Collins axe blue handle logo help?

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dongotto

Joined
Nov 27, 2015
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I bought this axe for 3 bucks at a swap meet Tuesday. It looks all original. Head is loose but was hung nicely once upon a time. Head has no markings but I think handle says Collins. What do you think I have? Did Collins make heads with no stamp?



 
1980's plus or minus. Maybe later. The head had a foil sticker label. It has a post-70's safety warning.
 
Looks like a modern 80's + made in Mexico Collins axe.
Collins never made axes without stamps ( they didn't always say Collins though ) , but the Mexican company who bought their name from Mann does / did produce axes with a Collins sticker on them.
 
Lots of miles left on this one and it was probably a budget brand paper-labelled item.

One thing about the 'wear safety goggles' script on striking tools is it dates such an item back at most to about 1977. I don't know where Collins USA was in the scheme of things by that time. Certainly over the past decade they've (Collins namesakes) been forged in Mexico and hung with American hickory.
 
dongotto said:
Is it worth putting a 10 dollar handle? Are they junk?
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$3 purchase plus $10 for a new handle is not much of a risk. A file will tell you how hard or soft the blade is. If you're a recreational/occasional chopper and use it for camping and backyard fires and gathering the annual Christmas tree this implement will easily last you a lifetime.
 
i have several of these Collins Homestead Axes. they are well made with straight eyes and excellent balance. the steel and temper is excellent, as good as anything made these days.
 
I helped a 16yr old kid rehang this axe. 8 dollar grade 2 house that was quite decent. He took it out to his farm tonight and fell in love. He cleaned up the head and handle and I'm afraid has been exposed to a new passion. He send me a pic of it in action tonight. He said this thing is awesome!lol.When I put a file to it I was impressed with the steel.
 
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dongotto said:
I helped a 16yr old kid rehang this axe. 8 dollar grade 2 house that was quite decent. He took it out to his farm tonight and fell in love. He cleaned up the head and handle and I'm afraid has been exposed to a new passion. He send me a pic of it in action tonight. He said this thing is awesome!lol.
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You smacked (as an afterthought I hope?) a steel wedge in there! Why? Sorry about the negativity, otherwise 'ya done good' and maybe this adventure will convert a next generation soul over to appreciate the quiet beauty of 'cordless' tools.
 
300, best answer is I was taught this way and never had problems. So, not a great answer but an honest one. I havnt hung near as many tools as others so still learning.
 
dongotto said:
300, best answer is I was taught this way and never had problems. So, not a great answer but an honest one. I havnt hung near as many tools as others so still learning.
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at least you didn't drive the wedge in crosswise. these Collins axes as was stated earlier, ( made in Mexico), are well made. you have an axe that will do good service for years. i learned something about them being made in Mexico in this thread, i sure didn't know that until now.
 
dongotto said:
I bought this axe for 3 bucks at a swap meet Tuesday. It looks all original. Head is loose but was hung nicely once upon a time. Head has no markings but I think handle says Collins. What do you think I have? Did Collins make heads with no stamp?



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i've flooded weather cracks like those in the photos above with Super Glue. it works just as well after oiling the wood as it does without oiling the wood. Super Glue sticks tight.
 
I'd just do a light sanding on the haft, fill the cracks with either wood glue and sawdust or super glue, oil it and re-wedge it. The heads aren't total junk but if it's made in Mexico the HT quality won't be 100% fantastic. I'd keep it as a truck axe, or something to use when driving plastic wedges.
 
Not bad, and glad you exposed a kid to vintage axes. Just make sure to teach him how to use an angle grinder with wire wheel Instead of sandpaper 👍
 
Cracks will also fill with BLO. Light sanding between coats (after the first couple coats) will aid in filling the cracks. You can actually feel the strength returning to the wood as you do this, one coat after another.
 
I'm afraid my post suggested I used the old handle. It was to far gone to justify not using an 8 dollar new handle. The top part was falling to pieces.
 
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