Help me find an axe

B

Brazos_Jack

Joined
Oct 26, 2015
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9
Please recommend a currently made quality single bit axe with approximately these specs, along with where I can order one:

2-3/4 to 3 lb head
30" to 32" wood handle
Less than $120 (preferably much less)
An American pattern axe head generally similar to a Jersey, Connecticut, Dayton, or Michigan pattern

So far I haven't been able to find one. Either its got the weight and pattern head I want but is too short (28" Boy's Axe), Has a 30" - 32" handle but a 3-1/2 lb or heavier head, or its 3rd world junk made from soft steel.
 
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Offhand, I'd say that new USA-made axes with your specs are currently not being made. If you don't want to restore a vintage one yourself, you could probably get one from an axe restorer that has an online presence.
 
Closest thing I can think of is the Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe. It's available with a 32" and a 3 and ¼ lbs head.

Honestly your best bet is to pick up an old 3 lbs head in good shape and a 32" handle. House Handle has that size available and a dayton in the weight shouldn't be too hard to find.
 
Hacked said:
Closest thing I can think of is the Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe. It's available with a 32" and a 3 and ¼ lbs head.

Honestly your best bet is to pick up an old 3 lbs head in good shape and a 32" handle. House Handle has that size available and a dayton in the weight shouldn't be too hard to find.
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I thought the Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe and similar Wetterlings American Forest Axe had 4-1/2 lb heads. But after seeing your post I did more searching and see that those were total weights and that the heads were only around 3-1/4 LB, as you say. At ~$200, they are both beyond my current budget.
 
Steve Tall said:
Offhand, I'd say that new USA-made axes with your specs are currently not being made. If you don't want to restore a vintage one yourself, you could probably get one from an axe restorer that has an online presence.
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Can any of you recommend some good axe restorers and tell me how to contact them?
 
I know of a Collins 3lb Connecticut on an original 29" handle just listed on eBay. It's awesome. Not cheap but cheaper than anything that could even come close to it.
 
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Brazos_Jack said:
Can any of you recommend some good axe restorers and tell me how to contact them?
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Forum rules prevent recommending names (unless they've "paid their dues" here) but maybe a restorer from this forum will email you (if you enabled that option).

Failing that, a google search for
restored vintage axes
gave at least four on the first page of results.
And there's that auction site, and that crafts site.
 
Steve Tall said:
Forum rules prevent recommending names (unless they've "paid their dues" here) but maybe a restorer from this forum will email you (if you enabled that option).

Failing that, a google search for
restored vintage axes
gave at least four on the first page of results.
And there's that auction site, and that crafts site.
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Thank you, I apologize for my unintentional breech of etiquette.
 
The best bet would be the Snow & Nealley single bit axe at 3.5 lbs, 30" handle, USA made, and all for less than $80.00 shipped if you know how to shop.
 
What Steve Tall said. You'll have to stumble across one done to your specs, or you'll have to put one together yourself, or have one done. And what jblyttle said. Follow the white rabbit.
 
Brazos_Jack said:
I thought the Gransfors Bruks American Felling Axe and similar Wetterlings American Forest Axe had 4-1/2 lb heads. But after seeing your post I did more searching and see that those were total weights and that the heads were only around 3-1/4 LB, as you say. At ~$200, they are both beyond my current budget.
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Like I said close, certainly not what I would choose. As I said as well as others look for something old. Either way you should know how to sharpen and haft an axe if you plan to use one. An old head in good shape would be a great way to kill two birds with the same stone IMO.
 
2 1/2 to 3 pound axes are not common even for vintage. They do come up though. Just look what comes up on ebay under axe head and put in a bid. Ask the seller what weight it is before you bid, if it isn't in the listing.
 
I've found a few axe heads in this weight range fleabay. None are "buy-it-now" but some will close in a few days. I'll see if I can win one. After that I'll be looking for a source of good quality axe handles.
 
I just won a couple of heads on ebay:

A “Vaughan Super Steel Single Bit Axe Head” weighing “2.6 lbs”

“Marshall-Wells Zenith Cold Test Single Bit Axe Head” weighing “just shy of 3 lbs”

What can you tell me about either of these? Are they any good?

I want to go for a total length as close to 30" as possible without going under. Are the lengths listed on the House Handle site the unfinished length as delivered or the target finished length after installation? In other words, should I order a 30" to end up with a 30" finished length or do I order a 32" to end up with a 30.5"-31" finished length?
 
Vaughan is still making axes to this day though only their hatchets are produced in the USA. I own a couple of their hatchets and I can tell you that the steel is of good quality and they are well tempered for there intended use.

Marshall-Wells Zenith I believe was a hardware store and so more than likly made by another manufacturing company for Marshall-Wells.

For the handles I will let someone who has ordered handles in that size answer. I'm looking to order some 32" handles for a Jersey and a Rockaway soon enough so I'm interested to know myself.
 
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Lieblad said:
Best of all, gives you bragging rights and a superiority over the other axe chumps to own an axe made in europe.
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This "chump" will be sticking with his USA made axes.
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As for Helko, I'll just leave this here.
 
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Brazos_Jack said:
“Marshall-Wells Zenith Cold Test Single Bit Axe Head” weighing “just shy of 3 lbs”

What can you tell me about either of these? Are they any good?
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Hacked said:
Marshall-Wells Zenith I believe was a hardware store and so more than likly made by another ave manufacturing company for Marshall-Wells.
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Marshall Wells sold axes for many years and undoubtedly sourced axes from various suppliers over time. But I recall that for some time they were made by Welland Vale - a Canadian maker who became a part of True Temper. 'Zenith' was Marshall Wells top line of axes. Those are quality axes.
 
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