Inherited Grandpa's Axes...

Stump Buster

Stump Buster

Joined
Nov 15, 2007
Messages
5,267
Hey Guys,

I inherited my grandfather's axes that he used to keep in the back yard. I can remember seeing them and playing around with them when we'd visit as a boy. They were two of the very few things I requested when my aunt asked if I wanted anything from his estate when he passed. The handles were a wreck, but a buddy of mine pulled the heads and cleaned them up for me. He rough fitted a haft to the Homestead boy's axe for me and I started sanding it down today for stain and added a few finger grooves for close shaving work. I understand the Homestead heads are pretty common, but if anyone has any idea about the make or history of the larger unmarked head, I'd love to hear it.

Here are a few pictures (My Grandfather stamped all his tools with the same "AP" mark so they wouldn't get lifted at job sites)...



The larger head...




more...
 
Last edited:
Stump Buster said:
cont...

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Mike
Click to expand...

That's the view I was looking for. I was 90% sure you had a Kelly Woodslasher before seeing the eye ridges. Now I'm 99% sure. No stamp and eye ridges is almost always a Kelly Woodslasher.
 
The Collins homestead axes are great ( I know my Michigan pattern is ) I've never seen that stamp though. The most common ones are later flat cheeked blue painted ones made after Mann bought Collins. Most that you see will just say homestead ( usually being the later Mann ones with flat cheeks and blue paint ) mine is an older true Collins made axe. I'm assuming that since Mann used the stamp that it must've been the latest one used before they bought Collins ,so yours is probably much older than mine is.

And like has been said that no name Michigan pattern is probably a Kelly wood slasher.
 
Thanks Guys. Keep the info coming as I don't know anything about axe history, so this is a great learning opportunity for me. I'm just glad to have these in my possession, but knowing their manufacturing background is an added bonus.

Is the terminology "boys axe" correct for the Homestead or is it called something else? I just did an image search for homestead axe stamp history and only found one other picture of a head with this stamp (in a bladeforums link... http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/966510-Collins-and-Co-Manufacturing-Thread )

Thanks Again!
 
Last edited:
"Boy's axe" terminology is unique to USA for 2 1/4 +/- lb heads with axe (not hatchet) handles. Elsewhere they go by other names; in Canada these would be referred to as a "pulpwood" axe or more recently they've been referring to them as "chainsaw" axe.
 
"Boys Axe" is not any specific manufacturer. Its just a well known & generic description of a single bit approx 2-2.5 pound x 24-26" in a common felling axe pattern. Also known as "3/4" size axe.

Btw, Regards to your Grandad...:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Just a quick follow-up to share how the Homestead turned out after staining the handle. It's going to be my "go to" campsite axe when out in the woods...

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top