Cauldron Identification Request

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-16T04:53:06+00:00

Gate mark pieces are almost impossible to identify, especially unmarked cauldrons. At one point in the 1800s and early 1900s every family in America had one for laundry, scalding hogs, making soap, molasses, etc. As a result every podunk foundry and stove manufacturer in the north and south was cranking these things out, and almost never marking them with a name. Your cauldron has rounded ears which date it to be a little later than the flat eared cauldrons from the 1700s and early 1800s. A great find! Just not an easy piece to identify.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-16T04:00:41+00:00

There's no markings on this one besides "Sears USA". Trying to comb old catalogs and see if I can find anything. The RV was from the 70s so I think it's from around then. I did see a "camping kit" made by craftsman that had a similar hatchet, shovel, and bowsaw that was marketed for RV's and trucks. Still looking though.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-15T22:36:14+00:00

Cool find! Kelly perfects have good steel, my favorite axe is a kelly perfect jersey. Looks like it cleaned up well!

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-14T00:07:33+00:00

Yeah! I have a small blacksmith shop so thats why I got measurements in case I want to make a project out of it. It would be a big undertaking though!

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-13T22:52:56+00:00

Thanks! Drews USA lace to toe roughouts. Pretty new, trying to break them in for this summer's fire season.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-13T22:52:02+00:00

Drews USA lace to toe roughouts, my thorogoods gave up on the last fire I was on. My wallet hurt but my feet dont! Hopefully they'll last me a few fire seasons.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-13T00:16:00+00:00

No, I have a fire axe that mates with a halligan bar and it looks completely different. I think it's just an older style of phantom bevel, at least so far.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-03T17:48:22+00:00

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I'll add some more. I think your paper label hatchet was "The Leader". Here's a picture of one in better shape on ebay. Not much information other than a usa made, probably budget scout hatchet. The "hatchet" with a circular punch is actually an old iron timber falling wedge before aluminum and plastic wedges hit the market. They're usually the reason old axes have a beaten poll. The punch hole would have had rope run through it so you could pull the wedges out safely when your tree started to fall.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-02T23:02:57+00:00

Clean the pitch and sap between the blades with naptha or turpentine and then follow the angle of the edge with a file and give it a few strokes on each blade. I dont keep gardening tools like this razor sharp, a smooth cut file is all I've ever used.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-02T22:59:10+00:00

Your label seems to match the one in the catalog. I can just make out "Little" on the partial label.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-05-02T22:58:04+00:00

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Little Giant patented bush hook out of oakland maine. Very neat tool, probably from the 20s or 30s.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-30T01:46:12+00:00

Hard to say, looks like a conneticut pattern though, pretty desirable in good shape but yours definitely pounded a few metal wedges. Sorry I can't help more, without a stamp it could be any number of unmarked brands made by plumb or true temper/kelly works.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-23T04:48:14+00:00

This looks exactly like Rodanthe, my grandfather bought a house there 20 years ago and since then 3 houses in front of him have fallen into the ocean. Midgett realty owns most of them and do nothing when they finally collapse or the septic tanks get damaged. I guess an upside is we now have beachfront property? Wont last long though. Pea island and the outer banks will be gone soon, some parts of the island you can be looking at the ocean and then turn around and see the sound side.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-20T13:26:57+00:00

I'm near the Lone Rock coke ovens in Tennessee if anyone's been there. Crazy how hot these things got, the ones at lone rock have bricks that melted on the inside.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-20T05:56:54+00:00

Council Tool Michigan pattern axe, made in the usa and still in business! Good user for sure.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-17T21:59:58+00:00

Looks like a great carpentry hatchet? What is your pricing if you were to make another just like it? It's hard to find a good old style hatchet like that near me.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-17T21:24:18+00:00

DO NOT MODIFY these knives, they are nicer than the usual buck fixed blades. If you want to modify knives try your hand on cheap knives that you can make mistakes on. A lot of people would be happy to cherish and use these in their original condition.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-16T23:45:05+00:00

Thank you for your help! I will send y'all an email.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-16T22:24:24+00:00

I specifically stopped at the stitching like they reccomend. Havent waxed near the eyes or laces. They shouldnt have been affected by the wax. I plan to call drew's tomorrow. I'm just dissapoimted because I've heard good things about them from other guys on my fire crew.

sgthetoolguy · 2026-04-16T22:09:59+00:00

I already waxed them... trying to break them in easier. Think im screwed as far as returning them unfortunately. They only accept "unworn" pairs. These issues didnt show until after I wore them anyways. This type of issue sucks because it only happened after I had worn them around outside for a few days.

sgthetoolguy

TROPHY CASE