Please be advised: this website contains the names, images and voices of people who are now deceased.

Collections WA has a responsibility to preserve and make accessible the history and culture of Western Australia in all its various forms. The intention of Collections WA is to support research, and to reveal actions of the past that have impacted upon communities, families, and individuals.

In doing so, Collections WA acknowledges the need to respond sensitively and appropriately in cases when accessing this material may be confronting to Aboriginal visitors and clients.

Please also note: Some historical materials within this portal may include language or opinions that today are considered inappropriate or even offensive. Collections WA does not endorse this language and apologises for any distress caused.

Continue

Continue showing cultural advice

Stop showing cultural advice

Collections WA brings together collections from libraries, galleries, museums, archives, historical societies, cultural organisations, community groups and other collecting organisations across Western Australia.

Shire of Toodyay > Records

BLACKSMITH MADE TOOLS, SPLITTER HEADS X 2

« Prev Item Next Item »

c. 1880 - 1920

Subcollections

Overview

Two single piece splitters without handles

Historical information

A blacksmith-made block splitter is a hand-forged tool designed to split materials by applying focused high-force pressure through a wedge-shaped blade. Traditionally tools such as this would be used for splitting logs into firewood or other usable timber pieces. The heavy head provides the force needed for large logs; the wedge shape makes splitting efficient and precise.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-37-2021.11e)

Item type

Tools

Material

Metal

Contextual information

Part of a collection of 20 Blacksmithing tools made by a blacksmith, separated into groups a) - h).
Have been in storage for some time and have all been cleaned and oiled for preservation. Unknown history.

Year

Links to additional resources

https://www.thegrit.com.au/blog/block-splitters-hatchets-axes

The Grit webpage, "Block Splitters, Axes, and Hatchets Explained"

Last modified

Wednesday, 9 September, 2026

Completeness

94

Shire of Toodyay

Shire of Toodyay

Other items from Shire of Toodyay

splitter heads x 2

splitter heads x 2

splitter heads x 2, top edge view

splitter heads x 2, top edge view

Media reuse | View full size | Item feedback

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->

Full size unavailable (you're already seeing this image in its highest resolution available on Collections WA)

Loading...