Collins axe

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2002
Messages
3,581
I've been casually searching for old Plumb axes and find old Collins axes showing up regularly. Anyone have any background on these they could share? Thanks
 
My dad has a couple Collins axes he bought in the mid 1960s. One is a double bit axe that has some blue paint on the head. When the head of the axe is on the ground and the handle is pointing up, it's 27" tall so it's smaller than usual. HOWEVER, it really cuts! The edge is shaped nicely and since it's light your swing makes the head move very fast. This makes it penetrate better than any other axe I've used. You can really do a lot of cutting really fast.

The other is a single bit axe. This is more of a full sized one. The edge is nicely shaped on this one too so it penetrates well too. Both axes show good craftsmanship and quality. The steel is good too.

The ones you see in hardware stores today are made in China so they're junk IMO. If you can get an old Collins, go for it! You will have bought a great tool.
 
Thanks HighTen, I was starting to think I was the only one who had ever heard of them before. I've been looking at older Hudson Bay types, but haven't got one yet. I Like the sound of your father's double bit too, I think I'll expand my search a little.
 
I have a Collins double, full size.. they ain't shabby a'tall.

I'd put them very close in quality to Kelly ..

Personally would put 'em a hair above (most) Plumb branded, a hair under Vaughn, fight it out with Kelly..

and i'm going by steel..

any of em is going to be 5x the fun that a new china axe would be..

But that 'smaller than usual axe' is a 'cruiserweight' or 'limbing axe' .. (usually 2, 2.5 lb head and a handle about 27-29 inches) .. and RARE compared to the demand.

Not unusual.. just 'Not For Sale'.. and the price reflects it.

Figure the average cruiser-weight is worth 3x what it's bigger version costs. That's about what i've seen lately. Do better, and you can feel proud. Not many cruiser weights get sold till someone dies.

If you collect em, Collins is OK. If you want to USE it.. Collins is top shelf. I'll sell you my collins for 10$ more than it'd take to replace it.. :D
 
I just bought a full size 3 1/2 lb. single bit Collins, and it has a rectangular, routered handle not forced into the head far enough, and they hid the Hecho en Mexico notice.

I suppose my Gransfors Bruks SFA has spoiled me on fit/finish/function. I think I'll be sanding the handle down to more of an oval, too.
 
They're talking about the older Collins axes. They used to be made in the USA, and were far better than what the company that bought the name puts out today.
 
Yep, Cpl. P. I've been on a mission to either buy a largish Gransfors axe, or a big American axe. When I finally found the Collins, I couldn't find "Made in the USA" anywhere on it, but figured, "at least it doesn't say 'Made in China' or 'Made in Pakistan' on it."

At least it was made in The Americas. So, I at least got the right continent.:foot:

We'll see how it cleans up. It will see heavy use, and has potential. But it is definately a diamond(?) in the rough. It does say that it is hand forged, at least.

Well, I tried.
 
Is it the Jersey style axe?
If so, I bought the same model (Hey, I was broke, needed and axe, it said hand forged -- in Mehico, and $24 was doable, $70-$100+ wasn't). Get it sharpened and it chops great, I can't really say anything bad about it except that the haft isn't quite straight (even some Gransfors have this problem) and the rubber blade guard broke after the second use.

If you want a good, as in really good, American Axe, Snow & Neally is really the only game in town as far as I know. I have their Hudsom Bay axe, and splitting maul and they are great tools, and much less expensive than GB or Iltis.
 
Yes, that is exactly the one I have, according to the sticker. I'm going to take a hint from Gransfors Bruks, and attempt to replicate its grip onto the Mexican Collins's handle, with a bench sander. Also, the blade does not come ready to use, and will call for considerable filing and sanding to get it into condition where my Sharpmaker can keep things good.

This is a much more respectable axe, than my fiberglass handled WalMart axe. Due to the harmonics, it hurts to chop with it. Whoever designed it should have been brought up before The Hague for crimes against humanity (and axe loving knife nuts).

Why cannot we walk into a store and buy a first rate axe, off the shelf, in California's Central Valley?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top