Is this an old axe? Advice appreciated.
 

Hi, This is my first post since joining this forum although I have spent many hours reading - lurking!
I bought this chopper in a boxed lot at auction last week although it was only this item that caught my eye. I remembered seeing similar items on this forum and in auction catalogues. However the others are cut from a sheet of steel whereas this is hollow cast and welded to the blade. I now dont think that this would have made a viable tool made in this fashion. My question - is this an old piece or have I bought a modern made "antique". Any comments would be appreciated. It won't be my first mistake or my last! :o .
Thanks in advance,
Mark.

Hi Manokent,
Welcome to the forums. Your picture is below.

Hi Manokent,

So, to continue.....
You're axe is absolutely beautiful!
My first thought was Scandanavian because of the ironwork, but of course the Fox is a common image here in England. So I'm now thinking early 20th century. Is it welded or forged? Whats the size/weight?
I doubt that it's a weapon, but I do think its a fantastic thing.
Regards
Gene

I agree with Gene that this is an awesome item, even regardless of age. It certainly would have attracted my eye. I also agree that it isn't a weapon and probably was made more as an art piece than for practical purposes. Is the edge sharp?
Welcome to the forums BTW. :)

First Guess
 

If small; Sugar cutter ? :shrug:

Welcome, Mark.
... a herb cutter?

.

Arctic fox? Ulu?

THERE WAS A POST OF A FELLOWS EXCELLENT AX/ HATCHET COLLECTION. HE HAD QUITE A COLLECTION AND SOME LIKE YOURS WERE FIGURAL ANIMALS. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT HE SAID ABOUT THEM AND HAD NO LUCK USING THE FORUM SEARCH PERHAPS SOMEONE ELSE REMEMBERS?

Welcome
 

You'd be wanting this link Vandoo and welcome Manokent;

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11545

They seem more akin to a meat cleaver.

Gav

Very cool and definitely fits the bill of "folk art" as well...

Thanks to all for the welcome and usefull comments, also to Gene for posting my picture. I remembered the thread with Broadaxe's display when I found this chopper. Although when I looked again I saw that his were all cut from one piece of plate. This coupled with the weight of mine started to sow the seeds of doubt as to mine being an older piece. This weighs just over half a kilo and measures 13" in length. The fox is hollow cast with the legs being welded to the blade. No sign of it being arc welded or brazed so I believe it was hammer welded if that is the right term. In my view a domestic item probably to chop on a board or other light work. The welds being a potential weak point if used on wood, kindling etc. I really like the naive folk art look anyway and as my interest in edged weapons spills over into tools and other metalware it has found a permanent home!
When I learn to post pictures I promise the next item I post will be a weapon! :)
Mark.

Welcome Manokent

Your cleaver strikes me as French that is just my gut feeling. I have seen French knife holders with similar themes.

Thanks Lew I'm sure you're right. There was a lot of French stuff in the sale that I attended. Not unusual though in S.E England. I am just surprised that as its a casting I haven't been able to find any others. Still it now hangs on my study wall. I'm sure one day something will crop up, It usually does. :) .
Best.
Mark.

Meat or kitchen cleavers with the blade in the shape of an animal are common in Central and Eastern Europe, less so in France and Germany - but they can also be found there. Most of the ones I have seen have been from Poland, Slovakia/Czech Republic or Hungary --- try searching the word 'tazak' on the Polish auction site 'Allegro' or 'kés' on 'Vatera' in Hungary.... This should find some images of similar choppers/cleavers...