Cruisers and Connecticuts

This little cruiser is still in my 'to-do' pile. I'm not sure what to call it, maybe a reversible?

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Pegs, I like that one a lot. Can't wait to see it cleaned up and severing wood fibers! :D
 
Had to post, this is my favorite Connecticut. Old Plumb, weighing in at about 4 pounds. Best falling axe ever. Although I did recently acquire a 4.5 pound Flint Edge Connecticut that could be even better at pushing over big trees. Will post photos when hung.
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This thread got me very interested in the Connecticut pattern. Here is one I recently picked up. It is about 3.5 pounds and the bit is about 5.25 inches wide. The poll is a little beat up and there is a small chip in the bit but nothing too bad
The handle looked to be original with no splits or cracks. It has great color but is warped pretty bad due to a knot so I pulled it as I plan on this being a user.
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Ahhh, I'm glad this thread bubbled up again. I love Connecticuts now too, and will add mine.
I REALLY want a 2lb CT boys axe profiled as a chopper.

My somewhat beat Mann Knot Klipper. It has been worn into an incredible splitting machine, out-performing all the others handily. This old boy's got a new job.

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Great looking pair of axes, Matt! I have a Flint Edge Connecticut that's been sitting in a box for awhile. That makes me want to get her cleaned up and hung!
 
mattyak said:
Collins Cruiser and a Kelly Flint Edge

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Those are both just the way I like them. I like a cruiser to have a slightly turned-in shape to it. And the Connecticut has a nice straight bit. Such an axe would be perfect for notching a timber for hewing. With a straight bit you can cut to a uniform depth more easily.

How do you like the octagon? Is it from House and did it slip right in with very little work?
 
Thanks, guys.

Peg, the handle on the Kelly is from Hick. Hand. Store on the Bay. It started as a 32" racing handle that I re-profiled with a spokeshave. It just ended up octagon because it was easier to keep widths and alignment correct and I just left it that way cause it was comfy. And no, it definitely did not just slip right in with little work. Does it ever? And yes that statement could be misconstrued. Get you laughs, C'mon.
 
mattyak said:
Thanks, guys.

Peg, the handle on the Kelly is from Hick. Hand. Store on the Bay. It started as a 32" racing handle that I re-profiled with a spokeshave. It just ended up octagon because it was easier to keep widths and alignment correct and I just left it that way cause it was comfy. And no, it definitely did not just slip right in with little work. Does it ever? And yes that statement could be misconstrued. Get you laughs, C'mon.
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Well, you did a good job! Nice looking shop, BTW!!!
 
Love those two from Alaska!

Here are a couple Connecticuts I picked up recently.

Kelly Flint Edge raw.

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Kelly cleaned up a bit.

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No name.

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dangit, I want another Connecticut now.
oh wait, I already did...
 
Square_peg said:
This little cruiser is still in my 'to-do' pile. I'm not sure what to call it, maybe a reversible?

Cruiser2.jpg
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Do you know who the maker of that head is by chance?
The reason I ask is I knocked some rust off of one a couple days ago that looks identical to that. No makers mark on mine but judging from my sharpening of the bit it seemed to be a bit better than most vintage axes.
 
No name on mine, either. Odd thing, it's cruiser sized (8-1/2") but it has a full sized eye. I'm gonna order a 30" DB handle for it from House.
 
Mine is 9 1/2" and a little over 4lb. I thought it was a peeling pattern but I am a long ways from sure on that. Looking forward to hearing what you think of her when you get her hafted.
 
This is a really ancient topic, but I recently found some information that might add to our understanding of what defines a cruisers axe. The information was found in the book "Woodsmanship" by Bernard S. Mason, published in 1948 by A. S. Barnes and Company, as part of their Barnes Sports Library. It is a short read, but has a lot of info on all types of axes and their uses. On page 7, Mason states 'the cruisers ax is a double-bit cut down to a size convenient to handle. It weighs 2-1/2 pounds and has a 28-inch handle. It is thus a three-quarter ax- the double bitted companion of the pulpwood ax - yet it is capable of tackling with ease any kind of timber up to a foot in diameter. It has all the advantages of the double-bit, yet none of the unwieldiness of its overgrown brother of the logging camps. And it is much safer. Rarely is a larger ax needed outside of the logging industry, and if it is, a pole-ax would be preferable" And later on, "The Cruiser was originally developed for use by the timber cruisers of the Pacific Coast who needed a first class, efficient ax, yet one light enough to be carried while cruising afoot."
He also states that it was so handy, its use spread rapidly to other areas of the country, and used for other purposes than timber cruising. He considered it to be one of the most useful axes made.
DB404
 
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