First time buying on E-Bay

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TheAxeGuys

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So today was my first time buying on EBay. Question: 1) What do you guys think of my new piece? Ive done research and can't find any info on the "True Temper" brand before Kelly took over in 1949 and started making the "true temper kelly perfect" axe. The Axe I got only says "true temper" which leads me to believe its pre 1949. 2) Are there any tips or things I should be aware of when looking to buy axe heads on ebay? I looked up completed auctions for the true temper (kelly perfect) single bit axe head and found them ranging anywhere from $20-$85. For me im looking for things that haven't taken a serious beating so I know those pieces are going to cost a little more but are there other things I should be looking for.
 
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Kelly was already making True Temper Kelly Perfects back in the 1930s, but the stamp on your axe looks more modern, my guess would be 1960s or later.
 
I agree, it looks like a more modern example. However, still top shelf and the basis for an awesome axe. It's a good one and beautiful too. Please show it off when it's ready. Congrats.
 
The head is in good shape; poll is not unduly mushroomed and there is negligible blade wear. For you this is going to be a lifetime implement, and a real test for fitting of a new handle. If there are ridges in the eye that'll be even more of a challenge.
 
Guitarist7.62 said:
At least give the rest of us a chance to get one first!
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I know it is like Christmas when you find a great axe for $5 but that never happens for me, so I consider $30-ish to be a good to great deal for an axe like the one posted above, and I've watched a number of them on the bay over the last couple months almost as nice as that one for for no more than $40, some just under $30. I'm just kinda sitting around waiting for "the one" I guess. I'm talking Jerseys though, so it depends on what you're after and where you fall on the deal scale.
 
cityofthesouth said:
I know it is like Christmas when you find a great axe for $5 but that never happens for me, so I consider $30-ish to be a good to great deal for an axe like the one posted above, and I've watched a number of them on the bay over the last couple months almost as nice as that one for for no more than $40, some just under $30. I'm just kinda sitting around waiting for "the one" I guess. I'm talking Jerseys though, so it depends on what you're after and where you fall on the deal scale.
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Or you can just look at it from a different perspective. Who makes an axe head like that today? 40 bucks is not to much to pay for that head. I would not have let it go for that price. Most vintage axes are still a great buy, even most of the ones we consider high dollar.

I splurge on occasion at that action site and treat myself to something I can't find locally as I suspect most here do.

Not sure how long the prices we are paying now will hold up, They are getting harder to find, at least for me.

The cost will long be forgotten after the quality remains.

I hate to be a bad influence, but they probably will not go down in price my friend. Besides you have mad axe hanging skills and we would like to see what you would do with a fine Jersey.:thumbup:
 
garry3 said:
Or you can just look at it from a different perspective. Who makes an axe head like that today? 40 bucks is not to much to pay for that head. I would not have let it go for that price. Most vintage axes are still a great buy, even most of the ones we consider high dollar.

I splurge on occasion at that action site and treat myself to something I can't find locally as I suspect most here do.

Not sure how long the prices we are paying now will hold up, They are getting harder to find, at least for me.

The cost will long be forgotten after the quality remains.

I hate to be a bad influence, but they probably will not go down in price my friend. Besides you have mad axe hanging skills and we would like to see what you would do with a fine Jersey.:thumbup:
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Yeah absolutely, that's how I see it. I just meant that good deals are out there, though they are a little fewer and further between, I try to keep a close eye on them. I am basically holding out for a beveled Plumb Jersey. I tried to get one - it was so excellent - but was outbid by a dollar. A dollar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suck at the auction game though. I always forget when they end, if I put in my bid and then just hope for the best, I lose.
 
cityofthesouth said:
Yeah absolutely, that's how I see it. I just meant that good deals are out there, though they are a little fewer and further between, I try to keep a close eye on them. I am basically holding out for a beveled Plumb Jersey. I tried to get one - it was so excellent - but was outbid by a dollar. A dollar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suck at the auction game though. I always forget when they end, if I put in my bid and then just hope for the best, I lose.
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Big fan of Plumb axes also. You will eventually score the one you want, just keep at it.:thumbup: Them snipers can be a bit demoralizing and they are waiting at every popular auction. Kind of surprised that the auction site has not went with a soft close. Some online auctions that I bid on are doing it. They just extend the auction a few minutes as long as there is bidding. Nothing against the snipers, its all fair in love and war.
 
garry3 said:
Big fan of Plumb axes also. You will eventually score the one you want, just keep at it.:thumbup: Them snipers can be a bit demoralizing and they are waiting at every popular auction. Kind of surprised that the auction site has not went with a soft close. Some online auctions that I bid on are doing it. They just extend the auction a few minutes as long as there is bidding. Nothing against the snipers, its all fair in love and war.
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Yeah it's kinda, I guess not my bag. I never used auctions because I just didn't like the bother of it. I know what I want when I set out and I just want to get it. But with axes, no choice in the matter really (except for a couple guys who know who they are who like to help a guy out!!!) and the only way I've ever won is with the sniper technique. In fact, now I yell at my computer every time I see someone bidding on something that has like 5 days left on the auction. I'm like, WTF IS THE POINT!!!!!! :) :| But I've actually only got a few of my axes through auctions and the best one was buy it now, so it'll happen eventually.
 
cityofthesouth said:
Yeah absolutely, that's how I see it. I just meant that good deals are out there, though they are a little fewer and further between, I try to keep a close eye on them. I am basically holding out for a beveled Plumb Jersey. I tried to get one - it was so excellent - but was outbid by a dollar. A dollar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suck at the auction game though. I always forget when they end, if I put in my bid and then just hope for the best, I lose.
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A dollar? Try being outbid by $47 in the last 5 seconds..:(
 
quinton said:
A dollar? Try being outbid by $47 in the last 5 seconds..:(
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I see what you mean. You thought you had it in the bag with your max bid? I just meant it felt like I was so close ... I would have given another dollar but I suppose the other guy's max was much higher.
 
cityofthesouth said:
I see what you mean. You thought you had it in the bag with your max bid? I just meant it felt like I was so close ... I would have given another dollar but I suppose the other guy's max was much higher.
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No. Actually, I thought I was sneek'n up on a deal. Dang thing stayed under a $100 all week long, I waited until a few minutes before it ended, and tested the waters by increasing the bid by a dollar. My bid held for like 4 minutes, so I increased the max bid. The next thing I know I'm spending my life savings tryin' to out bid some crazy fool(like me) and couldn't do it.

Damn Purdy, like new, Jersey axes anyways!
 
I always think about the seller who looked at his item sitting well below what he wants it to go for until the last possible minute! I've been known to test the waters on a few items just so that it doesn't go for the bottom price. Mean to other buyer, maybe, but its part of the gambling fun. And on occasion I have gotten some good scores by bidding first.
 
COTS- I get outbid frequently by .50 That just tells me only me and one other guy on Ebay wanted that itema nd saw value in it. Of course the other person could have a top bid of much more than me, Ebay just kicks in enough to win.

Tough to lose a nice only and "think" it was only .50 more......but could have been 50.00 more and you just do not know.

TheAxeGuys,
If you are only going to have one full sized axe, that is a good pattern and maker to have :) Nothing at all wrong with that head.

Bill
 
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