Andrew Carnegie and Axes

[Ernest DuBois]

I must admit not being up to date on the trends in popular culture and how axes might relate, even with the occasional hints coming by in places like this forum, so I had no idea of the extent axes have been swept up in it. I've just always liked axes and using them in a range of applications, how they are made, the place in history they occupy to a lesser degree. So it was a surprise to me seeing an article on axes and their popularity in the New York Times https://nyti.ms/2S5Bccs
Neither am I a collector or investor or interested in simple acquisition or flipping them for a profit. I even question the number hanging in my own modest rack because it is difficult putting them all to proper use which makes me feel guilty. Still, the whole thing reminded me of the story of Andrew Carnegie who stopped outside his office building there in New York City one evening in 1929 for a shoe shine and was advised by the shoeshine boy to buy stocks. He went into his office after that and instructed his broker to sell as fast as possible because if even the shoeshine boy was getting in on the market it was the best sign that the time was right to get out. Well axe flippers, I'd say, when the NY Times has got wind of things, your market has peaked.

 

[Fmont]

I hope so

Eta: I know it sounds selfish. Don't care.

 

[Square_peg]

Interesting.

 

[BamaDADx3]

Good! More for me!!! Ya'll just send all your excess down to Sweet Home Alabama! Ill give them a good home where they will be loved, adored, and cherished.

 

[Hairy Clipper]

I must admit not being up to date on the trends in popular culture and how axes might relate, even with the occasional hints coming by in places like this forum, so I had no idea of the extent axes have been swept up in it. I've just always liked axes and using them in a range of applications, how they are made, the place in history they occupy to a lesser degree. So it was a surprise to me seeing an article on axes and their popularity in the New York Times https://nyti.ms/2S5Bccs
Neither am I a collector or investor or interested in simple acquisition or flipping them for a profit. I even question the number hanging in my own modest rack because it is difficult putting them all to proper use which makes me feel guilty. Still, the whole thing reminded me of the story of Andrew Carnegie who stopped outside his office building there in New York City one evening in 1929 for a shoe shine and was advised by the shoeshine boy to buy stocks. He went into his office after that and instructed his broker to sell as fast as possible because if even the shoeshine boy was getting in on the market it was the best sign that the time was right to get out. Well axe flippers, I'd say, when the NY Times has got wind of things, your market has peaked.

Ernest-I find it interesting that you start this thread and the timing of it. My collection of axes is much like yours in that I do not collect them for collecting's sake, I acquire axes that I can and do use. Over the last couple of years I have been looking high and low for a Plumb hewing hatchet with a left hand bevel. Since finding axes or hatchets around this part of Minnesota is near impossible, finding a specific item might take longer than an old guy like me has left on this orb. Consequently, I cruise the daily listing of a popular online auction site. While it is fun looking at all the different axes that are out there in the world, finding what I have been looking for is still not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination and the search continues. The thing that has struck me in the last few weeks is that there appears to be more axes for sale and lower pricing, especially on some that were priced in the upper part of a $1,000.00 listing numbers. This is not meant to deflate anyone's ego or price of what they have, but, factually, it is way out of my price range for an axe. A fine English double barrel 28 bore priced there on the other hand would get my attention quickly. So, I continue my search and rescue mission for that Plum of a Plumb. Andrew Carnegie understood human nature quite well.

 

[A17]

Just flip a right handed hatchet’s head around and it’ll be a lefty.

 

[jake pogg]

Good anthropology there,Ernest!

 

[phantomknives]

that article made me a bit uneasy, but hey at least our axes will be cheaper in a bit. i never knew best made was thriving, i thought it was a one man shop like beaver tooth

 

[Hairy Clipper]

Just flip a right handed hatchet’s head around and it’ll be a lefty.

Earlier this year I asked Josh about the eye of a hatchet he was working on and whether the eye would work either way. As a result I have been watching for a right bevel, too.

 

[garry3]

I couldn't read it but I am setting on a couple of them.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

I couldn't read it but I am setting on a couple of them.

You may be locked out by a pay wall but it's a wall that is easily surmountable. If worth a bit of effort, the first route you can try is using what's called "startpage". There you can enter an address and use an anonymous viewing option. Another way is to stake out your assent through Tor, it means a download and installation and for double security even go through "startpage" on Tor. Let's face it we can better wise up to all the (corporate) surveillance we are subjected to at internet, (it's no paranoia, believe me, just common sense).

 

[Square_peg]

Just clear your cookies and you get 5 new free views for the NYT.

