. He has one of the Gerber hollow plastic handled hatchets, that the handle is about 8" long. While my wandering days are over, I prefer an old Plumb "Topping Axe" my dad used camping as a kid. It has a 2-pound hatchet head (no nail notch) and a 24-26" handle. Still low weight, but plenty of leverage when chopping.
I think many older Scout Hatchets need re-handled because of "Tomahawk" throwing! My 3 sons had about 10 2-pound hatchet heads on California Framer 18" handles with the bottom swell sanded smooth. These were used for throwing. The kids at their prime throwing age (16-17) could stick in a man-sized torso on a passing run at 25 yards and stationary throw at 50 yards. I went through a lot of handles for them to get that proficient. I don't think Scouts didn't do any throwing for both safety and handle protection reasons.
Ivan
OP
Ivan, if Scouts had one, you would have received a merit badge for being a "professional" at hatchet/axe hanging!
Larry
Larry
Mid-1960's is possible, but I've read that Norlund started up in the late 1960's. They were the brain child of the Canadian Tire Company. It's my understanding that they were actually produced in the Mann Edge Tool plant in Lewiston PA. Norlund promoted them as Hudson Bay Axes, but that was just a marketing gimmick.
I've got a couple of their hatchets and a trappers axe, but don't have one of their large axes or a double bit Saddle Cruiser.
inspcalahan
Member
I use a Gransfors Bruk small forest axe.
I've got a few in various sizes but, this exact one has become my go to favorite for its ability, to include the leather wrap. A little pricier than many out there but, we could all carry hi-points as well if that was the main factor. Gransfors Bruk's are high quality tools.
Agreed. I'm not felling large trees with an axe and the small forest axe works for felling small jack pines, limbing, and most spitting and camp chores.
The hatchet is great for woodcraft.
I had mixed feelings about the leather wrap. I eventually just wrapped the handle with braided nylon line and glued the front face of it with industrial CA to keep it from slipping or unwrapping and to make it a little tougher. It's lighter, doesn't slip, doesn't hold moisture, and is just as protective.
I bought it at Smokey Mountain Knife Works and started out looking at a few other well known brands (Marbles, Cold Steel, CRKT, Council Tool, etc before this one, working up the money scale. It just felt so much better in the hand and the quality difference was obvious. It's worth the extra money
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I no longer have the offending hatchet but I haven't forgotten the time our chain smoking scoutmaster yelled in his gravelly voice "Witty ! This hatchet of yours is dull enough to ride to town on !"
Regards,
Regards,
OP
Mid-1960's is possible, but I've read that Norlund started up in the late 1960's. They were the brain child of the Canadian Tire Company. It's my understanding that they were actually produced in the Mann Edge Tool plant in Lewiston PA. Norlund promoted them as Hudson Bay Axes, but that was just a marketing gimmick.
I've got a couple of their hatchets and a trappers axe, but don't have one of their large axes or a double bit Saddle Cruiser.
What did the Hudson Bay Axes mean? Did it have to do with their head shape?
Even back then you probably could have pulled out floral carved leather axe sheaths from Heiser, Lawrence, and Myres making him drool like crazy!
Larry
They look like a tomahawk. That was Canadian Tires method of promoting their hatchets/axes by romanticizing fur trappers and the Hudson Bay Trading Company. The logo on their sticker is a trapper in a canoe.
OP
I was able to pick up my first Boy Scout Axe. BTW, what is the difference between an axe and a hatchet? I always thought it was the length of the tool, but from what I can find online, this one of mine is called an axe, and its total length is only about 14".
From what I can tell, this Plumb Scout Axe is from around 1934-35. The axe head is painted black, and the Plumb logo is back by the poll, while the Boy Scout Fleur-De-Lis is stamped on the same side just above the nail slot. It has a square poll. I believe it still has its original hickory handle because it has the words "Official Scout Axe" along the side, and it uses a screw wedge. It also came with a leather sheath with "Plumb" on the snap. It is in poor condition, but I'm happy to have it anyway! I believe it's in pretty nice condition considering it belonged to and was used by a young Boy Scout, and is around 90 years old. The handle has a little damage near the head from an over strike or two. What do you folks think I should do to it, if anything? I was thinking about wrapping the top section of the handle with paracord to cover the damage and strengthen the area. Here are some pictures of it:
Larry
From what I can tell, this Plumb Scout Axe is from around 1934-35. The axe head is painted black, and the Plumb logo is back by the poll, while the Boy Scout Fleur-De-Lis is stamped on the same side just above the nail slot. It has a square poll. I believe it still has its original hickory handle because it has the words "Official Scout Axe" along the side, and it uses a screw wedge. It also came with a leather sheath with "Plumb" on the snap. It is in poor condition, but I'm happy to have it anyway! I believe it's in pretty nice condition considering it belonged to and was used by a young Boy Scout, and is around 90 years old. The handle has a little damage near the head from an over strike or two. What do you folks think I should do to it, if anything? I was thinking about wrapping the top section of the handle with paracord to cover the damage and strengthen the area. Here are some pictures of it:
Larry
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Nice find! I'd guess that the handle is original.The handle has a little damage near the head from an over strike or two. What do you folks think I should do to it, if anything? I was thinking about wrapping the top section of the handle with paracord to cover the damage and strengthen the area. Here are some pictures of it:
Larry
I'd leave it as is, but I also wouldn't use it.
That will clean up nicely. Good find.
AJ
US Veteran
Clean it as best as you can and just display it. If you really need a small hand axe or hatchet, go buy a new one. JMHO
I still have somewhere the Boy Scout hand axe I bought in 1953. I'm keeping an eye out for an an example of the "three quarter axe" the scout camp kept on hand to rent out for (IIRC) a nickle a day for campers.
Musing on this, I recall a game we used to play with the 3/4 axes. We'd stick a strike-anywhere match vertically in the top of a stump and take a swing at it with the axe at arm's length. Just about anybody in the troup could split it--the trick was to strike and light it without splitting it. Ahhh, those good old simple days...
Musing on this, I recall a game we used to play with the 3/4 axes. We'd stick a strike-anywhere match vertically in the top of a stump and take a swing at it with the axe at arm's length. Just about anybody in the troup could split it--the trick was to strike and light it without splitting it. Ahhh, those good old simple days...
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OP
I was thinking that the handle was original too since it had the "Official Scout Axe" still in the handle. I definitely won't use it. I forgot to post a picture of the top of the axe. I think I read that the screw is the way they were done back then. Is that correct?
What do you two mean by cleaning it up? What process would you use?
Larry
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OP
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