Axe info

Any idea who the maker is of this big boy? Between 3.5 and 4 pounds. No visible markings.
 

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devilpig said:
Well, I'm technically new here though I've been a lurker on and off for years.

I've been learning all I can in regards to cabin building using only hand tools, the most important tool being an axe. This has led to me going a little overboard (as I tend to do with hobbies). Anyways, with my new found hobby of collecting/restoring/re-handling axes I've tried to put a little info together. This is just in the preliminary stages, mind you.

I'm sure there are some of you who are much more knowledgeable on this topic than me so feel free to share some info.

I've tried to make a list of the most commonly found axes for collectors or just those who don't put too much confidence in contemporary axes (for good reason in most cases). In the list I've tried to include the city and state for US made axes, and country of origin for axes made abroad. The list isn't complete, but I thought I'd go ahead and share it with you guys. I'll edit it as I find more info and if any of you have any info to add, feel free to let me know and I'll edit accordingly.

Here's the list as it sits now (if you're reading this at a later date it may have changed):


______________________________________________________________
CURRENTLY PRODUCED

Aberl (Germany) http://www.aberl.info/
Barco Industries (Reading, PA) http://www.barcotools.com
-----Now producing the "Kelly" branding of axes that were previously made by other companies
Bahco (Sweden) http://www.bahco.us
-----New production axes are apparently made in Germany...but there is some discrepancy here
Bark River Knife & Tool (Escanaba, MI) http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/
-----Also provide axe profiling, grinding, and sharpening services ***these services are highly recommended***
Council Tool Company (Lake Waccamaw, NC) http://www.counciltool.com/
Craftsman (USA?) http://www.sears.com/
Estwing (Rockford, IL) http://www.estwing.com/
Firestone (Tucson, AZ) http://www.mcgowanmfg.com/index.cfm?category=1
Fiskars (Finland) http://www3.fiskars.com/
Fitzi (Switzerland) http://www.werkzeugschmied.ch/
Forrest Tool Company (Durango, CO) http://www.maxax.com/
Gransfors Bruks (Sweden) http://www.gransfors.com/
Hults Bruks (H.B.) (Sweden) http://www.hultaforsgroup.com/
-----Now part of Hultafors Group
Husqvarna (Sweden) http://www.husqvarna.com/us/
-----These are re-branded Wetterlings axes (however, quite a bit cheaper than regular Wetterlings :) )
Leborgne (France)http://www.leborgne.fr/index_en.html
Lee Reeves (Shattuck, OK) http://ssidders.tripod.com/id69.htm
Leonhard Müller & Söhne (Austria) http://www.mueller-hammerwerk.at/hammerwerk/index.html
Marble's (USA?) ???
-----I know these are still produced, though I can't find a manufacturers website
Ochsenkopf Äxte (Germany) http://www.gedore.de/en/products/group_overview.html?pm_id=57412&oe_opt[list_set]=28362,57412
-----"Ox Head" branding for USA market
-----Stihl re-brands these axes for the US market (and possibly other countries?)...they use the "Iltis" line of Ochsenkopf axes
Pfeil Tools (Switzerland) http://www.pfeiltools.ch/
Plumb (Philadelphia, PA) http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/plumb/index.cfm
-----Produced "Keen Kutter" for a time in addition to Kelly
-----Current production is by Cooper tools with their headquarters in Houston, TX
Roughneck (UK) http://www.olympia-tools.co.uk/
Snow & Nealley (Brewer, ME) http://www.snowandnealley.com/
Stihl (Germany) http://stihl.com/
-----These are rebranded Ochsenkopf "Ilsit" axes
-----Also, Stihl previously sold re-branded Fiskars axes....as far as I know they no longer do
Tosa Uchi Hamono (Japan) http://www.cartercutlery.com/imported-forestry-tools
True Temper (USA?) http://www.amestruetemper.com/index.html
Tuatahi Axes (New Zealand) http://www.tuatahiaxes.com/
-----Highly regarded for their race axes, but make work axes as well
Vaughan (USA?) http://hammernet.com/vaughan/pages/products/hatchets-axes.php
-----Produce the "Supersteel" and "Sub-Zero" brandings
Wetterlings (Sweden) http://www.wetterlings.com/
-----Technically owned by Gransfors Bruks now, however it still operates independently

