Christmas present from the past

Stanley Dudkin from Cedar Run Inn gave me this for Christmas. Not many people would be excited about recieving such an object, but I knew a little something perhaps you do not. This object comes from the days of the CCC camps here in Leetonia. Although, I can't be sure this was used in Leetonia there were certainly ones just like it being used. Do you know what it is?

I will tell you what it is not. It is not a shingle spliter, or a cheese slicer. It would make a horrible torture device. Ah but, at last, it is a brush clearer, mostly for overhead small limbs on trails. During the days on non-electric and few gas-powered trimmers this was the tool of the trade. The blades I understand are still available and able to be sharpened over and over.

Stanley picked this up from an Amish man who sells a lot of these old tools. It is quite heavy about 30" long and when you pick it up you have a real desire to take a whack at something. Not a good Christmas present for children. I am not going to leave this hanging on the wall somewhere. It is definately going to come into use clearing some trails in Leetonia again. Thanks to Stanley for the great gift.
Mountain Girl, Paula, logging off.