In need of Vintage Felling Axe

A

andrewj

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Nov 18, 2013
Messages
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I am an amateur, let's be honest. I am looking for a felling axe, double bit, vintage, that I can trust. I have swung many an axe and split many a log, but never purchased my own axe. I'm in college, but belong in the wood.

I've searched eBay but I just don't have the eye for a solid vintage head yet. I don't mind getting it rehung or cleaning it up a bit, but I just can't seem to make the plunge on buying one of these old axes without knowing much about it just by looking at it.

Any one looking and see any links on eBay I should check out? Or have tips?

Much appreciated gents

John
 
"In need of Vintage Felling Axe "

Any 3.5 Lb. single bit, Michigan, Dayton, Connecticut or Jersey Kelly, Plumb, USA Collins, Sager or Council Tool should work very well for you.
There are others, but these are fairly common at yard/garage sales and the bay.

Tom
 
Here's a couple of general rules for you. Any of the vintage axes will have convex cheeks, also called a high centerline. The new stuff has flat cheeks. You don't want those. They don't throw the chips and they stick in the wood. The other thing to look for is that the toe (upper tip of the bit) is longer than the heel (lower tip of the bit). When axes get abused and resharpened it's almost always the toes that take the damage. An axe with a short toe has been beat. Another thing to look out for is a bit that's too round - another sign of excess use or abuse.

Pretty stamps mean nothing for a utility axe. A premium axe will often have a nice maker's stamp on it. But upgrading to a nicer handle is more important than upgrading to better steel. It would be different if you were a lumberjack 80 years ago. But to the casual user any of the vintage axes will do just fine.
 
There will be plenty of axes out there to suit you.

I really like what you have written...I am in college, but belong in the woods. When I was a school kid I knew I wanted to be in the bush. I'm over 60 now and still love it.
My first real axe was 4 1/2 lb Hytest. I like an axe with a bit of heft.

regards...Frank
 
Peg offers great advice. Just search the Bay for "sager axe" or "collins axe" or "Kelly Axe" and see what you like. If you have the time to be picky, you can find great axes cheap, which will lead to having more than one. That's not a bad thing, either- no one axe is perfect for everything, so why stop at one?

Try to look for and buy from sellers that sell a lot of axes or logging tools. I've bought plenty from guys that source tools from the NW part of the USA. Lots of good felling axes.
 
I don't know where you live. If you were in my neck of the woods I'd lend you an oldie to try out. For some reason I have never been comfortable using a double bit.
 
Good advice already- only thing I will suggest from spending plenty $$ on the auction site- A standard Plumb or True Temper Flint Edge will give you a great tool without the premium of getting into the more collectible lines like Kelly Perfect, USFS issue or Collins Legitimus.

Plumbs are common and very good quality.

Bill
 
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