How to tell a newer POS Collins from a older one?

C

Crazyotter

Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
334
Does anyone here know how to tell the older Collins from the newer ones? Trying to figure out if a Collins I just picked up is worth hanging. The Collins in the square is offset to the left, to allow a 3 1/2 stamp on the side. Never seen that on the older ones, or the metal wedge this had. It also has a partial silver square label, with illegible blue writing. Remnants of blue paint too, nothing special. Can anyone tell?
 
i have two older collins labled USA. however, i know that collins did use blue... i have an old hatchet head that was blue and stamped USA but does not have a collins stamp.
i still think that it is a collins though, but im not sure...

i think that the 'made in mexico' ones have an (M) inprinted into them... i could be wrong though...

pics would help...:)

axe history is a pretty fasinating subject isin't it???;)
 
If the head isn't too thick near the edge, preferably with a high centerline, and the hardness there is comparable to a good axe when it's filed, then I'd keep it.
 
Steve Tall said:
If the head isn't too thick near the edge, preferably with a high centerline, and the hardness there is comparable to a good axe when it's filed, then I'd keep it.
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but, does any self respecting person want to use and axe made in mexico? or china, or tawian..., etc... when there are so many ones available from the USA...
 
bearhunter said:
but, does any self respecting person want to use and axe made in mexico? or china, or tawian..., etc... when there are so many ones available from the USA...
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If it has the qualities that Steve mentioned, then it's most likely made in the US.
 
Thanks for the info, I'm coming to believe this is a US made Collins, but definitely a newer one. Also, I think I figured out that the label says Homestead. Should of thought of that early. But the profile is really good, the only thing I wonder with this is if its been tempered too hard. Thing rings like a bell when tapped. Have to decide whether or not I'll hang this one now, I tend to only use the three quarters axes. :)
 
M3mphis said:
If it has the qualities that Steve mentioned, then it's most likely made in the US.
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Yeah, that was my thinking. I should have made that more clear.

Although, if it did have those qualities and was made in Mexico, well... Mexico is more "local" than, say, Sweden. And if we're looking at distance, Condor Tool and Knife in El Salvador is closer to Texas, for example, than Best Made Company headquarters in New York. Just sayin...

But I'm in the USA and I prefer buying products that are Made in USA.
 
the fact is (are)...; cheap s$1t comes from SA, mexico,china, etc...
the sweds and krauts have been forging quality steel for generations... last time i checked, the chinese, south americans, or mexicans werent know for quality steel...!

america has a couple of companys that make quality steel... thus the velvicut... thats about it...

i try my best not to buy crap made in mexico, china, or SA... and i sure as hell am not going to buy any axe made in any of those places...
 
Now now Bear take it easy.
But I agree. Got caught -out recently out of curiosity over a stamp. But not again my friend.

My absolute favorite folding knife is Mercator. I have found over the years any German edged tool has very good qualities.

regards...Frank
 
Frank-New Zealand said:
Now now Bear take it easy.
But I agree. Got caught -out recently out of curiosity over a stamp. But not again my friend.

My absolute favorite folding knife is Mercator. I have found over the years any German edged tool has very good qualities.

regards...Frank
Click to expand...
oh... heck yeah! germans know how to make a good blade... some of the best in the world IMO...
there was no 'knock' against the kruats... good steel they have...! i actually have a couple of pumas from there...
i just really dont care for steel 'made in asia'... its not the fault of the asian people... its the fault of us...:(
 
There is a new book out on Collins axes that should tell you how. It's by Tom Lamond the Yesteryear Tool guy. Anything made by Collins or Mann ought to be good. I know some good stuff comes out of Europe, but ..... It's not that hard to find an old American/Canadian one that will give excellent satisfaction. I have an old Collinsville Legitimus that is like new and it was given to me. In my area it seems no one really cares much about axes and this forum is the only place I can discuss them with people who share the interest.
 
I won't buy new axes which are made in countries where the QC is low, but I'm not ashamed to pick them up at garage or estate sales and use them where they fit the bill. Just think of them as cheap disposable axes. Cut roots with them when you're digging out a stump - jobs like that.

I have a couple Asian hatchets and axes around. One estate sale Chinese hatchet is a little on the heavy side for a hatchet. It makes a dandy little splitter for woods that are easy to split like alder. It's held up well all winter long. It's been through probably a cord of alder and shows no signs of wear.

Would I trust it on a backpacking trip? No. For that I bring my Craftsman (Vaughan) which I can rely on. But cheap hatchets do provide utility.
 
never too sharp said:
Where are the sweds and kruats from, and how can I get some of their steel? ;)
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Hey, Crazy. On unmarked heads that I've found locally, I always ask if they mind if I run a file across the bit to check the hardness.
 
That's definitely a good idea, I'll have to try it. Just one more thing to really throw people for a loop. :)
 
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