Craftsman stamps

JoeP01 said:
Basically a barn-find: 3lb 7oz Craftsman double bit head with "sideways barn" C and no lines. 4.5" cutting edges. Michigan pattern?

Is this likely from the 70s/80s, or earlier than that? Thanks!

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The pointed A in the Craftsman stamp went away sometime in the 60's.
 
I realize that this is an epic zombie thread, but what an education! The work/time that has been put into this topic is laudable, to say the least. I am new (and now addicted) to the axe/hatchet hobby.

The Craftsman USA double bit I just re-hafted is a keeper: it easily keeps up with my other unpronounceable Scandinavian idiot sticks. For whatever reason, it swings lighter and rarely needs sharpening. The Scandi models need constant oiling, edge care, and expensive coffee in cute little cups while they recline on their IKEA hooks.

Keep up the good work and keep swinging! (That sounds wrong, btw.)
 
 
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Square_peg said:
I've never been able to find information on the progression of Craftsman axe stamps over the years. I know they used many different stamps but I haven't been able to date them.

What I'm hoping to do with this thread is at least get a record of what different stamps are out there. Maybe we can make some informed guesses about dates and the progression of stamps. So please share photos of whatever Craftsman stamps you have and lets see where this leads us. I'll start.

First up is an old double oval stamp. This one is pretty pitted and hard to photograph. It's a 3.5 pound single bit. I think the double ovals are the oldest Craftsmans in my collection. This one has great geometry with nice high centerline. The steel is very good.


Craftsman%204.jpg



Here's a better example of a double oval stamp on a hatchet.

Double%20oval%20hatchet.jpg



Next is a boys axe with a single oval stamp. I think this one might be from the 50's or 60's. This is one of my favorite axes.

Single%20oval%20boys%20axe.jpg



Here's a later model Craftsman but still made in U.S.A. The stamp has no oval but has two bars on either side of the word 'Craftsman'. This one has thin flat cheeks like you see on modern Euro-import axes.
Bars%20-%20single%20bit.jpg



This hatchet has a similar configuration but now the bars are either side of the trademark line. I'm guessing this may have something to do with how much space there is to print on the little hatchet. I've seen Vaughan hatchets that look just like this one.

Bars - hatchet.jpg



So what do you guys have to add? Have any Craftsman axes? Do you know any dates for any of these stamps?
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Square_peg said:
I've never been able to find information on the progression of Craftsman axe stamps over the years. I know they used many different stamps but I haven't been able to date them.

What I'm hoping to do with this thread is at least get a record of what different stamps are out there. Maybe we can make some informed guesses about dates and the progression of stamps. So please share photos of whatever Craftsman stamps you have and lets see where this leads us. I'll start.

First up is an old double oval stamp. This one is pretty pitted and hard to photograph. It's a 3.5 pound single bit. I think the double ovals are the oldest Craftsmans in my collection. This one has great geometry with nice high centerline. The steel is very good.


Craftsman%204.jpg



Here's a better example of a double oval stamp on a hatchet.

Double%20oval%20hatchet.jpg



Next is a boys axe with a single oval stamp. I think this one might be from the 50's or 60's. This is one of my favorite axes.

Single%20oval%20boys%20axe.jpg



Here's a later model Craftsman but still made in U.S.A. The stamp has no oval but has two bars on either side of the word 'Craftsman'. This one has thin flat cheeks like you see on modern Euro-import axes.
Bars%20-%20single%20bit.jpg



This hatchet has a similar configuration but now the bars are either side of the trademark line. I'm guessing this may have something to do with how much space there is to print on the little hatchet. I've seen Vaughan hatchets that look just like this one.

Bars - hatchet.jpg



So what do you guys have to add? Have any Craftsman axes? Do you know any dates for any of these stamps?
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I would like to know how old mine is it has craftman USA pantom pending on it stop side of blade
 
I’ve got a lot of reading to do, but I figured I’d throw these pictures in the ring; perhaps I’ll find out more about it as I read. It was either my dads or my grandfather’s. Rehafted and given another life. Can’t wait to use it.
WP9Cm86.jpg

qT56jeK.jpg
 
Well that was a fascinating read. Some of it over my head, but familiarity will being understanding. Looks like this was my Grandfather’s axe- my Dad was born in ‘39, so he would have been too young to purchase one even in the 40’s.

Do I need a new axe? Haha, I’m starting to feel sentimental about this one. She looks like a good ‘un thought.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Looks like this was my Grandfather’s axe
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Yes, it's the right age to have been your grandfathers. It's a fine example with nice convex cheeks, minimal poll damage and the toe hasn't been worn back. It's a sweet axe.

There is a chance that the haft could separate at the transition from heartwood (dark) to sapwood (light). More often than knot it will be just fine. And thankfully the grain alignment is very good in that haft.

I would probably rasp a little bit of material out of the underside of the grip so that the swell 'hooked' on my little finger better. It would be more comfortable.
 
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Square_peg said:
Yes, it's the right age to have been your grandfathers. It's a fine example with nice convex cheeks, minimal poll damage and the toe hasn't been worn back. It's a sweet axe.

There is a chance that the haft could separate at the transition from heartwood (dark) to sapwood (light). More often than knot it will be just fine. And thankfully the graibn alignment is very good in that haft.

I would probably rasp a little bit of material out of the underside of the grip so that the swell 'hooked' on my little finger better. It would be more comfortable.
Click to expand...

thank you, SP, I’m pretty proud of this one. I took it out and used it for the first time today, and it felt pretty great. I think I’m going to take your advice on the swell there, or at least see if it feels awkward to my hand as it is. As I use it I’m going to pay attention to what doesn’t feel right in the handle and tweak it.

There’s something pretty nice about using this axe that my father and grandfather used. I ended up buying my childhood home from my mother after Dad passed; the home he had built in ‘65. There’s a spruce tree he planted which isn’t long for this world, unfortunately. I intend to honor it by doing the whole job start to finish with that axe.
 
Engr, your Estwing should have a date stamp in the pommel. Or a code stamp.
Atleast mine does and it looks like yours. DM
 
David Martin said:
Engr, your Estwing should have a date stamp in the pommel. Or a code stamp.
Atleast mine does and it looks like yours. DM
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I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Do you mean my Estwing hatchet? At least up to now I’ve been talking about my 3 lbs 10 oz Craftsman in this thread. Did you perhaps confuse some of my posts together from other threads? :)
 
The craftsman heads with M E stamped on them are worth keeping not the best for splitting or chopping but for brush they aren’t bad think there from 70s 80s closest your gonna get to a Maine wedge without spending a lot.Thats a sweet axe you got there,love them old craftsmans.
 
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