Help choosing which axes to buy from a collection

A

Au_Craftsman

Joined
Oct 2, 2019
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83
I am looking at picking up some axe heads online, the person selling them doesn't know what they are but was told there is a plumb, and a kelly for sure and likely more. Which do you think would be the good ones? I'm thinking the bottom left and far right but I'm really not sure.
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Au_Craftsman said:
Thanks very much but to make it even harder he is out of state so I can't look in person. It's a good deal though so hopefully will turn out well
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The thing is you can recoup and even make some money.... he's got some good tassies there with makers marks. In the left hand row counting up from bottom I'd get 1,2 and 5 all the way up, right hand row, 2,3 and 4 if you can swing it financially. Good luck man! Please be sure to share better pics when you get em! That's a good price.
 
This may sound a little condescending, but I promise I don't mean it that way...

Skip the sale.

1) You need more experience before buying online.
2) You're too far from seller to physically handle and properly inspect the products.
3) The seller doesn't know enough about what they're selling to properly convey to you what's there.
4) Not sure where you're at, but if US$ that seems high, per head, in as-found, unrestored condition.


This seems like it's not worth the risk. At all. Might want to stick to local garage sales and flea markets for now, until you've handled enough that you can glance at a photograph and pick out particular axes without thinking.

If the seller had everything listed, individually and properly described, I still wouldn't pay those prices unless it was something special or I ABSOLUTELY needed one to round out a collection.
 
Choose ones with makers names stamped in them and long toes. Is that the only image you have to go by? If this guy wants $100 of your money he should be willing to supply some more photos and information.
 
Yeah I definitely see where you are coming from but it's a really good deal, even if buying 5 axes for $100 aud it is less than what a decent kelly head would sell for.
The reason I am getting such a good deal is because he doesn't know what they are, I understand the risk in buying but as a broke student Its probably my best chance at getting something nice.
HolyRoller said:
This may sound a little condescending, but I promise I don't mean it that way...

Skip the sale.

1) You need more experience before buying online.
2) You're too far from seller to physically handle and properly inspect the products.
3) The seller doesn't know enough about what they're selling to properly convey to you what's there.
4) Not sure where you're at, but if US$ that seems high, per head, in as-found, unrestored condition.


This seems like it's not worth the risk. At all. Might want to stick to local garage sales and flea markets for now, until you've handled enough that you can glance at a photograph and pick out particular axes without thinking.

If the seller had everything listed, individually and properly described, I still wouldn't pay those prices unless it was something special or I ABSOLUTELY needed one to round out a collection.
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Yeah he is willing to send more photos but I need to know which ones to ask for as feel a bit bad asking for 15 Or so photos. Hes willing to give information the issue is he inherited them so doesn't necessarily know the information to begin with.
Square_peg said:
Choose ones with makers names stamped in them and long toes. Is that the only image you have to go by? If this guy wants $100 of your money he should be willing to supply some more photos and information.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah exactly that is what I was thinking it's a risk buying out of state but deals like this are hard to find. Will get the ones you suggested and possibly the one on the far right as it has a maker's Mark and big holes so likely decent. Really didn't want to spend this much hahah but guess I will just stock up for a while
Yankee Josh said:
The thing is you can recoup and even make some money.... he's got some good tassies there with makers marks. In the left hand row counting up from bottom I'd get 1,2 and 5 all the way up, right hand row, 2,3 and 4 if you can swing it financially. Good luck man! Please be sure to share better pics when you get em! That's a good price.
Click to expand...
 
I don't think you can go wrong paying $20 for any of those.

#1 has a fairly worn toe, a little poll damage and an insignificant chip in the bit (insignificant because by the time you file the axe back for the toe the chip will be long gone).

#2 has some toe wear but overall is pretty good.

#3 isn't badly worn. The krinkly area at the top gives me a little concern. It might be from rust but it might have been overheated. But it looks like it was used without failing so it must not be tood bad.

#4 shows some toe wear and some pitting but isn't a bad axe.

#5 might be the best of the bunch. It has minimal poll damage, some wear, some hammer marks on the bottom. Overall it's in pretty good shape.

It's hard for me judge the axe market in Australia. I don't know the current selling price for old Tassies. But I can't imagine any of those wouldn't be worth $20.
 
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Square_peg said:
I don't think you can go wrong paying $20 for any of those.

#1 has a fairly worn toe, a little poll damage and an insignificant chip in the bit (insignificant because by the time you file the axe back for the toe the chip will be long gone).

#2 has some toe wear but overall is pretty good.

#3 isn't badly worn. The krinkly area at the top gives me a little concern. It might be from rust but it might have been overheated. But it looks like it was used without failing so it must not be tood bad.

#4 shows some toe wear and some pitting but isn't a bad axe.

#5 might be the best of the bunch. It has minimal poll damage, some wear, some hammer marks on the bottom. Overall it's in pretty good shape. Number 2 has a made in usa stamp so im guessing thats a plumb and number 5 reminds me of a kelly but will have to wait until it arrives to know.

It's hard for me judge the axe market in Australia. I don't know the current selling price for old Tassies. But I can't imagine any of those wouldn't be worth $20.
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Thanks very much, I have decided to go with 2,3 and 5 and also the bottom left and far right from the first photo. 125 including shipping and some wedges so definitely a good deal.
 
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