Axe won by Tom Kirk for woodchopping
Object No. H10208
Tom Kirk grew up at Mt Wilson, surrounded by trees and immersed in a family culture that valued and selectively exploited the forest. He worked in his father's sawmill alongside his brothers and became a world champion axeman. With one brother, he also won wood-sawing competitions. The objects he donated to the Museum represent his participation and achievements in these entertaining contests of strength and skill. They also represent the era in which Tom grew up, before chain saws greatly reduced the labour involved in timber-getting and before forests were routinely clear-felled, destroying habitat and leading to erosion and pest incursion. The axe, saw, wedge and tree-felling board represent the tools that Tom and fellow contestants used in competitions. The axe is also a prize that he valued and kept, along with the ribbons and medals, and the program gives us a glimpse of how the competitions were organised and of the respect accorded to past winners and officials. The clothing represents the uniformity of dress expected of the axemen. The words 'Hytest Axe' on one shirt, along with sponsors' names on several ribbons and one medal, remind us that amateur sport has long needed commercial sponsors to be viable. Debbie Rudder, Curator, 2013
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Summary
Object Statement
Woodchopping axe and cover, 'Champion Axe' no.5, steel / wood / leather / paper, made by Fayette R Plumb Inc, Philadelphia or St Louis, United States of America, 1933-1942, awarded to Tom Kirk, place unknown, 1950
Physical Description
Woodchopping axe and cover, "Champion Axe" No.5, , steel / wood / leather, made by Fayette R Plumb Inc., Philadelphia or St Louis, United States of America, 1933-1942, part of Tom Kirk Collection This single-blade axe has a curved wooden handle and a steel head stamped with the Plumb Champion Axe logo. The logo includes an axeman standing on a log, axe held in mid-swing as if competing in an under-hand contest, with a large wax seal behind him. The number 5 stamped on the head probably indicates that its weight is five pounds.
DIMENSIONS
Width
180 mm
Depth
790 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The axe was made by Fayette R Plumb Inc at Philadelphia or St Louis in the USA between 1933 and 1942. The axe is said to have been named for Australian champion axeman Peter McLaren, who used a Plumb axe to win the world title in 1911. He visited the USA to compete and give exhibitions of his skill. Americans were so impressed that he became a representative for the Plumb company and lectured in forestry at prestigious universities and colleges. He stayed in the USA until he retired.
HISTORY
Notes
The axe was presented to Tom Kirk when he won the world championship standing chop in 1950. Tom Kirk's grandfather, Robert Kirk, settled at Mt Wilson in the Blue Mountains of NSW in the 1870s. His son Sydney owned a sawmill near Waterfall Creek, and his sons worked with him. Sydney's seventh child was named Septimus Boyd Wilson Kirk but was known as Tom. His brother Eric, known as Peter, competed with Tom in sawing competitions. Tom lived in the Mt Wilson area for his whole life (1914-2001) and won many chopping and sawing contests between 1929 and 1963, in both Australia and the USA.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Tom Kirk, 1984
Acquisition Date
13 April 1984
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