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Thread: I need help identifing shipwrights adze

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Portland Oregon
    Posts
    74

    I need help identifing shipwrights adze

    I discovered this old shipwrights adze at an estate sale this weekend and am having trouble identifying it.

    The partial makers mark reads ---LLER & TOR--- below that reads --OOL MFG and below that is ORTLAND. There is a K forged on the side of the adze which leads me to believe the above LLER is KELLER. I'm also thinking its from Portland ME, not Oregon. I've done some basic research and am running into dead ends. P1010001.jpg P1010002.jpg I thought some of you folks may be able to give me a lead or two.. The cutting edge is 5 inches across and the pole is 2 3/8 inches long.

    Thanks much

    Jeff

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Smithfield, Va
    Posts
    328
    I've been researching for 3 days and haven't found anything even close. This is a tough one.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Portland Oregon
    Posts
    74
    Thanks Jim, I figured there were prople working on it, I've been through the same process. If there is something else I need to photograph or describe that may hold a clue, let me know.

    Jeff

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    mid-coast Maine and deep space
    Posts
    2,656
    Have you tried looking through this web site? http://www.davistownmuseum.org/TDMtoolMakers.html This page opens on Registry of Maine Toolmaker Listings. I'm wondering if the K is an owners mark - a very nice one, but not at all associated with the manufacturer.

    OK, as I was much intrigued by that web site I took the time to scroll through the entire lists A-Z and stopped at all Portland entries. Sorry to say, no entries corresponded with the info in the photo. Good luck with your search

    Sam
    Last edited by Sam Murdoch; 05-03-2012 at 5:26 PM. Reason: added comment
    "... for when we become in heart completely poor, we at once are the treasurers & disbursers of enormous riches."
    WQJudge

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Mid coast Maine
    Posts
    477
    I looked at both of my adzes, and neither one has any markings that I can see.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Portland Oregon
    Posts
    74
    Sam, I have been through the Davistown Museum site list for Maine tool makers three times....no luck.'

    Jim, thanks for checking something will turn up I hope.

    Jeff

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Portland Oregon
    Posts
    74
    I have turned up a similar shipwright's adze that was sold on ebay in February this year, #280809465820, but can't seem to pull it up. The partial listing I located read Keller & Tork Tool MFG, Portland, OR and it was stamped on the inside face of the adze.

    I am running into dead ends finding any reference to Keller & Tork tool mfg here in Portland.

    Jeff

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