✅ SOLVED Who dat on the Hoe?

[Dug]

Hi;

About a week ago I dug not one, but two hoe heads that were deep at the base of a large live oak and they were under one of the roots. One them seemed in better shape than the other so I took on the project of seeing if I could save it. I do my iron relics in vinegar baths and on about the 3rd scrubbing I noticed that there was something deeply stamped in the blade. There is a word and it seems to end in ORRY. Opposite or above it there is an anchor. And you can barely make it out but there is a sun burst about an inch over from the word and slightly above.

Anyone know the story on these markings and who the maker may be? As a swag I'm thinking the hoe head was made in Birmingham England since they use an anchor as a hallmark?

I have seen markings on axe heads before but this is a new one on me for hoe heads.

 

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[Red-Coat]

My guess is it reads “I & H. SORBY” and it’s from Sheffield, England.

Various members of the Sorby family established their own (unconnected) businesses in Sheffield, operating as cutlers, woodworking and edge tool manufacturers. One such company was founded by John Sorby, first registered as John Sorby and Sons in 1797. He made edge tools, joiners tools, saws, sheep shears, files and followed the family tradition by being appointed Master Cutler in 1806.

After his retirement his two sons, John and Henry, continued the business and started to use the trade mark “I & H Sorby”. At that time there was no particular distinction between ‘J’ and ‘I’, so ‘John’ was frequently written as ‘Iohn’.

Although John Sorby & Sons was acquired in 1849 by Lockwood Brothers, then by Turner, Naylor and Co and then again by William Marples, the “I & H Sorby’’ mark was still being used well into the twentieth century.

I don’t know if they made hoes, but certainly they made adzes. Could you see that item as being an adze rather than a hoe?

 

[Dug]

My guess is it reads “I & H. SORBY” and it’s from Sheffield, England.

Various members of the Sorby family established their own (unconnected) businesses in Sheffield, operating as cutlers, woodworking and edge tool manufacturers. One such company was founded by John Sorby, first registered as John Sorby and Sons in 1797. He made edge tools, joiners tools, saws, sheep shears, files and followed the family tradition by being appointed Master Cutler in 1806.

After his retirement his two sons, John and Henry, continued the business and started to use the trade mark “I & H Sorby”. At that time there was no particular distinction between ‘J’ and ‘I’, so ‘John’ was frequently written as ‘Iohn’.

Although John Sorby & Sons was acquired in 1849 by Lockwood Brothers, then by Turner, Naylor and Co and then again by William Marples, the “I & H Sorby’’ mark was still being used well into the twentieth century.

I don’t know if they made hoes, but certainly they made adzes. Could you see that item as being an adze rather than a hoe?

Thanks so much! I don't know the distinction between Hoes and Adzes and may have misidentified it in my post. The house site dated to the mid 19th century so no clue how old this is tool is. There is a seam line on the inside of where the handle would have attached almost as if the metal was rolled when made.

Any clue what the anchor and sun symbols were for?

 

[BigWaveDave]

Just gotta say this....
Dug, that’s a great find.....
And Red-Coat, you are an absolute rock star when it comes to helping guys out.

 

[Red-Coat]

Thanks so much! I don't know the distinction between Hoes and Adzes and may have misidentified it in my post. The house site dated to the mid 19th century so no clue how old this is tool is. There is a seam line on the inside of where the handle would have attached almost as if the metal was rolled when made.

Any clue what the anchor and sun symbols were for?

You're most welcome, Dug. No idea about the sun and the anchor. Sorby used a number of sub-brand trademarks on various lines within their range and these are the ones I'm aware of:



It's quite possible there are other undocumented/less well documented marks, marks used specifically for export, or marks transferred across from their subsequent ownership by the other companies I mentioned.


A hoe is essentially the agricultural equivalent of the adze used for woodworking. Most usually, the woodworking adze will be of heavier construction and have at least some curvature, if only on the section closest to the blade, to improve its ease of use.