Broad Axes

B

BenKeith

Joined
May 31, 2021
Messages
6
I have a number of axes I would like to get help with identifying and if they are worth anything or not.
I will start with this one, a broad (hewing) axe by W. Bradley, Caststeel No.1. It has the makers name and info stamped into it but several others either don't have it, or it's not readable Now, when I say a number, I haven't counted them but there is at least 20 or more. One I have hanging on the wall has an offset head, I think they call it a goose wing or something like that, and looks like one that was made on the style of the German axes from the late 1700's.
I have a few that are 13"-15" wide or so, and have a concaved cutting edge. A couple are marked Council but can't find anything on those.
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I guess this site won't let you post a pictured directly without going through a 3rd party source
 
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I think paid members can upload directly. I hope you post some more photos via photo bucket or wherever. Any broad axe in serviceable condition is worth something.
 
OK, what are these called? I have several of these, some with markings, some without. This has Council on it.
Most look much older than this one.

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Photobucket is not working out. They keep popping up something about hosting not allowed, so I guess this will be over about as fast as it started.
 
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Yep, I need another axe, this does not include a couple extremely old ones in the house on the wall or all the antique wood working tools.
The white stickers are some I've put on them while trying to info on them that just happen to be on that side.
One of the heads without a handle is an early True Temper Kelly I'm going to use. When you tap it, it rings like a church bell. The best sounding temper I've ever heard in a felling axe. A lot of them have a nice sound, but not like that one.
These are all old to very old, no modern stuff in there. A couple of modern handles but no heads.
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I figured it's time to dig them out of the corners and put something up to display them, but after getting them spread out, that's going to be hard to do where I had planed on doing it.
 
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Thanks Bob for that information, the tapping axe makes perfect sense now. Calling the boxing axe that expands this definition from what had earlier also been identified as a boxing but for unrelated use.

Nice "collection" BK. It definitely has what seems like a regional character.
 
I need to thank Bob also, greatly appreciate that info.
I would guess 90% of those tools were found over a span of many years here in GA, so yes, there is a lot of regional character to them. Don't consider myself a collector as much as one to take advantage of the situation, that's why I don't really know a whole lot about them.
 
Is there a book or something one would recommend to come up with a value of them. After seeing what some similar axes are selling for, I'm thinking about getting rid of some of these but don't know how to determine a price. I saw where a Turpentine axe just like one of mine sold for $295. That's more than I have in all these and all the old tools combined. I have some pretty neat old tools. Since it's mentioned some of these were for barrel making, that explains why I have a couple of tapered augers for boring the plug holes. Also how I ended up with an old wood plane made for cutting a grove in a circle.
 
There isn't a book that gives the value of axes. Your best bet is to watch some internet sales and attempt to put a price on them from recent sales.
 
Yep, got one made just like that, but in better condition (still usable) and another of a different style.

That's where I run into a problem, you see one similar for maybe $50 and then you see on like you have for 300.
I have a Winchester hatchet, I was researching and found one for $100 but the engraving for the logo was way different, Made me think it might be a fake compared to the way mine was.
Mine has very fine and small writing and that one was heavily stamped, not even similar, but the Winchester was similar on both.
 
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