Dont forget the Info!

Operator1975

Operator1975

Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
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For us yahoos in the axe tomahawk and hatchet forum, we always have great threads, pics, ideas, questions etc.

I havent seen one on info we use, though I am sure there have probably been 40+ and I am just not thinking correctly.

Anyway, here are some references I have used to help educate myself about the craft, and also help me to realize these men were some serious working men back in the day.

These here are mostly old hardware or manufacturer catalogs. The pictures of the axes are interesting, and the prices will make you think - no way. Interesting information overall, and good things to have to read over on a boring winter day.

The dates on these vary - but Collins = 1930, Keen Kutter = 1933, AG Peck = 1891, Warren = 1937, Zenith = 1910, Jensen/Byrd = 1956, and American Axe and Tool Co = 1894. The wording, and how people talked/communicated is very evident, the methods of advertising are also very different.

Of course not in this picture are the books American Axes by Kaufman and Axe Makers of North America by Klenman/Mcphail. I know I still have a few more to get no doubt.

What have you guys used for reference education on the topic?

Thanks in advance.

SAM_0393.jpg
 
The Axe Book by Dudley Cook is the only axe book I have as of yet. Other than that, the internet is full of info, the quality of which is obviously very varied. The two books you mentioned are on my list.
 
"American Axes" by Kaufman and "Axe Makers of North America" by Klenman and Mcphail are both good cursory historical references.

"The Axe Book by Dudley Cook" is good for axe use and technique, it's got some good saw info too.

"An Axe to Grind" by Bernie Weisgerber at the US Forest Service is always a go to.

"Musson's Lumber and Log Pocket Book" has some good anecdotal info about axes and the lumber industry. Available as a 1905 reprint.

I'll even dip into some knife making books once in a while for info on steel and forging techniques.

I have yet to find a comprehensive and thoroughly researched history of American axes. The Kaufman book is pretty good, but there are still a lot of holes in the story that could be filled in.

Oh yeah, I've found Google Books to be invaluable as a resource.
 
american axes by kauffman
an axe to grind
the axe book by cook
axe makers of north america
the complete guide to sharpening by lee (it has a nice section on metallurgy and such, with a great section on axes and hatchets. he goes into the 'science' of sharpening pretty much anything that cuts)
and finally; various bushcraft/woodcraft books with sections on the axe and axemanship...
 
bearhunter said:
american axes by kauffman
an axe to grind
the axe book by cook
axe makers of north america
the complete guide to sharpening by lee (it has a nice section on metallurgy and such, with a great section on axes and hatchets. he goes into the 'science' of sharpening pretty much anything that cuts)
and finally; various bushcraft/woodcraft books with sections on the axe and axemanship...
Click to expand...

I also have "The Complete Guide to Sharpening." It's good. Contains way more information than the name implies.
 
Yeah, silly of me to forget to mention Yesteryear tools - a great resource.

An Ax to Grind video is also great, cant believe I forgot to mention it as well.

I will check out some of these other books mentioned. I appreciate the info. Thanks!
 
Is it acceptable to mention other forums in this list? If not, I will gladly remove this post!

I also enjoy referencing bushcraftusa and arboristsite.com
 
this is the age of information, can't hardly go wrong with all the references at hand
and of cours Old Jimbo and the saga of axes

all good

buzz
 
Last edited:
M3mphis said:
Is it acceptable to mention other forums in this list? If not, I will gladly remove this post!

I also enjoy referencing bushcraftusa and arboristsite.com
Click to expand...

I've learned a lot from those sites, another one is Bodgers ask and answer forum - tools subforum. It's a UK woodworking site with relatively little traffic but I've dug up some good information there.
 
Mmm, axe literature. I think I need a new bookshelf. Anybody have any old Hudson Bay Company books? They produced some cool ones but I haven't pulled the trigger on any yet.
 
I just got an old J Douglas Hunt catalog. I will see what it is all about.

And then I ordered an ax and chainsaw maintenance book as well. Let you guys know how it is.
 
I just got in the mail today :

The Axe Book - Cook

The Complete Guide to Sharpening - Lee

Axes and Chainsaws: Use and Maintenance - Stephens.

All look like great reads. Cant wait.
 
Can anyone recommend a book and/or video that can help me learn the proper way to remove the rust off of old axes. I want to restore the old ones I have and plan to start hunting for more but I don't want to use the wrong sand paper or do something stupid and ruin a vintage axe.
 
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