Collins Homestead, and a few questions

S

ScottFW

Joined
Dec 16, 2007
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A while ago I picked up this Collins Homestead axe. The head was crazy loose, the edge is duller than a butter knife, and the poll has some mushrooming, but for $15 I figured I'd pick it up. It has the original handle and some of the original sticker on the head. Main thing I'm trying to determine is whether to use the original handle when I rehang it, or use a new handle. First, some pics.

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As you can see, the head is stamped 3 1/2 lbs. It actually weighs 2 lbs 15 oz. Is it common for these to weigh >6 oz under the stamped weight or does that mean a crapload has been sharpened/ground away? For reference it's about 7 3/4" long and 4 5/8" across the edge.

I have only two little areas of concern with reusing the original handle. One is this divot by the shoulder.
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Also considering the mushrooming on the poll, I'd guess somebody missed while trying to hammer on it or pound wedges with it, probably more than once.
There is some evidence of overstrikes on the front of the handle. No wood missing there but if I tap on it there's just a bit of looseness to the grain.
The missing finish under the head is just from me rasping down a curl/edge from the original hang.
Does this seem safe to reuse? I like the idea of keeping it original if possible, but if it's gonna be dicey I can source a new one.
 
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the original handle seems fine to me, and it has a decent shape to it.
Most modern handles aren't shaped well at all, too fat, or flat, no swell at the fawns foot , you name it vintage handles are the way to go if you're not making one from scratch or don't have enough material in a handle to reshape it properly.

That weight isn't too uncommon, it seems a lot of the time that's more a general size than actual weight of the head.
 
Miller '72 said:
Collins Axe Co, made by Mann after 1966, original handle to the head.
Keep it, rehang them together 🪓👍

The handle looks ready to go as is. The shoulder wear like that happens, possible run out in the grain will cause a piece to cleave off at times or just a chunk gets wacked.

What Hickory n steel Hickory n steel said 🪓😉
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Definitely post '66, but I wonder on the era.
looks a little better than the blue paint homestead michigans and the other ones that had bevels, but not like the 2 early Mann era homestead axes I have.

I'm not sure if anybody has put a timeline to the Mann era Collins axes before, it would be interesting but I'm not sure if anybody considers them worth it.
 
I think you should try to use the original haft. The palm swell is better on vintage hafts. Just be sure to sand away any splintering.
 
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