BEAR CREEK TOOLS

[Old Axeman]

Anybody remember this American company from Marshall North Carolina, and know what happened to them ? I met the owner, Charly (his spelling) Wilkins about 35-40 years ago and bought some axes and adzes from him. His tools were mostly made from A-2 tool steel, and hardened to 55-62 Rockwell. The ones I own, and still use, are very well made. He had axes, adzes, slicks, chisels, draw knives, scorps, froes, block(stock) knife, bench knives, bent and crooked knives, and replacement plane and spoke shaves irons. He had a foundry, machine shop, and blacksmith shop. For a while the big tool dealer from that time period, WOODCRAFT SUPPLY, was selling his tools. It is a shame, to my knowledge he did not mark his tools.
His Scandinavian carving axe and bowl adzes are some of my favorite users.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I can't say the name rings a bell, I'm afraid. Searching for him turns up only scant references, and no website. I was able to find the following on a PDF of tool makers but it was so old it still had Barco on it as an active business and they went under a number of years back, so this info is likely no longer up to date.

Bear Creek Tool Company
201 North Bear Creek Road
Marshall, NC 28753
Phone: (828) 649-2671