Find of the day

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jimmyjwazup

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Sep 25, 2015
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I got 2 new axe heads from a second hand store today. 7.50 each
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I think I'm going to try reprofiling the unico and thin out the cheeks. The other one seems to be thin enough, just needs to be touched up
 
don't get in a hurry, the Unico looks just fine the way it is. a little sharpy sharpy add some wood, Vila, you have a nice feller. besides you have the other bit.
nice choppers.
thanks for posting , always fun to see ...find (catch) of the day images

buzz
 
I also got an old school hand drill for 5, thought it was neat. There were about 8 or so more axes, but they were either too expensive, or a double bit which I'm not ready for. The unico im thinking around 32+ inch handle, the no name I like the length, so probably a boys axe
 
Not much information out there about Unico axes, so I did some digging and found that Unico Premium was a brand of a farm-supply cooperative, United Cooperatives, Inc. of Alliance, Ohio, which dealt in hardware and steel products, among others. It operated on a national basis, with 18 regional members.

The trademark Unico Premium was first used in 1947, registered in 1950, renewed in 1970, and expired in 1992.

https://trademarks.justia.com/715/70/unico-premium-71570339.html

https://books.google.com/books?id=LBN-xAO6UvwC&lpg=PA44&ots=9Nhwu0dc90&dq=%22united%20cooperatives%22%20alliance%20ohio&pg=PA44#v=onepage&q&f=false
 
My Dad worked at our local farm co-op in the 1970's, Southern States. They sold numerous products branded Unico, axes, lawn mowers, etc. My Papaw bought 2 Unico single bit (called poll axes around here) from the SS store. I still have one of them and the other one is on the farm somewhere. Dad and I have searched our barns several times and can't find the other. The Unico axes are very good quality but there is very little hard info to be found.
 
Peck Price said:
My Dad worked at our local farm co-op in the 1970's, Southern States. They sold numerous products branded Unico, axes, lawn mowers, etc. My Papaw bought 2 Unico single bit (called poll axes around here) from the SS store. I still have one of them and the other one is on the farm somewhere. Dad and I have searched our barns several times and can't find the other. The Unico axes are very good quality but there is very little hard info to be found.
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Thanks for the info linking Southern States to the Unico brand.

Southern States was evidently one of the largest members of Universal Cooperatives (formerly United Cooperatives, which I previously mentioned).
 
i would use a wire wheel. it only knocks off rust, leaves the under-blush (patina) intact.
i would not grind or otherwise polish up the heads. simply sharpen or hone the edges, bits.

buzz
 
For handle length I'm getting a boys axe 28" and for the unico I was thinking 36, but with my compact stature of a mere 5'7 I'm thinking 32 may fit me better. I'm just wondering if those sizes would be a good fit, or if I should maybe go shorter with the smaller bit around 24
 
A boy's axe handle won;t fit. You need a full-size 28" in that's the length you want. House Handle carries them.
 
jimmyjwazup said:
Boys axe won't be for the unico, it would be for the unnamed one. Would it still not fit?
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Ah, gotcha. Well it all depends on the eye size. I would measure it against your handle, and compare against the measurements listed on House Handle's website. How big/heavy is the unmarked head? If it's 2.25 pounds or so, it likely will be close fit. if it's 3+ ponds, the eye is likely too large for a full-size head.
 
SC T100 said:
Ah, gotcha. Well it all depends on the eye size. I would measure it against your handle, and compare against the measurements listed on House Handle's website. How big/heavy is the unmarked head? If it's 2.25 pounds or so, it likely will be close fit. if it's 3+ ponds, the eye is likely too large for a full-size head.
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I don't have a scale at the moment but it is definitely smaller than the unico. If nothing else I could get the full size axe in 28" and shave it down if needed. I'll have to measure the eyes when I get home and compare though.
 
DarthTaco123 said:
I've used them, they remove rust well enough but you've got to be careful or you'll blast through the patina. I'd stick to a wire wheel to be safe.
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Interesting, I knew these worked well to get rust off but didn't know they were harsher than a wire brush. Good to know. I could use it on my new egg beater drill though [emoji6] I doubt I'd do much damage with that setup.
 
jimmyjwazup said:
There were about 8 or so more axes, but they were either too expensive, or a double bit which I'm not ready for.
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If you ever come across a good old tool at a good price, it would be wise to seize the opportunity. It can sit in the corner until you are ready for it. :) Otherwise the day will come when you wish you had one, and can't find one anywhere at a decent price.
 
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