COLLINS double bit saddle cruiser hatchet

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DustyB

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I have about a dozen Collins axes but i've always wanted the little saddle cruiser hatchet. I've been looking for a couple of years and one finally popped up on the auction site and i decided i had to have it. I paid through the nose for it ($156, sorry if you were the $154 bidder) but its not like a Norlund where you can wait for a better deal. Its got no handle and it needs cleaned up a bit but the bits are great, the stamp is strong, and its even got a little bit of what looks like original paint. Its gonna be a great project.

But, i have questions...does anyone know ANY history about these little cruisers. There is plenty of info about the Collins company in general but I cant find any writings on the web about when or how many of these double bit hatchets were made. They seem to be pretty rare, and if they aren't nobody ever decides to part with them.

thanks,
Dusty
 
I dont know if this helps. In the late 60's I bought a couple of them to use in what we called "Logger's Rodeo" contests. I used one of them, with great success, in the hatchet throwing. I still have it somewhere. I found them still being sold in the Collins axe catalog that Collins sent me in 1977 from Lewistown, PA.
 
Old Axeman said:
I dont know if this helps. In the late 60's I bought a couple of them to use in what we called "Logger's Rodeo" contests. I used one of them, with great success, in the hatchet throwing. I still have it somewhere. I found them still being sold in the Collins axe catalog that Collins sent me in 1977 from Lewistown, PA.
Click to expand...

Actually that helps a great deal. I had all the puzzle pieces but i didn't put it together until you said Lewistown.

When i received the Collins in the mail I compared it to my Norlund and they are virtually identical except the eye in the Collins is about 2mm wider.

In 1966 portions of the Collins company were sold to the Mann Edge Tool Company in Lewistown PA.
The Mann Edge Tool Company was also the manufacturer of Norlund axes.

Both the Norlund and the Collins saddle axes were produced in the 60s-70s, they are virtually identical, and both brands were owned by Mann Edge Tool...Coincidence????

I've never seen it said anywhere but It sounds like Mann Edge Tool produced both of these under different names. I've also read about another produced under the name "Herters" that was said to have been made by Collins which I'd guess was made at about the same time by MET.

This all seems a little too coincidental for them not to be the same axe under a different name...am i wrong?

Thank you,
Dusty
also, if you ever decide to part with yours, keep me in mind
 
does it look anything like this.
g8Frhrt.jpg

XN0mo6L.jpg

4JjMo9J.jpg
 
Dusty- some more for you- In 1987 I was given a factory tour at Mann Edge Tool in Lewistown, Pa. They had a display/history room that had both Collins and Norlund axes. The owner was a relatively new owner, but, when I asked, he said there was no difference in manufacture of Collins and Norlund.
 
pommie said:
does it look anything like this.
g8Frhrt.jpg

XN0mo6L.jpg

4JjMo9J.jpg
Click to expand...

On second thought that might be it. Your one pic looks like the head is a foot long. Appears that you might be holding it above the tape measure. The stamp is in the same place as mine but the shape is a little different. Mine is more square overall with sharp corners at the top and bottom of the bits. How big is your eye? Mine is 1 5/8in x 7/16in
 
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Old Axeman said:
Dusty- some more for you- In 1987 I was given a factory tour at Mann Edge Tool in Lewistown, Pa. They had a display/history room that had both Collins and Norlund axes. The owner was a relatively new owner, but, when I asked, he said there was no difference in manufacture of Collins and Norlund.
Click to expand...

Great confirmation. Thank you. Man i'd love to know where the contents of that room ended up.
 
DustyB said:
On second thought that might be it. Your one pic looks like the head is a foot long. Appears that you might be holding it above the tape measure. The stamp is in the same place as mine but the shape is a little different. Mine is more square overall with sharp corners at the top and bottom of the bits. How big is your eye? Mine is 1 5/8in x 7/16in
Click to expand...

same size eye as the 2 i have. handle is one i made but i have replacements from here.
https://beaver-tooth.com/collection...le-cruiser-hatchet-handle-norlund-collins-etc

they are great little double bits and are hard to find now days.
 
