Any Info on This Old True Temper Boy's Axe?

[CloudsRest]

Any idea how old this axe is or how it compares to the really old vintage True Temper Kelly axes? The head weighs about 2lbs 12oz, handle is ~28" and looks good. Does anyone know what time frame to look for if I'm hoping to find a solid axe with hard steel to compete with the modern Swedish offerings? Thanks!

 

[phantomknives]

all i can tell you is it's not as great as the older stuff but it's still good stuff, also it's forest service.

 

[A17]

The FSS means it's up to Forest Service Specs so it must be pretty good. Not the best of the best, but a good user axe.

 

[muleman77]

You'll have a hard time finding a better user. The steel is higher carbon than most axes, due to the FSS, and tools to those specs are very durable yet pretty easy to sharpen.

 

[CloudsRest]

You'll have a hard time finding a better user. The steel is higher carbon than most axes, due to the FSS, and tools to those specs are very durable yet pretty easy to sharpen.

Think it's worth $50 with a good handle?

 

[A17]

New handle's approx. $15 so the head's $35 which seems like a good price. To me it seems high but the most I've paid for an axe was $22 for a Plumb jersey and $30 for a broad axe. I am content to wait for the really good deals in thrift stores, etc and not pay the market price. But that's just me. I'd say get it. Life's short.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Think it's worth $50 with a good handle?

I assume It has high center line (the pics do not really show it).
2lbs 12oz? Usually, FSS Boy's size TTs are 2lbs 4oz.

 

[A17]

8oz handle perhaps?

 

[Square_peg]

Grab it. An FSS boys axe by True Temper is worth it. And that's in pretty nice shape. It's probably as good as any boys axe and surely better than the Swedish stuff.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

8oz handle perhaps?

This one had very dry haft
49-36=13oz
I estimate boy's size 28 inch handle should weight around 18 oz
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/pack-axe-recommendations.1584323/#post-18100146

I just hope it is not one of those:
www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-True-Temper-US-Forest-Service-FSS-2-1-2-lb-Boys-Camp-Axe-/233111820311?hash=item36468c1817%3Ag%3AdxoAAOSwl1xcTjXS&nma=true&si=wTTLdVrmmoXoY4f1IkFVlutOrSg%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

​

 

[Square_peg]

Hahahaha!!!

That's a Pulaski with the adze cut off. RARE BOYS AXE!!!!
Yeah, I'll say that's rare. lol

 

[Maine20]

Does it have eye ridges? Looks to be in great condition.

 

[muleman77]

This one had very dry haft
49-36=13oz
I estimate boy's size 28 inch handle should weight around 18 oz
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/pack-axe-recommendations.1584323/#post-18100146

I just hope it is not one of those:
www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-True-Temper-US-Forest-Service-FSS-2-1-2-lb-Boys-Camp-Axe-/233111820311?hash=item36468c1817%3Ag%3AdxoAAOSwl1xcTjXS&nma=true&si=wTTLdVrmmoXoY4f1IkFVlutOrSg%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

​

I've got a couple of these. They're still better than some options out there

 

[CloudsRest]

This one had very dry haft
49-36=13oz
I estimate boy's size 28 inch handle should weight around 18 oz
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/pack-axe-recommendations.1584323/#post-18100146

I just hope it is not one of those:
www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-True-Temper-US-Forest-Service-FSS-2-1-2-lb-Boys-Camp-Axe-/233111820311?hash=item36468c1817%3Ag%3AdxoAAOSwl1xcTjXS&nma=true&si=wTTLdVrmmoXoY4f1IkFVlutOrSg%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

​

Oh man, you just helped me figure out what's wrong with the Kelly axe I bought for $3 the other day! Luckily the one I'm looking at buying that I already uploaded photos for has a normal eye (I'm pretty sure the seller just didn't get an accurate weight because of the handle--laid it flat on the scale and tried to support the handle with his hand or something), but the one I already bought and was SO excited about, only to wonder why the butt had a giant lump and why the eye was symmetrical, is definitely a pulaski with the adze cut off. It also weighs 2lb 11oz. Oh well, I only paid $3 for it. You think it's worth rehandling? I can get a 28" cruiser handle for $17, but I've never used a straight handle boy's axe before, no idea how it would feel. I could just save myself the trouble and buy the $50 one...

 

[muleman77]

A cruiser handle may not really fit, pulaski eyes are almost identical to a regular full size double bit eye, the same length but slightly narrower.
As oversize as most handles are, likely a cruiser can be made to work with an oversize wedge though.

These things work fine really, and a straight handle isn't bad on a boys axe.

That said, a 28" Adirondack would be a neat way to set it up.

 

[A17]

+1 on what Muleman said. 28" Adirondack would be really cool.