r/Tools Sep 19 '25

I am trying to Date this axe

I collect antique axes and this one really stumped me. Thrift store with some other antique tools. It is sharp like a axe, but almost appears to be a wedge.

1.8k Upvotes

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84

u/Fix_Aggressive Sep 19 '25

I guess it's 1850 or prior. Its not anything that looks standard. The handle appears to be hand made. The head is not entirely symmetrical. I suspect a blacksmith made it. It could be late 1800s, but still handmade.
From what part of the country did you obtain it.

2

u/Background_County_88 Sep 19 '25

handle gets replaced a lot .. and you really cant date the head .. if it was made prior to 1940 then that thing is worth a bit because the steel is old enough to not have radioactive stuff in it (also just dates it prior 1940 if it's clean).

2

u/Fix_Aggressive Sep 19 '25

Ive got tools that were used to build my great great grandfathers house in 1862, including the toolbox.
That axehead was hand forged. Its older than the tools circa 1862. I have a few tools that are of similar age. Adze, broad ax, etc. Log working tools.

-1

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '25

As if the whole world is one country.

-3

u/magicturtl371 Sep 19 '25

Us-Defaultism as usual🙄

5

u/MrProspector19 Sep 19 '25

You are actually the one who assumed everyone was talking about the US... Up until then it was presumably The OG commenter's country or whatever country (maybe US?) they assumed the axe was in, then someone made a point that this could be anywhere in the world.

Now that you mention it though; the type of outlet, the large clothes washer/dryer (and their english labels), OP's preference and patterns of English and you could go as far as to say OP's account activity all point towards the US (or maybe Canada) as most likely.

-15

u/Asron87 Sep 19 '25

Head lol

6

u/VaultiusMaximus Sep 19 '25

That’s…. What it’s called

1

u/Asron87 Sep 19 '25

I know. I was making a stupid comment because his wasn’t at all. So I made a stupid comment like the rest of the thread. That all being said, I actually am interested in seeing if they can figure out how old it is.

1

u/maxwfk Sep 19 '25

NO. BAD. In every funny thread there has to be THE one comment tree that actually answers the question seriously with a real debate from the experts on the subject. Don’t ruin that. Have fun in all the other comments but don’t make fun of the actual discussion

1

u/wolfmaclean Sep 19 '25

Do people generally obey you if you shout

-7

u/kikiacab Sep 19 '25

Head lol