Double bit ID

[Curt Hal]

Picked this up recently. I don't know much at all about double bits. Looking at the stamp makes me think it might be a Craftsman. There is a worn out label on the other side, but it has no discernible writing on it. Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

 

[300Six]

Appears to be an unused item. The =made in USA= stamp certainly looks to be Craftsman-like and maybe was manufactured by the same source. But then; who was it that made tools for Sears?

 

[garry3]

It reminds me of a later Mann. The paint scheme and the pattern. Look for a very small stamp high on the cheeks. Their stamp was light and small, it said
"Mann Edge Tool Co"
" Lewistown P.A. USA".
Can't say for sure but I highly suspect that it is.

 

[Axe Master '94]

Well if I remember a Steve Tall comment correctly, you're both right because Mann made Craftsman's axes. Seems about right to me.

 

[Steve Tall]

I couldn't recall mentioning a link between Mann and Craftsman, but I found this, related to Mann possibly making Mastercraft axes for Canadian Tire:

Non-Canadians might not know that Mastercraft is a brand name used by Canadian Tire for tools (similar to Craftsman and Sears). Regarding who made the axes for them, a quick search revealed little except that Canadian Tire worked with Mann back in the 60s to develop the Norlund line of axes.

"In 1965 the Canadian Tire Co. approached the principals of the Mann Edge Tool Co. with a proposal that the Mann Edge Tool Co. manufacture a line of "Sportsmen's Axes" and certain other outdoor equipment."

quoted from YesteryearsTools

 

[300Six]

I couldn't recall mentioning a link between Mann and Craftsman, but I found this, related to Mann possibly making Mastercraft axes for Canadian Tire:

I'm going to have to visit the axe section of Cdn Tire! I know the Craftsman line of Sears tools was guaranteed forever but I broke so many of them over the past 45 years (and Sears is a 45 minute drive away for me) that I ultimately gave up and switched to Mastercraft tools anyway. I don't think I can say equally good or bad things about their wrenches, sockets and ratchets either (which also routinely break) but at least Cdn Tire has the same 'no questions asked lifetime warranty' and they're only 10 minutes away. Mastercraft sockets and ratchets etc I bought 10-15 years ago said 'made in USA' on them, current stuff does not identify a Country of origin. Which to me does not bode well.
Betcha new Mastercraft axes only have paper labels and no other markings!