Author Topic: HF India axe? (Read 7720 times)

mneedham · « **on:** October 14, 2015, 03:56:26 PM »

I happen to have two of these at the moment, one that my pal found at a barn sale, and this one that I picked up. These are thick, heavy heads, that are stamped "HF India". Any thoughts? Maybe the HF means hand-forged?

upthecreek · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2015, 04:23:42 PM »

I can be of no help on the identification. Sure has a cool look. I usually associate India with all things bad, but that's just me. I've a soft spot for the phantom bevels. Stick some wood in it and see what happens. Does the geometry of the head seem ok? Cheeks vs edge and such. Is the eye size normal for the weight? If it fails the user test it would certainly make an eye catching display. ... if you're into that sort of thing.

Creek

Quenchcrack · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:19:53 PM »

I have seen very few tools come out of India that were worth a darn. There has to be a first time some time.
Oddly enough, the original billets of steel that were forged into Damascus blades, came out of India. But that was a long time ago.

pete28 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:40:35 PM »

Any chance it could be a hultafors? I looked at their website but I highly doubt it. The other place I looked but not in detail was the heye foundation website just not in detail. Not sure any of this will help. Hopefully the old salts will chime in on this one.

upthecreek · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:42:19 PM »

Can you snap a pic of the mark?

Creek

mneedham · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:58:10 PM »

Yep - Here is the stamp. Max might right about the quality, the edge on my pal's is shredded, maybe they are treated correctly. Definitely a cool wall -hanger though...

wolfy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2015, 06:46:17 PM »

Harbor Freight........Indi a branch?

Aven · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2015, 08:03:19 PM »

Quote from: wolfy on October 14, 2015, 06:46:17 PM

Harbor Freight........Indi a branch?

I hate to admit it, but that's where I went first.

upthecreek · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2015, 03:59:39 AM »

ding ding ding....I think we have a winner! Sure would make sense

Creek

BigHat · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2015, 11:40:31 AM »

I bought a hatchet from harbor freight with that stamp. I think thats what it is. I got lucky with the steel on mine... I heard you can tap the head with a hammer... if it sings, its good steal treated right. If it thuds, put it back

mneedham · « **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2015, 06:05:53 AM »

Quote from: BigHat on October 16, 2015, 11:40:31 AM

I bought a hatchet from harbor freight with that stamp. I think thats what it is. I got lucky with the steel on mine... I heard you can tap the head with a hammer... if it sings, its good steal treated right. If it thuds, put it back

Thanks for the tip! I think one is destined to be a wall hanger though. My suspicion is that looks better than it will perform...

Boone · « **Reply #11 on:** August 24, 2021, 02:51:26 PM »

I found the same axe when cleaning out my grandfather's house years ago. I just found it to be a Collins commander axe.

JoshC · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2021, 01:22:57 AM »

I also found one of these heads and this is probably gonna be a serious question but would this head be handled with the stamping up or down? For some reason it's dimensions are really throwing me off.

wsdstan · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2021, 07:36:15 AM »

Josh I don't think it would matter which alignment you used as it appears to be symmetrical.

JoshC · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2021, 05:11:06 AM »

They're definitely not quite symmetrical, at least mine is not. In my picture you can see the top ( as it sits in this picture) has more of an arch to it. This is also the side that is stamped. The bottom side in this picture seems to be a little less curved. Any more thoughts on handling this head would be appreciated.

JoshC · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2021, 05:18:35 AM »

I can't seem to be able to figure out how to add/send an attachment on here so no picture as of yet

wsdstan · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2021, 11:46:35 AM »

Use a photo hosting service like Imgur. Post the photo there and then get share links for a forum in the upper right hand corner of the photo. Just click on it. Go to your post and hit paste and it will show up as long as the photo is on Imgur.

JoshC · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2021, 11:42:48 PM »

http://imgur.com/a/vndkgwE

wsdstan · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2021, 07:40:58 AM »

I think it should be hafted so the bottom of the axe in the photo is facing out, away from the user.

On Imgur you can copy the "share to forum" section and the photo will automatically post to your thread.

Dabberty · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2021, 12:45:44 AM »

I've seen a couple of axes from that part of the world, and so far the stamp was always at the bottom placed.. But who knows..

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Author Topic: HF India axe? (Read 7720 times)