Axe Heads for sale

crbnSteeladdict said:
Amazing part of hunting for tools are those life stories you hear. The bigger pile of tools for sale the more interesting life seller has had.
Click to expand...
An huge element of truth in that. What are we going to uncover in garages and workshops 50 years from now? Over the years I've met a few failing-health old codgers who sought 'good homes' for their treasured tools whereby befriending a new and appreciative caretaker was more important than financial gain. Lifelong trades people and tool users don't part with their gear while they're alive (if they've got their health and all their marbles) but you can count on their coddled offspring being overjoyed at being able to cash-in on otherwise worthless 'junk' (by their definition), at garage or Estate sales and auctions.
 
300Six said:
An huge element of truth in that. What are we going to uncover in garages and workshops 50 years from now? Over the years I've met a few failing-health old codgers who sought 'good homes' for their treasured tools whereby befriending a new and appreciative caretaker was more important than financial gain. Lifelong trades people and tool users don't part with their gear while they're alive (if they've got their health and all their marbles) but you can count on their coddled offspring being overjoyed at being able to cash-in on otherwise worthless 'junk' (by their definition), at garage or Estate sales and auctions.
Click to expand...

I agree and can attest to that.
As a person in the trades and before that farms and tobacco, I find myself using terms such as "loyal" to my tools. Most especially the tools used and proven to be worthy and dependable to me.
 
jblyttle said:
Y

You are not looking very hard. I have several USA made heads in very good shape under $20, and a few under $15.
Click to expand...

I was on ebay and discovered a collins homestead axe. I was reading about it and it said COLLINS AXE on the head and was blue. The fourm said the newer ones were lesser quality. Whats your take?
 
AlexT808 said:
I was on ebay and discovered a collins homestead axe. I was reading about it and it said COLLINS AXE on the head and was blue. The fourm said the newer ones were lesser quality. Whats your take?
Click to expand...
Most newer ones are lesser quality. But that doesn't need to mean poor quality. If priced well they can still be good values.
 
AlexT808 said:
I was on ebay and discovered a collins homestead axe. I was reading about it and it said COLLINS AXE on the head and was blue. The fourm said the newer ones were lesser quality. Whats your take?
Click to expand...

The later model Homesteads have flat cheeks rather than convex cheeks. The flat cheeks penetrate a little further but they don't "pop the chip", making them sticky and harder to use. Better to find an old axe with convex cheeks (also called a high centerline).

Look for an axe where the heel and toe aren't excessively worn and the bit isn't too round (a sign of wear). Also look for polls that aren't mushroomed or show signs of recently having the mushrooming filed off. Virtually any American or Canadian made axe with those features will be an excellent axe.

Some brands:
True Temper Flint Edge - there are tons of these out there and you will never need an axe better than this.
Kelly Perfect - even better than than a Flint Edge but condition and pattern are more important when choosing between the two. Get a pattern you want in good condition.
Plumb - excellent axes and right up there with the above.
Collins Legitimus - you've already keyed in on this line. A good choice. Look for the condition stated above.

Too many other good brands to list them here. Just remember:
1 - Made in USA or Canada
2 - Convex cheeks
3 - Not excessively worn heel or toe
4 - Not mushroomed poll
5 - Not mis-shapen/warped eye
6 - Bit not worked on a bench grinder (can ruin temper)
 
Miller '72 said:
West Germany.
Before the wall came down.
Historically speaking that must have been incredible.
Click to expand...
I couldn't believe it when the wall came down. It wasn't something that any one would consider possible when I was there. I was state side when it happened.

I was over there in the 60's when I was young and again in the 70's. A few years at a time. You could say I came of age over there in the 70's. Turned into a teenager and was blessed to live in a country with no drinking age. Spent way to much time at local watering holes and became well versed in various forms of debauchery. I was living the dream of every teenage boy, just didn't know it....
 
garry3 said:
I couldn't believe it when the wall came down. It wasn't something that any one would consider possible when I was there. I was state side when it happened.
Click to expand...

The People of Germany took their inspiration from John Runnings, a Canadian ex-pat WWII vet living in Seattle. He attacked the wall relentlessly and was put in an East German prison for his efforts. He got out and went back at it.

http://cedarriverforge.com/johnrunnings/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Runnings

image9.jpg


I knew John. He was a fixture in U-District when I attended UW. I saw him many times but only spoke to him a few times. We all thought he was half crazy. But look what he went on to do - bring down the Berlin Wall.
 
garry3 said:
I couldn't believe it when the wall came down. It wasn't something that any one would consider possible when I was there. I was state side when it happened.

I was over there in the 60's when I was young and again in the 70's. A few years at a time. You could say I came of age over there in the 70's. Turned into a teenager and was blessed to live in a country with no drinking age. Spent way to much time at local watering holes and became well versed in various forms of debauchery. I was living the dream of every teenage boy, just didn't know it....
Click to expand...

Debauchery...I had the same goals when I was in those teenage years...and my twenties.
Amazing you had that opportunity to live, grow up in another country, culture.

I remember the surprise we all felt here in the US when the wall started coming down in almost organised, protest areas.
Then the Reagan proclamation to Gorbachev.


Square_peg said:
The People of Germany took their inspiration from John Runnings, a Canadian ex-pat WWII vet living in Seattle. He attacked the wall relentlessly and was put in an East German prison for his efforts. He got out and went back at it.

http://cedarriverforge.com/johnrunnings/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Runnings

image9.jpg


I knew John. He was a fixture in U-District when I attended UW. I saw him many times but only spoke to him a few times. We all thought he was half crazy. But look what he went on to do - bring down the Berlin Wall.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the link!
I never heard of this gentleman and what an amazing story of course...even if he was slightly off, change always requires the courage and action of the people.

Thanks for sharing your stories, I for one greatly appreciate it.
 
AlexT808 said:
Is collins or True temper Kelly better in quality.
Click to expand...
I prefer True Temper, unless the Collins is a Legitimus. That was Collins premium line and they are just that in my experience.
True Temper never seems to disappoint but there was just a whole bunch of good manufacturers.
 
AlexT808 said:
Is collins or True temper Kelly better in quality.
Click to expand...

My take on this is that Collins had essentially 3 main periods of manufacture that differed in quality. Pre-1966 Collins axes are either good or great depending on the model line. Legitimus stamps are top line. Plain 'Collins' stamps are decent - equivalent to a Kelly Woodslasher. Most of this period's Collins axes will have convex cheeks.

I don't know exactly when Collins axes started being made with flat cheeks. I think it was about the time that Mann bought out Collins. At this point the Legitimus name seems to disappear. Homestead and Commander lines remain but are made with flat cheeks.

In 2003 Mann Edge Tool sold out and Collins manufacture moved to Mexico. Quality dropped again. I've found the recently sold Collins stuff to be misshapen and have poor/spotty heat treat. The metal itself is suspect.

So to compare with True Temper we need to look at what era the axes were made. Most Collins axes found on the used market today are from the Mann era, have flat cheeks and moderately good steel - maybe equivalent to Woodslasher steel (but with crappy flat cheeks). Most of the True Temper stuff out there has both better steel and better form than most of the Collins stuff out there.

But you can't make a blanket statement about which maker is 'better' because there are too many variables. Only compare axe to axe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top