Collins 3 1/2 axe info wanted

[Keith Bachand]

Hi everyone I just picked up a Collins 3 1/2 axe on Etsy that was refurbished. The seller says it’s from the 1980’s era. I purchased to use to split wood for firewood. Any information on this axe? It has some blue paint left on it that the seller decided to leave. It seems that the Collins 3 1/2 axe is super common but I didn’t see any with blue paint.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/eLL31vsWT4N8Tr239

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qWkNm27C9UQBDhBc6

 

[Miller '72]

Your pictures did not come thru but it sounds like a Collins Axe by Mann.

Is it a Michigan Pattern with bevels?

 

[Keith Bachand]

Your pictures did not come thru but it sounds like a Collins Axe by Mann.

Is it a Michigan Pattern with bevels?

Here’s the photo of it https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOIQVlTYKTtxgJCzdmxnJcjK_t68KbUH6cHxkIRu-QFnfv0oBvA0W_uiATK-W5s1w?key=YTNhRURkS0otbl9VUkdkWUtqSFd0Q291Z0lyUHZR

 

[Hickory n steel]

Yes a very common late 70's- 80's era Mann made Collins axe, and the blue paint was common.

 

[Keith Bachand]

Yes a very common late 70's- 80's era Mann made Collins axe, and the blue paint was common.

Thanks for the response and information! Anything I should know about it? Where was it made? I read some are Mexico? I’m assuming not a high dollar item since they’re common. I’m not planning to resell it as I’m going to use it to split wood as it was intended for.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Thanks for the response and information! Anything I should know about it? Where was it made? I read some are Mexico? I’m assuming not a high dollar item since they’re common. I’m not planning to resell it as I’m going to use it to split wood as it was intended for.

Worth very little, made in the US by Mann.
The quality should at least better than a modern Mexican Chinese or Indian import, it's likely a perfectly usable worthwhile tool to use without worrying.

 

[Keith Bachand]

Worth very little, made in the US by Mann.
The quality should at least better than a modern Mexican Chinese or Indian import, it's likely a perfectly usable worthwhile tool to use without worrying.

I honestly didn’t realize how expensive good axes are. Seems they go quite a bit into the hundreds and beyond. I do intend to split with this which is all I wanted it for but wanted to buy a refurbished one instead of a new axe because I’ve had some bad luck with new tools unfortunately.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I honestly didn’t realize how expensive good axes are. Seems they go quite a bit into the hundreds and beyond. I do intend to split with this which is all I wanted it for but wanted to buy a refurbished one instead of a new axe because I’ve had some bad luck with new tools unfortunately.

You can get an excellent axe for a very reasonable to downright cheap price in an older vintage head, but you'd have to put some work into it and hang it on a handle yourself.
On Ebay lately it seems $25-$45 is the reasonably priced affordable range these days for just a good head that's not worn out, but flea markets and yardsales...ect can turn up complete axes for well under $20 and just the heads for under $10 , but it's kind of hard to get out and look lately I suppose.

This axe is decent enough and should serve you well, but you can always ask around here if you ever feel you want something a little better.

 

[stevewest]

You can buy a good US made axe from Council tools. Their prices are affordable with their standard line and if you want to upgrade, their Velvicut line of axes are very nice.