Cruisers and Connecticuts

Operator1975

Operator1975

Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
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Well the cruisers and Connecticuts seem to be pretty popular, and to be honest, I dont have a ton of experience with either one, and sometimes identifying what is called a Connecticut can be confusing to me, so maybe it is to other people here too. I have also seen/read were people will call or classify a db as a cruiser, were I would not. This is one of the things I love about axes. You call it "x", guy in Oregon calls it "y". I find this very interesting, and its a good thing. It stirs conversation, and that can't hurt.

Here are some of what I would call crusiers -

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These are all smaller db heads on 28 inch handles. Head weight is right around 2 to 2.5 lbs. Anything larger, and I would just call that a double bit, and then whatever the pattern is, say western or peeling, etc.

These axes, I can see why they are so popular. They are light weight overall, give you two bits to work with, swing easy as pie, and can fit anywhere, cab of pick up, on your tractor, can be carried on a back packing adventure, etc. I see why they are very popular.

Conneticuts, I had little experience with actually handling until about 6 to 8 months ago when I found one in the collection and wanted to see what all the talk was about. I can see why guys like these too. Nice wide bit for more bit/wood hit, thus bigger chips. The ones I have are big, 3.5 to 4 lbers, and they swing like it to, via most of them seem to be on smaller length handles, usually 32 inch or below, at least from what I have seen. Get them sharpened up, and they do a job though I know that. They are growing on me. I have always been a dayton guy cause thats all I have ever known, but they are winning me over, slowly but surely.

As I said I have trouble identifying them sometimes, so here are some pics of what I call Connecticuts, lets discuss if they are not and are actually another pattern -

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Hope you can see those - one is a Legitimus while the other is a Collins. (well both Collins, but you know what I mean)

This next one, it is a Keen Kutter, to what I assume is a Connecticut - it is small, only about 2 3/4 lb head, but it seems to fit the pattern.

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Next up is a Collins Red Seal, which I would say is one, but not 100% -

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I would also say this Kelly is a Connecticut pattern -

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Well thats it. Lets see some other cruisers and connecticuts. I know you guys love em!

Thanks!

Mike
 
good stuff operator!
i definatly would call those 'conneticuts'. i've got a few myself as well as a few crusiers, but i'll have to wait and get pics when my wife gets back from vacation with the camera...
 
You speakin' my language!!! :D

Unfortunately this will have to wait till next week for me!
 
To be honest, I've been wanting a Sager cruiser for awhile. Pretty much top of my list.
 
I also have a Sager Chemical cruiser. It is very hard to read, and pretty badly pitted. I got it in NC. It is on a 36 inch handle LOL.
 
Nice thread, two of my favorite styles of axes. I don't have any amazing cruisers, and only two connecticuts, only one of which is in town right now, so I don't even have any photos to offer. I think those are all connecticuts, with the possible exception of that little guy. Based solely on that one photo it looks a little longer (in ratio to the width) than I typically associate with connecticuts. Potato, potahto. For what it's worth on the side, an old timer who I used to know that was way into axes told me that one thing that made a connecticut a connecticut was the poll tapering back down to a thinner width, in contrast to a jersey were it seems to keep getting wider. Useful when you bury your wedge and the tree still won't fall... Or so I hear. Maybe the guys who came up with that pattern weren't real good at judging lean.
 
QAG2jimp


I was going to ask if the big guy on the left is a Connecticut, but I should probably take a better picture. It's a a 6-pounder. or so.
 
I think of a cruiser as being less than 9" wide as originally forged. I don't have such a strict definition of a Connecticut. I generally think of them as having wide bits, ~5" or larger, and a narrower poll and no lugs.

Your first two photos I would definitely classify as cruisers. The Sager is questionable. It's hard for me to accurately gauge it from that photo. It appears to be wider than 8" and shows some wear so it may have started life larger than 9".

I scale the Warren at 9-1/2 inches and it also shows some wear. I would rule it out as a cruiser.

Your Collins Red Seal and Kelly Registered are both nice fresh axes. Just look as the shape of the bits - pretty flat - the toe and heel haven't been filed down. I look for that in an axe. One thing that often tips an axe's wear is the relationship of the toe to the heel. I've never seen a fresh axe with the heel extending out beyond the toe. But worn and filed toes that are short of the heel are pretty common. Just an observation.
 
Hahahahaha, that Collins Legitimus looks familiar Operator. Small world, glad it went to a good home. :)

I don't have a cruiser still (not for lack of looking), but I have a mint True Temper Connecticut. I'll see if I can find a camera tomorrow.
 
Connecticuts. I've got a few. The Collins Legitimus is my favorite.



True Temper Kelly Works Red Warrior and Kellys World's Finest



Flint edge (I have three of these). This one cost me $5.



Knot Klipper and Red Knight



the family:


Cruisers. i have a lot of Maine double bits on 28" handles but I don't consider them cruisers. It's just nomenclature but the Maines are all 3# or so.

This is my one Cruiser. A Kelly registered.



oh and this flint edge which is now with a friend.

 
Haven't rehafted my Gransfors Bruks "cruiser" yet :o (got as far as taking off the old handle).

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Got another cruiser somewhere, as I recall the head is marked "True Valu" (not True Temper), an old store brand for the hardware stores.
 
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