Zimmerer Beil

Since we have seen the documented sources calling it a "nail hole", it's sufficient and not a bit of trivia that stirs much contemplation beyond that for me. With that said and on the suggestion of Square_peg I tried it, as we can all see, and found it, let's say, deficient and choose to make use of the axes other features in an improvisation for stowing the axe in a handy way.

 

You are right when we go back to some earlier axes with such a piercing in the blade, the slot portion much more extended out one side of the hole, I guess there is something to it.

 

The closest thing I know of that might fit your description is this one which is a flooring brad, otherwise it would be a nice secure fit. But I found with the axe hanging from a pivot like that it of course will seek the balancing point with the handle swinging widely, not a very compact or efficient way of stowing it.

 

Yes, I've heard that some restorers hammer round nail-heads flat in imitation. How far back, boy, I don't know, could be as far back as the middel ages.
Great nails SP. I once asked the French smid about it and without a hesitation he said the nail heads have 5 facets. Anyway that was their way and proof that you'd been trained in the proper tradition, that is to say up through the guild, that is to say any self-respecting smid...

 

Even with a nail ideally suited the result is unsatisfactory.

 

Yes, and this gets us back to the ambiguity of the description, "nail hole", far from self evident. There is one scene lodged in my memory of a carpentry action, I believe out of Germany showing the preparation work going on. The stem all laid out for squaring up. The initial work is to strike the guide lines over the length of the stem connecting the laid-out dimensions on either end-grain surface. A line is attached at one of the ends, anchored to a nail tapped in with the poll of the handhacke. So good so far, the line gets snapped and then the crux of the moment is when that carpenter hooks the nail head in such a hole as we have here in his axe's blade and pries it out like that. The crucial thing is no undo force used either in setting that anchor nail or removing it so as awkward as the hole seems when we might think of pulling a nail meant to fasten something, it is perfectly reasonable as a help in getting out the nail that is only slightly set and there are untold equivalent conditions in the work of the carpenter as long as we keep in mind the context of that carpenter's work.

 

My guess is having slots out either side is a matter of versatility. The point being it's for light duty, little to no stress to the construction of the blade as it is or its handle. Of course I know nothing about it just having been spurred on by a vague memory.

 

You know, were the hole intended as a hanging mechanism the slot towards the back would be superfluous since the weight will always swing the bit up so unless the handle was supported with a counter balance that end of the slot never gets engaged. We probably can also rule out the possibility of a poor design because this hole is so common and poor design does not tend to persist.

I'm aware of heart-shaped stampings but not holes. Doesn't mean they never occur and I'm sure you have seen them. I have no explanation.