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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 30, 2020 7:12:56 GMT -7
Can anyone help with unearthing any documentation concerning so said shoulder sheaths or scabbards for belt axes. I'm prowling through some sources but have only found a few things that leave me in question. Specifically, I'd like to see if anyone has information from the PA gazette, which how does one find access to that? (Tangent inserted).
I've seen a few representations made with a simple finger woven strap that in turn is affixed to a leather type scabbard. Simple construction but having a difficult time finding anything but wet concrete and nothing set...
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Post by spence on Jul 30, 2020 10:12:38 GMT -7
Here's the only one I have collected which is unequivocally a shoulder rig, not a waist belt. I can't lay my hands on the info about it, but if my memory is good it is a museum specimen, the tomahawk and sheath of Alexander MacKenzie, the famous explorer. The Pennsylvania Gazette is available through the subscription service Accessible Archives. It has the entire Pa Gazette, some other 18th-century newspapers and a lot of other material. It is a key-word search format, type in "tomahawk" and it will return all uses of that term in the newspaper for the whole century, sometimes 1000 hits, and you have to read through them all to pick out the ones of interest, then save them to your computer. I can't quite see that being something you would enjoy, what with your aversion to technology, but here's a link to the subscription page. It's $100 a year. www.accessible-archives.com/subscribe/personal-subscriptions/BTW, info such as you are looking for, descriptions of shoulder sheaths for a tomahawk/axe is generally not the kind of item you would find in the newspapers of the time...but not impossible. Spence
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Post by brokennock on Jul 30, 2020 10:28:22 GMT -7
I've been working on this question as well. Specifically have been trying to locate the Sir Alexander Mackenzie in question. This is dated to host 1793 expedition across Canada. At this time it appears it is in a private collection. The last sign of it I can find is an old listing on an auction house website. I have been hoping to find pictures of the other side of the sheath and dimensions of the strap. Strap I believe to be 2" wide, wondering on the length. I have been hoping to find it in a museum somewhere that I can contact. I have more pics somewhere but not of the back of it. I will find them and move them to a host to post here when I can.
I have heard/read the term "bag axe" so also have been applying this idea to finding reference to the carry of a tomahawk or small hatchet on one's shoulder slung bag.
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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 30, 2020 11:03:55 GMT -7
That was the piece I located as well. Bag axe, belt axe and the jargon baffle me. I was curious to the orgins as I came across a nicely done claimed reproduction but no supporting evidence to validate their existence in the colonies.
For the information the gazette provides, definitely worth the subscription I'd say. However that computer time portion certainly isn't appealing.
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Post by paranger on Jul 30, 2020 11:12:09 GMT -7
That was the piece I located as well. Bag axe, belt axe and the jargon baffle me. I was curious to the orgins as I came across a nicely done claimed reproduction but no supporting evidence to validate their existence in the colonies. For the information the gazette provides, definitely worth the subscription I'd say. However that computer time portion certainly isn't appealing. Here is my concept of a "bag" or "game" axe. The haft is about 14" for reference, and it is an original from the Phillip Skene foundry, Skenesboro NY (now Whitehall) ca. 1770s. This one, unusually, is spiked. The method of carriage in this case is my own speculation. The bag and horn are original as well.
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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 30, 2020 11:26:08 GMT -7
Usually my axe is tucked within a sash or belt and the edge covered with a crude mask from nothing more than a piece of linen and leather thong. However I'm exploring the idea of other period carrying methods as having to remove/ re-apply the linen cloth after use and what not is getting old. Certainly not problematic but having quick access while having the cutting edge safe while stowed on person is appealing.
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Post by brokennock on Jul 30, 2020 16:15:10 GMT -7
hawkeyes, I think we are on the same page here. It also gets to the point of just having you much stuff in and on one's belt or sash. I am toying with the idea of a sheath sewn to the back of my shot pouch, but would like some evidence this was done. Or, making something based on the Mackenzie sheath, buy for right side, edge forward, carry. Seem to me easiest and most efficient to be able to pull the 'hawk up and out of the sheath by the top part of the handle that is above the head using my left hand, leaving the bottom of the handle accessible for the right hand to grab.
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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 30, 2020 16:35:22 GMT -7
Apparently sketchbook 76 by Robert L Klinger showcases a few period examples, however I cannot find a copy.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Jul 30, 2020 17:12:01 GMT -7
Fort Pitt Museum dated 1760. Diderot image: Page 426 Planche 10 Keith.
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Post by spence on Jul 30, 2020 17:21:20 GMT -7
I've always just carried my hawks tucked under the belt or sash in the small of my back. I made and tried a shoulder slung sheath once, didn't like it. Same for a little slip-on cover just for the cutting edge, found it unnecessary.
Spence
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Post by brokennock on Jul 30, 2020 22:49:32 GMT -7
I keep my 'hawks as shaving sharp as I do my knives, just at a steeper bevel angle. Moving around in the woods with that edge exposed is just asking for stitches. I may try the shoulder rig and not like it either. But won't know until tried.
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Post by spence on Jul 31, 2020 5:50:54 GMT -7
A man's gotta know his limitations. Spence
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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 31, 2020 6:34:33 GMT -7
I've suffered the negatives of slicing through tendons and nerves, which certainly has prompted me to be much more cautious of exposed edges than before. Personally never had a problem of carrying my hawk edge exposed either, yet the above experience is something I'd rather not go through again. I to carry my hawk shaving sharp, nothing less.
I'll potentially press forward with a recreation of the two examples discussed.
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Post by spence on Jul 31, 2020 8:20:24 GMT -7
I'm not good at sharpening cutting tools, so my hawk is less of a threat than some might be. Here's the axe of Isaac Shelby, late 18th century, of the Kentucky or American pattern. It was a belt axe, but it wouldn't be difficult to design a shoulder strap to use with this style brain-tan holster, I should think. Spence
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Post by hawkeyes on Jul 31, 2020 8:57:59 GMT -7
I'm not good at sharpening cutting tools, so my hawk is less of a threat than some might be. Here's the axe of Isaac Shelby, late 18th century, of the Kentucky or American pattern. It was a belt axe, but it wouldn't be difficult to design a shoulder strap to use with this style brain-tan holster, I should think. Spence Ahah! Bet she's sharp enough for good use! I like that example, good find. Any experience with those patterned pieces? I'm betting the small stature of the axe would be very useful in some situations.
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