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I can find lots of them, but this is timber country. There are active collectors, so sometimes the good stuff costs. It is what it is. There is a forum for this stuff here, you might try that, but then again, those are the collectors.

What are you looking for and why? A little more specific info will go a long way to getting you an answer you can use.
 
AlexT808 said:
Im looking for a collins legitimus. They are medium rare and I am not willing to pay the ebay price.
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Well I wish you luck because your going to need it.
There's a member here named jblyttle who collects and sells on eBay the axes he picks at yard sales, estate sales, flea markets...ect, and if you have anything good to throw in for trade you may have a chance of getting one below eBay pricing if he has one and you're nice and patient in your communications. As I said He's also a collector so I wouldn't count on anything, but it's worth a shot.

Now, the money in gas and the effort to find one may total up to as much as a head will cost on eBay so you may just want to bite the bullet and get one there or look for another axe that's known to be just as good but not as hard to come by. Collin's legitimus axes aren't exactly the cream of the crop or anything, they're a solid tool but a much more available TT KELLY perfect or world's finest will be as good if not better and more obtainable.
 
"I am not willing to pay the ebay price"

Good luck.

If you can find what you want, but don't like the price you don't want it bad enough. But hey, if you're willing to drive around Washington and BC for 6 months you may find a nice one for less than you'll pay on the bay. The trick is to do that for less than the difference...
 
AlexT808 said:
What is a solid Axe company i can find readily available at garage sails or flea markets. I only know of plumb, collins etc.
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Maybe Council Tool (American made since the 1800's), their solid and popular here. But i'm not sure of the popularity in the mainstream, garagesale world. I have no clue what strangers have in their homes....tough question.

Bringing axe heads back to shape or re handling is a great hobby. The hunt is half the fun, enjoy!
 
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AlexT808 said:
What is a solid Axe company i can find readily available at garage sails or flea markets. I only know of plumb, collins etc.
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Plumb made lots of axes and they're out there.

True temper/ Kelly axes are also abundant and available.

Collin's had many lines and are very abundant.

If you see a keen kutter it'll be a great axe, an old Craftsman will be a good axe ( you can tell if an axe is more modern looking ).
These 5 are probably most common for you to find that'll be worth buying.

If you find an old very rusty head with no visible stamp but the cheeks are convex ( the sides will be thicker down the center ) you should pick it up. You may find a stamp under the rust after you remove it with a wire wheel, but it may also be unmarked if it was made for a hardware store to put their own logo on it.
Sometimes you just have to take a gamble on an old ace you find for a good price. There are too many makers and hardware stores who contracted axes with their name on them for me to list them all.
 
I don't buy a lot of axes. But I can find them all over. I took a ride around the Olympic Penn. last summer and could have filled my truck. Here's a little one I got then; still untouched and sitting in the garage.
GrrzPob.jpg
 
There have been very good suggestions and recommendations offered, unfortunately there isn't one answer or solution.
Online auction and purchase will get you what you want and I suggest that route if your end game is to simply have what you want.
Personally I enjoy the hunt, the barter and negotiation, the discovery of a treasure someone else discarded or disregarded.
I always enjoy and encourage the story that usually comes with the axe or tool, its history and past use give a life and story of it's own to tell.
I like the process of cleaning, sharpening and hanging...if I have to reshape a bit or get a handle to thin and haft I get real excited.
Either way, have fun doing it.
 
I've picked up quite a few older axe/hatchet heads over the years at flea markets. At the moment I can't remember the first one coming from a garage or yard sale. As already posted I enjoy the hunt and the reveal once the rust is removed.
 
AlexT808, Depending on location, flea market could be good idea(In my case, I never see anything interesting). Check craigslist for garage/moving/estate sales. If they list tools there is chance the household has at least one axe. Most likely will not be Legitimus but you might be lucky with Craftsman produced by Mann or underappreciated Woodings-Verona
 
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A few years ago I picked up a, Collins Legitimus #4 Dayton pattern with original handle in new condition. The bit had never been filed, nor was there any rust or dings on head or handle. It had some type of animal based grease on the head for long term storage that I like to never removed. I paid $18 for the axe.
 
there's an NOS plumb jersey for 15 bucks, only problem is its about 2 hours away and i have no excuse to make the trip. guy said its gotta be in person
 
Jeez. Enjoy the hunt and be patient or pay for the efforts of others.

I've purchased over 700 Axes/hatchets/heads THIS YEAR and never paid more than flea market prices.

If you live where there is plenty, you just need to look. I'm lucky that way. If not, you need to be more patient or pay market prices. FYI, I sell many good quality heads for around $15.
 
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