________________________________________________________________________________________

NO LONGER PRODUCED

A. Keys (USA?)
A. Tredway & Sons Hardware Company (Dubuque, IO)
-----Sold "Lincoln" brand axes that were produced by Mann Edge Tool Co.
American Axe & Tool Company (AA&T Co.)(Glassport, PA)
American Fork & Hoe (Cleveland, OH)
-----Produced hatchets for US Military around WWII
Arvika (Sweden)
Bingham's Best Brand (BBB) (Cleveland, OH)
Barker Rose & Kimball Inc. (Elmira, NY)
-----"Cayuga" branding....Indian head logo
Belknap (Louisville, KY)
-----"Bluegrass" branding
Blood Axe Factory (Ballston & Bloodville, NY)
Bridgeport (Bridgeport, CT)
Collins (Collinsville, CT)
-----"Legitimus" branding
-----"Homestead" branding
-----Was bought by Mann Edge Tool Co. and relocated to Lewistown, PA
Crusader (USA?)
D.R. Barton (Rochester, NY)
Douglas (USA?)
Dunlap (USA)
Dunlap & Madeira (Chambersburg, PA)
E.C. Simmons (St. Louis, MO)
-----"Keen Kutter" branding
E. Rogers (USA?)
Elwell (UK)
Germantown (G.T.W.) (Germantown, PA)
-----Used a keystone shaped logo with "GTW" inside
Hammond (Philadelphia, PA)
H.S.B. (USA?)
H.S.Cc (Germany)
H.S.W. (Sweden)
Holmes (Pittsburgh, PA)
Hytest (Australia)
J. Fowler Company Ltd. (St. John, New Brunswick, Canada)
J. M. Warren (Troy, NY)
Kelly Axe & Tool Company (Charleston, WV)
-----Used "True Temper" branding
-----Made "Lincoln" branded axes after Mann Edge Tool Co. stopped
-----"Black Raven" branding
-----Was bought by American Fork & Hoe Co. and continued using the Kelly name for axes
-----Produced the "Keen Kutter" line for a period of time
Kelley How Thomson (Duluth, MN)
-----"Hickory" branding
Kretschmer - Tredway Company (Dubuque, IO)
-----Sold "Lincoln" brand axes that were produced by Mann Edge Tool Co.
Lake Side (USA?)
M. Horton (USA?)
Mann Edge Tool Company (Lewistown, PA)
-----"Collins" branding
-----"Norlund" axe heads
-----Produced "Lincoln" Axes for various companies/distributors
Marshall Wells Hardware Company (M.W.H. Co.)(Duluth, MN)
Mound City (St. Louis, MO)
Norlund (Lewistown, PA)
-----Axe heads were made for Norlund by Mann Edge Tool Co. in Lewistown, PA originally
-----Norlund's went out of business and the brand has been used by various companies since
Pioneer (USA?)
Powell Tool Company (Cleveland, OH)
Sager Chemical Axes
-----Brand under the Warren Axe & Tool moniker
-----The "chemical" part of the name comes from the chemical treatment of the axe heads that was claimed to increase life and corrosion resistance
Sandvik (Sweden)
Schreiber, Conchar & Westphal Company (Dubuque, IO)
-----Sold "Lincoln" brand axes that were produced by Mann Edge Tool Co.
Simmons & Company (Cohoes, NY)
St. Pierre (Worcester, MA)
Stanley (USA?)
Underhill Edge Tool Company (Boston, MA)
W. Beatty & Son (Rochester, NY)
Wards (USA?)
Warren Axe & Tool Company (USA?)
William Beatty (Chester, PA)
Winchester (USA?)
______________________________________________________________


For US made axes that I wasn't sure of the city and state I put a ? next to the USA as the location. Admittedly, some of the axe manufacturers listed may have USA listed next to them and actually be made abroad. I did this simply because most of the axes found stateside are made here, so it was a bit of an assumption. Like I said before, if I find new info I will change things as necessary. Also it should be noted that many of the "makers" listed may simply be distributors that had the axes made for them and marked with their information. I have noted this below the "makers" if it was something I was aware of. For axes made abroad I have simply used the country of origin without specifying city or town.

