Hytest Axe

[SteveC]

Yard clearing and burning my pile before fire permits or fire bans are put in place. I never go down to the back of my block in strong winds because of widow makers like this in a couple of big gum trees. Thought I'd give the newest chopper a go to buck this into a few lengths instead of one

Could still be sharper, but this is very hard seasoned timber

Still a bit of original green on the left side of the head

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[Sparky415]

Fun! 

Direct square hits weren't much fun, very jarring. Once I got the angle on and started taking out chips it was much better, and the "chopping block" helped back up and stop a lot of vibration from the unsupported branch

 

A lot of people underestimate how much a good chopping block/firm base helps when using an axe 

[TazzieRob]

I picked up a Forester head at a market today for $25. Little bit of surface rust and the edge in reasonable condition. Provable the best Hytest I've come across for the money. Pics to follow

[Sparky415]

 

 

[styx]

 

How come you're not in the 30 day axe challenge?

[Sparky415]

How come you're not in the 30 day axe challenge?

Sadly nothing to cut  chop or split 

[styx]

it will be in october. and since you're the axe guy, it would be fitting if you were a part of it. besides you can always prepare dinner with your axes. we both know they are sharp enough for that

[TazzieRob]

I'm not sure what the N stamp is for, maybe this one was a special order or issue. The paint colour is also supposed to be Red, not Black, for the Forester, so whether or not it was as made or user alteration. I'm confident this is paint though, and not char from the handle being burnt out.

The Forester was the best model that Hytest made. Need to find a nice handle for it now, since it only came with a Hickory handle, that's what I'll get for it.







Hopefully everyone can see the pics

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/136300552

[SteveC]

Sadly no pics   

[TazzieRob]

Tapatalk usually plays the game

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[Sparky415]

Looks good from where I'm sitting, no signs of mistreatment 

[TazzieRob]

Looks good from where I'm sitting, no signs of mistreatment 

Definitely. Hasn't been used as a sledge hammer and the eye is in perfect condition. I've been searching pics and selling listings and the N stamp or Z stamp depending on which way they orientated it has popped up on a few I've seen, even back to the pre-WWII? Hytest Forged Tools. Still don't know what it was for. Can't tell if there's a tiny bit of red paint or not. Sometimes it's not clear until the head is cleaned up.

[TazzieRob]

That should be Post-WWII. Before 1946 Hytest were branded Plumb, but changed to Hytest after the American Plumb kicked up a stink

[TazzieRob]

Smurfing Hot Damn! Have a look on the bay for Hytest axes right now. There's a Forester head there in worse condition than mine for  $300
 

There's a full axe that's had a going over with an angle grinder or flap disk, discounted to $225 from $250. A completely beat to smurf head for a bargain $100 

Based on this sound logic, my Forester head must be worth $350 untouched, $400 with some work done to clean it up a bit, $450 for a full clean, polish and sharpen, and $500 with a handle. Sound fair? Who wants it?