Here is a nice rare Maine axe head

jblyttle

jblyttle

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Sep 3, 2014
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I bought this a little bit ago but just cleaned it up somewhat. I have never seen this maker before so thought it would be good to share. It's a nice 3.5lb classic Maine wedge.




 
The Maine pattern is easily my favorite single bit style...likely because I grew up with them, but they just always seem so "right" to my eye.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The Maine pattern is easily my favorite single bit style...likely because I grew up with them, but they just always seem so "right" to my eye.
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I'd never heard of much less seen a Maine pattern axe before getting online. What is the intended use and conditions that made the big wedge shape the preferred one? I'm sure they work, as Maine should know about axes and logging, but they just seem so different from every thing else.
 
Here are some good examples posted by G-pig in another thread.

Picture1183.jpg


I find them well-balanced with an ample poll, just the right balance of bit curvature, and depth of penetration vs. chip popping ability. Being in Maine, it's not surprising that the local pattern would be a good match for my environment, though!
 
BG_Farmer said:
I'd never heard of much less seen a Maine pattern axe before getting online. What is the intended use and conditions that made the big wedge shape the preferred one? I'm sure they work, as Maine should know about axes and logging, but they just seem so different from every thing else.
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Ease of manufacture was one reason. The old spillers, Emerson and stevens, etc all had basic wedge shapes that were relatively easy to make. More importantly, they were also pretty effective as well obviously. Future patterns with centerlines, grinds, bevels etc would take them over, but they have a place in history no doubt.
 
Nice example. I gravitate towards similar style, ie the Helko Classic because that's what is current, and finding a good serviceable Maine axe head is hard these days.
 
I'd argue that the Maine and Wedge patterns often get confused due to their nearly identical profile but different geometry. I've seen plenty of Maine pattern axes with high centerlines, and they're thinner than the Wedge or Half Wedge patterns. The heel is often a little further back, too, but by so small a degree as to make the difference in well-worn examples undiscernible.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I'd argue that the Maine and Wedge patterns often get confused due to their nearly identical profile but different geometry. I've seen plenty of Maine pattern axes with high centerlines, and they're thinner than the Wedge or Half Wedge patterns. The heel is often a little further back, too, but by so small a degree as to make the difference in well-worn examples undiscernible.
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Agreed, I have a favorite that is staying with me, I'll post sample pics later.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I'd argue that the Maine and Wedge patterns often get confused due to their nearly identical profile but different geometry. I've seen plenty of Maine pattern axes with high centerlines, and they're thinner than the Wedge or Half Wedge patterns. The heel is often a little further back, too, but by so small a degree as to make the difference in well-worn examples undiscernible.
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True. Older axes from the Maine area were all basics though, and as time went on and manufacturing methods evolved, you saw differences in axes from maine. By that time though the big boys of kelly collins plumb mann edge took over the markets with sheer numbers.
 
That's something I LOVE about Maine axes though, purely function. They might not be the most elegant patterns, the most fancy of branding but in the end they get the job done, and in a rather efficient manner.
 
DarthTaco123 said:
That's something I LOVE about Maine axes though, purely function. They might not be the most elegant patterns, the most fancy of branding but in the end they get the job done, and in a rather efficient manner.
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Exactly. They so accurately represent the characteristic Maine "git 'er done" attitude. :D
 
jblyttle said:
I bought this a little bit ago but just cleaned it up somewhat. I have never seen this maker before so thought it would be good to share. It's a nice 3.5lb classic Maine wedge.




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I have several marked KATCO. Have seen a John King but don't own one. Does anyone know the timeline of the different stamps? Same company? I'm assuming KATCO is later. The Davistown museum piece doesn't mention the KATCO stamp.
 
cooperhill said:
I have several marked KATCO. Have seen a John King but don't own one. Does anyone know the timeline of the different stamps? Same company? I'm assuming KATCO is later. The Davistown museum piece doesn't mention the KATCO stamp.
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Some more information, beyond what's in the Davistown museum reference:

King and Messer from 1902 to 1906 produced axes, and
probably became the King Axe and Tool Co from 1907 to either
1912 or 1917. It became the John King Axe Company, in
business from 1923 to 1925, then Marsh and Sons from 1926 to
1944. However, King Axe and Tool Company also operated
from 1933 to 1946, and John King Products produced axes from
1944 to 1946.

from Some Tidbits of Oakland History, by Michael J Denis, June 2013, page 43


So this result from a [supposedly] 1958 source is puzzling, because it still lists a King Axe & Tool Co in Oakland, Me, and it lists "Little Giant" as being a brand of King Axe & Tool Co. (Little Giant used to be a brand of the North Wayne Tool Co.):

Hardware Age, Vol. 182, Issues 1-3, 1958, page 94
 
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