Some manufacturers moved locations, were sold to other companies, etc. which, without writing a book, is hard to note.

One thing I'd really like help with is trying to differentiate "models" from manufacturers. Some of the makers I have listed (such as Pioneer) I believe to be a model of axe rather than a manufacturer. But I'm not sure on some of them, so I will leave them until I figure it out. Some of the seemingly "simple" ones to figure out such as Stanley, Craftsman, and Winchester I didn't want to simply list the tool company's location due to the fact that I wasn't sure if they out-sourced the making of the axes or not. More or less I haven't taken the time to find out, but didn't want to eat crow when I found out otherwise if I was wrong.

I figure
Click to expand...
Lakeside was a private label for Montgomery Ward
 
I have a question about an axe made in sweden rockaway pattern name above made in sweden is fairway it an made in sweden is in a box and below that is 3 1/2 lbs 1/2 being pitted a little but that is what i think it is. it is in fair shape. I can put a pic on here if it would help. i joined this to try and figure out more about this axe . this is all new to me,Thanks
 
jroberts said:
I have a question about an axe made in sweden rockaway pattern name above made in sweden is fairway it an made in sweden is in a box and below that is 3 1/2 lbs 1/2 being pitted a little but that is what i think it is. it is in fair shape. I can put a pic on here if it would help. i joined this to try and figure out more about this axe . this is all new to me,Thanks
Click to expand...
 
jroberts said:
I have a question about an axe made in sweden rockaway pattern name above made in sweden is fairway it an made in sweden is in a box and below that is 3 1/2 lbs 1/2 being pitted a little but that is what i think it is. it is in fair shape. I can put a pic on here if it would help. i joined this to try and figure out more about this axe . this is all new to me,Thanks
Click to expand...
You will definitely need to post pictures.
I can tell you that it's most likely not a Rockaway pattern, as it's actually a somewhat uncommon pattern and most " Rockaway " axes have been misidentified as such.
 
jroberts said:
https://imgur.com/a/Reg1ukI

Here is the link to my axe photos. Sorry it has taken a few days to get them uploaded.
Click to expand...
Your pictures.

OomOSk9.jpeg

vJzBoT8.jpeg
 
The reason i thought it was a rockaway pattern was pictures i seen on the internet,axe pattern pictures. My grandkids girlfriend help me get the pictures on here. i dont know how to do much on here just to dam old but i sure would like to know more about the axe,
 
jroberts said:
The reason i thought it was a rockaway pattern was pictures i seen on the internet,axe pattern pictures. My grandkids girlfriend help me get the pictures on here. i dont know how to do much on here just to dam old but i sure would like to know more about the axe,
Click to expand...
It is kind of Swedish variation of Jersey/Kentucky pattern. I suspect it was made in 1970ies or 80ies. Do you see any epoxy (possibly brownish red) in the eye?
 
no it did not have a handle in when i got it. it was just in a bunch of junk. where i live you dont see many swedish made axes.in oklahoma it is common for true temper kelly collins craftsman etc. but here lately i have run on to 2 hb one a boys axe and the other a hatchet. but all good axes and hatchets is getting harder to come by.
 
jroberts said:
The reason i thought it was a rockaway pattern was pictures i seen on the internet,axe pattern pictures. My grandkids girlfriend help me get the pictures on here. i dont know how to do much on here just to dam old but i sure would like to know more about the axe,
Click to expand...
The charts online don't properly capture the exact subtle details that differentiate various patterns which can of course have variations from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The Rockaway is one of the most commonly misidentified patterns if not the most.
 
I have a double bit with no markings I have found. It has 4 eye ridges. My Kelly perfect has 6.
I assume it too is a TT, were 4 ridges older then 6 ?
What years were eye ridges used? The start was 1959 I think?
 
Hello All, hoping to gain some information on this small axe. Age and more importantly any insight into all the small stampings.
I love the feel of it, I applied linseed oil to the shaft, it was thirsty.
Cheers Trent
 
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