India ? ....

D

Drum4fun

Joined
Mar 21, 2018
Messages
371
I picked this up at local thrift with plans to clean up and
give to a friend. As I started to clean it up I noticed a (previously
hidden from view) imprint "M INDI". Does this indicate the
ax was made in India ? Do they use substandard steel ? What is
the issue with detractors of India steel, too soft ? Should I just
keep it to practice (re-hang, edging etc.). re-donate ? My friend
just wanted one for his truck in case he had to clear a tree branch
from his property trail. Thanks.

btw...I only gave $5.00.

forgot to mention...the eye seems to have missed top dead center.

Charles
https://imgur.com/a/hrVKI
 
jfRsk7o.jpg


It looks like an H to me and my first though was HF (for Harbor Freight).

Photo below from Google image search result for
axe hf india
IMG_17131_zpssxconwxv.jpg
 
Thank you Mr. Tall. I believe you are correct. When I interrogated the archives I
learned that most ax/hatchets etc. with origins in India are not highly regarded.
I'm pretty sure this will be a "give away" after I sharpen, tighten, strip the varnish,
sand and test. The photo you linked looks identical. Thanks.
Charles
 
Drum4fun said:
Thank you Mr. Tall. I believe you are correct. When I interrogated the archives I
learned that most ax/hatchets etc. with origins in India are not highly regarded.
I'm pretty sure this will be a "give away" after I sharpen, tighten, strip the varnish,
sand and test. The photo you linked looks identical. Thanks.
Charles
Click to expand...
Your axe here really does look like garbage, but it could be an ok splitter.
I think this is an older harbor freight axe, the current ones look way better.
Now this doesn't mean the steel will be complete garbage.
I bought a $12 HF hatchet about 5½ or 6 years ago and the steel isn't bad at all, it holds a shaving edge pretty well.
You'd normally think such an edge on a cheap import would just roll or chip right away.
Maybe I got a 1 in 100 good example or they currently just do a decent job with them, but it tells me the can have an acceptable axe or hatchet made for them in India.
 
You found a $5 axe, your buddy wants a truck axe if he ever needs to clear a trail now and again. Sounds like a perfect match to me.
 
Wow thick eye walls just like a classic 'rafter'. Either the East Indians are aware of this or they're wisely taking into account the quality of steel they're working with. A file will tell you about the blade and physical use will tell you everything else. It looks to be a north American (or other 1st world destination) 'export' pattern though. As a truck axe (much like a snow brush, pry bar and cheap boxed tool set tucked under the seat) as long as it's sharp you won't go wrong.
 
Thanks to all respondents ! I will make this presentable to my buddy.... in the future I will pay better attention to Country of Origin. The metal file seems to indicate the cutting edge is pretty soft...able to get sharp, but doubtful it will hold an edge. Sounds about perfect for a truck ax. Thanks for the input. This was also my first full metal wedge (at least that I have noticed !).

Charles
 
The worst axes I have ever seen were made in India. Not to say they're all that bad. A few years ago a local hardware store had "American fellin axes" made in India. Just like a classic American axe they looked like they had been used to cut roots for 50 years and had toes 3/4" shorter than the heel. It's as if they looked for pictures of "American axes" online and found a bunch of worn out axes and thought that's how we liked our axes. How totally disconnected do you have to be to do that?

Then there's the lines of malleable iron striking tools from India. Made in the shape of picks and cutter mattocks and such. But they crack under mild impacts. They are pick-shaped objects only.
 
Thanks Square Peg.... as most casual users know nothing about these issues
I will warn my buddy about the limitations, and (of course), safety issues.
Thanks for the insights.

Charles
 
I agree with 300,-- a classic rafter ax. Should the file test come out soft. You can give it a better heat treat. DM
 
Thanks Miller '72.... seems to be the consensus of opinion on this forum... one
always holds out hope for that 1 in 100 ...but I don't think my blade is that one.
Thanks for the great photos.
Charles
 
India isn't exactly known these days for making steel tools with hard edges. Most are like butter. Still, it's useful to have around for things like root chopping and the like. If you use it as a truck axe, make sure you have a file and coarse stone in there as well.
 
Drum4fun's axe:
sMxpdjC.jpg






Another "Made in India" example, with details listed below, says this one's made of 1045 steel, comes from the 2nd largest manufacturer of striking tools (etc.) in the world, with 45% of their sales going to North America:
UT8EaiaXsxaXXagOFbXC.jpg

Quick Details
Place of Origin:
Punjab, India
Brand Name:
Gardex
Model Number:
60111102
Type:
Felling Axe
Axe Head Material:
Carbon Steel 1045
Handle Material:
Wood
Overall Length:
36 Inch
Weight: 4.5 LBS

------------------

GARDEX is the 2nd largest manufacturer of Striking Tools, Files / Rasps & Horse Shoe Nails in the world...
Total Employees: 101 - 200 People
Total Annual Revenue: US$10 Million - US$50 Million
Year Established: 1995
Top 3 Markets:
North America 45.00% [of revenues]
Central America 15.00%
Southern Europe 10.00%

from Alibaba dot com
 
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