DustyB said:
Actually that helps a great deal. I had all the puzzle pieces but i didn't put it together until you said Lewistown.

When i received the Collins in the mail I compared it to my Norlund and they are virtually identical except the eye in the Collins is about 2mm wider.

In 1966 portions of the Collins company were sold to the Mann Edge Tool Company in Lewistown PA.
The Mann Edge Tool Company was also the manufacturer of Norlund axes.

Both the Norlund and the Collins saddle axes were produced in the 60s-70s, they are virtually identical, and both brands were owned by Mann Edge Tool...Coincidence????



I've never seen it said anywhere but It sounds like Mann Edge Tool produced both of these under different names. I've also read about another produced under the name "Herters" that was said to have been made by Collins which I'd guess was made at about the same time by MET.

This all seems a little too coincidental for them not to be the same axe under a different name...am i wrong?

Thank you,
Dusty
also, if you ever decide to part with yours, keep me in mind
Click to expand...

This is indeed interesting. Herter's collectors know that George Leonard Herter lived on Clear Lake inside the City of Waseca city limits and ran his World Famous catalog store out of his hometown about 3 miles from where I type this response. A few months ago while perusing the Herter's listings of a well known online auction house I noticed a Norlund looking single bit axe stamped with Herter's name and painted in yellow. It was considerably more than budget allows and I did not bid. It was relisted several times and may still be on there at auction. This insight may have answered a question I have wondered about since seeing the photographs of that axe. The link below will take you to a New York Times article about George from 2008 that also has his photograph at the bottom of the article. It is the only photograph that I have ever seen of George published.

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/books/review/Collins-t.html
 
DustyB

I was employed at Mann Edge Tool Co in Lewistown Pa. in the late 1970's. As an employee you were able to buy the axes at a discounted price. Fast forward 45 years and several moves, I am now retired and want to sell some of the things I have accumulated over my lifetime.

I have a Collins double bit saddle cruiser (Unsure if that is the proper name) that is in very good condition.

Also, I have a Norlund Frontiersman that I purchased as an employee. Being 18 years old at the time I thought it was cool looking and have had it in my closet when not hanging on a wall. It is in like new condition.

If anyone is interested in either axe, I will post pictures after my daughter shows me how to attach them to this post.
 
RCF62 said:
DustyB

I was employed at Mann Edge Tool Co in Lewistown Pa. in the late 1970's. As an employee you were able to buy the axes at a discounted price. Fast forward 45 years and several moves, I am now retired and want to sell some of the things I have accumulated over my lifetime.

I have a Collins double bit saddle cruiser (Unsure if that is the proper name) that is in very good condition.

Also, I have a Norlund Frontiersman that I purchased as an employee. Being 18 years old at the time I thought it was cool looking and have had it in my closet when not hanging on a wall. It is in like new condition.

If anyone is interested in either axe, I will post pictures after my daughter shows me how to attach them to this post.
Click to expand...
Welcome to forum
Please do not disappear!!!
Your personal experience as former METCo's employee might be very valuable for this forum.
 
RCF62 said:
DustyB

I was employed at Mann Edge Tool Co in Lewistown Pa. in the late 1970's. As an employee you were able to buy the axes at a discounted price. Fast forward 45 years and several moves, I am now retired and want to sell some of the things I have accumulated over my lifetime.

I have a Collins double bit saddle cruiser (Unsure if that is the proper name) that is in very good condition.

Also, I have a Norlund Frontiersman that I purchased as an employee. Being 18 years old at the time I thought it was cool looking and have had it in my closet when not hanging on a wall. It is in like new condition.

If anyone is interested in either axe, I will post pictures after my daughter shows me how to attach them to this post.
Click to expand...
I’d love to talk to you about these!
 
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