Help with ID on 2 axes please

Col Defender

Col Defender

Joined
Nov 11, 2011
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Hope someone can help me here. Both these came in today's garage sale outing. One has a "Plumb" handle and the other has ridges inside the eye like I have seen on Kelly axes. But even after lots of power wire brushing with a cup brush, I cannot find any maker id on the heads. Wondering what I can conclude here. It seems unlikely that the red handle in the photo is not the original handle therefor the axe should be a Plumb. And in my limited experience I have seen eye ridges only in Kelly's. But the head with ridges does not have the usual raised forged surface I have seen on other Kellys. But does anyone with more knowledge and experience than I have any further thoughts? I understand it will be difficult to know for certain but what do you guys think?

Thanks very much for any insights.
 
I see that handle says cooper tools on it... I don't know the time frame but that's definitely a newer axe. Maybe last ten years or so? I think I saw some like that for sale at a hardware store not long ago. So that's probably why the head doesn't have a stamp. Not sure on the Kelly... I think I had a bluegrass once that had those ridges too, though it was three to a side, but mostly it does seem to be a kelly thing.
 
The "ridges" clue can only take u so far. Kelly did use the ridges in the woodslasher line, but also in the flint edge, perfect, and other lines as well over time. Also other manufacturers used the ridges as well, just not in the scope Kelly did.

Your plumb axe with name on handle only was probably a hardware line for a company, maybe like ace or another company. Just a guess.
 
I've seen ridges in Collins and Stiletto axes, too. But I think True Temper/Kelly is responsible for most of the ridged eye axes out there. The Plumb is definitely a newer one. Can't tell for sure from the pic but it looks to have flat cheeks rather than the high centerline of a vintage axe. In my experience such axes have less than top quality steel.

The one with the ridges looks to be in pretty decent shape - no excessive wear. And I would bet it has pretty good steel. It's the better one of the pair. A file will tell for sure how good it is.
 
I'd guess the axe is plumb too. Just a guess based on the handle. Probably post 80s.
 
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