Log Cleaver ?

[RSteiner]

I was wondering if any body has knowledge of a device called a log cleaver, at least that is the name stamped on this device.

My father-in-law in Florida recently gave me this gadget not knowing what it was himself and not remembering where he got it from.
I will try to post a picture some time.

I will attempt a breif description.  It is a stamped piece of steel about 3/16 thick. It is about 10" long X 5" wide at one end for about 3 1/2 which tapers to 1 1/2 inches.  There are two sides alomst identical which are hindged together in the middle about 1 1/4" apart.  

The narrow ends are angled towards each other and have a bevel forming a dull knife edge, however the length of one side is not quite equal to the length of the other so these bevel edges don't quite meet.  There is a threaded bolt at the opposite end which goes inbetween the two sides that has a wing nut to limit the opening of the other end.

There is a logo stamped on the side showing the end of a round log with this device stuck into the side of the log and the words Log Cleaver.

I know a picture is worth a 1,000 words but I figure there must be some one who has a clue what this is and was used for, I know I don't have a clue.


Randy

[Bro. Noble]

Maybe it's some kind of wood splitter?  Someone's terriffic idea that didn't catch on :-/

[RSteiner]

That is quite possible.  What ever this is there are no tell tale signs of it ever being used.  I have looked for hammer marks or cuts and abrasions to give a clue how it may have been used.

It would be a very light duty tool if it was intended to be a wood splitter. However, the picture logo on it suggests this purpose.  

Randy

[RSteiner]

It appears the use of this product called a log cleaver may have been determined.  It appears to be a device was used to make an axe a more aggresive splitting tool.

It looks like the head of an axe was placed between the halves with the cutting edge flanked by the beveled edges of the cleaver.  Once the axe started the splitting action the sides of the cleaver would increase the angle of the axe head and amplify the splitting action.

I don't think the device ever made a big slpash in the wood splitting pool.  I guess back in the late 70's there were many devices sold to make splitting easier by hand then came hydraulics.

Randy