 

[Fmont]

My thing about it, to elaborate just a little, is this: I don't want people fad buying at high prices, because it goes into the closet when it's not cool anymore, is forgotten, or the person paid so much for it that they take offense at the "low-ball" offers they'll get if they try and sell it in the future. The forgotten in a closet part is what really annoys me.

I'll also say the success of Best Made Co. is astonishing to me. It's hard for me to fathom how careless and stupid many consumers are. 10 seconds of googling would reveal that any of those products can be had for a third the cost minus the branding. Why people would be looking to the heart of New York City (where they started) for these type of items just boggles the mind. I imagine they will go the way of "The Sharper Image" before long, but they will have fleeced a lot of consumers before they do so.

 

[garry3]

With out reading the article I can say that the market is really being fueled by the bush craft guys. If that movement slows down the market will crash. I am of the opinion that the vintage stuff is still under appreciated, except for the etched axes with fancy stamps. I really thought that they would come around and be more educated on what a premium axe is but that does not seem to be the case. The made in Sweden and Norlund stuff still going for more than a really good vintage USA made premium quality axe. It kind of iterates me if I want to sell something. So I will flip a Norlund or a Swedish head but am setting on a modest supply of really nice
user type vintage USA steel.

 

[jake pogg]

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'll also say the success of Best Made Co. is astonishing to me. It's hard for me to fathom how careless and stupid many consumers are. 10 seconds of googling would reveal that any of those products can be had for a third the cost minus the branding. Why people would be looking to the heart of New York City (where they started) for these type of items just boggles the mind. I imagine they will go the way of "The Sharper Image" before long, but they will have fleeced a lot of consumers before they do so.

They sell unpainted ones at a normal market rate. A lot of us do undervalue the amount of labor involved in doing a good paint job. There's actually a lot of work involved, so the upcharge isn't totally unreasonable, just frivolous. Remember, on the other hand, though, that a while back Nordstrom was selling leather covered rocks for hundreds of dollars and sold out. There's a lot to be said for careful brand management directed at people with more money than sense.

 

[Square_peg]

With out reading the article I can say that the market is really being fueled by the bush craft guys. If that movement slows down the market will crash. I am of the opinion that the vintage stuff is still under appreciated, except for the etched axes with fancy stamps. I really thought that they would come around and be more educated on what a premium axe is but that does not seem to be the case. The made in Sweden and Norlund stuff still going for more than a really good vintage USA made premium quality axe. It kind of iterates me if I want to sell something. So I will flip a Norlund or a Swedish head but am setting on a modest supply of really nice
user type vintage USA steel.

This is where I'm at as well.

 

[Peck Price]

Like most of you I have been around hand tools my whole life. Axes were always present, farming, camping, hunting etc. This web page actually fueled my fascination with axes and I have bought a bunch in the last 8 years. My addiction is fueled by the hunt and the quest for information. I buy most of my axes at rock bottom prices at flea markets and yard sales. I don’t have any display pieces. I am not against the concept at all. I have had a couple of really nice axes but gave them to friends who appreciate them for what they are. Fads come and go and I have been caught up in several. This is just random commentary btw. I can’t imagine the fad affecting prices here in the wild. Hopefully this axe fad will reconnect some people back to nature and the Good Lord knows our society needs connecting to something substantial.

 

[garry3]

They sell unpainted ones at a normal market rate. A lot of us do undervalue the amount of labor involved in doing a good paint job. There's actually a lot of work involved, so the upcharge isn't totally unreasonable, just frivolous. Remember, on the other hand, though, that a while back Nordstrom was selling leather covered rocks for hundreds of dollars and sold out. There's a lot to be said for careful brand management directed at people with more money than sense.

With just a little bit of know how and minimum skills...$8.99

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

With just a little bit of know how and minimum skills...$8.99

That may be, but if every hour spent painting cost you minimum wage rate, you'd creep up to a higher price pretty darn quick. Plus the paint itself isn't free, so you have to buy that, too. If you already have the colors you want kicking around, great. But that's still money you spent previously and it does need to be factored in when considering total cost. DIY is great, and can definitely save you a lot of money. Awesome. But that's not a valid reason to criticize someone for offering a service to those who don't have the space, equipment, time, materials, know-how...or just inclination to do it themselves. Would I buy one of their expensive painted axes? Nope. I don't care for it enough to warrant the cost on the one hand OR the effort on the other, so I run 'em unpainted since it's just a cosmetic flourish. But I do have to be fair and acknowledge that the cost of the upcharge isn't unreasonable for a professionally done paint job. Labor ain't free.