It followed me home (Part 2)

Agent_H said:
I didn't see your last sentence -148lbs. Staring at the last photo n didn't scroll down enough.
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Yup. Perfect size for me. Hint- if you try to use your arms to move one like this it will make you feel pretty weak. If you bear hug it to carry it around its pretty easy.
 
So I have picked up maybe 8-10b axes so far on this trip averaging $5/per. I had hoped far many more, but my percentage of Maine made axes is great as 3-4 of them are. Here are the first two, both classic Maine wedges. The full sized is a Snow & Neally, the hatchet is a Spiller, my first hatchet sized Maine wedge. Super cool! Aside from some very minor poll marring both are in amazing condition. The full sized I will post for sale right away, the hatchet I will probably keep.



 
Those are nice axe heads - nice examples of Maine patterns. Don't see those here.

Also, took note of metal recyclers in my area. Going to give that a try given your advice of "make friends" there.

Intend to hang the Maine hatchet?
 
With the exception of the gray box this is what followed me home from Maine.



There are 5 suspected Maine axes in there, 3 confirmed so far. That cool little pick head is hand made. Those are a Hay Budden 148lb farrier anvil and a Vulcan 70-75lb anvil (reported weight not including the base).
 
jblyttle said:


I've been patient and been waiting for a good deal. This is a Hay Budden 148lb farrier anvil in really good shape, $125. YES!!!
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OMG!!!!!

Steal of the decade! That thing is in great shape. What a find! It's easily worth 3 times what you paid for it.
 
garry3 said:
You going to be dropping some timber greater than 6' wide?:D I know it comes bigger than that in BC.
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Got some up the mountain at the back of the property. :D

Gonna leave it there, though. Lots of bug-kill lower down that I can harvest and yard out a lot easier (pine, spruce, fir -- we got hit with a huge infestation of pests a few years ago).

garry3 said:
Why do you think it was made by Collins?
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It's a guess. According to the "Holy Book" Collins bought up the Sager (Warren) brand in 1950 but kept the brand separate until around 1958. (If I remember correctly...)

I've observed a number of Sagers going by on this site that are date-stamped and also stamped with reference to the Sager Chemical Process. My reading tells me that at one time Sager was THE brand in the woods. I can't see them putting LESS advertising on their heads unless they'd come down to being just another brand in someone's stable. Old advertising I've seen from the '20s and so on seems to show that in those days, if a company had more than one brand under its roof, that they differentiated the brands with special labels and stampings.

This is so minimalist I'm guessing it's later. Kind of like, "We want you to buy it because it's a Sager. But it's not a Sager, really, it's a Collins. That's why we don't make a big deal out of it."

I seem to recall seeing Sager Chemical axes at least up to 1948. We're back in guesswork territory, but if true that would indicate the chemical process was in use right up to the sale, or nearly. Not seeing any trace of bluing or other chemical indication on either one of my Sager heads, I'm thinking that they're from the Collins era. Good using axes, in other words, but not "store in dry nitrogen atmosphere" level. Probably this felling axe will be displayed more than used, but like others on this board I'll probably take it out and try it.
 
Skiv said:
Got some up the mountain at the back of the property. :D

Gonna leave it there, though. Lots of bug-kill lower down that I can harvest and yard out a lot easier (pine, spruce, fir -- we got hit with a huge infestation of pests a few years ago).



It's a guess. According to the "Holy Book" Collins bought up the Sager (Warren) brand in 1950 but kept the brand separate until around 1958. (If I remember correctly...)

I've observed a number of Sagers going by on this site that are date-stamped and also stamped with reference to the Sager Chemical Process. My reading tells me that at one time Sager was THE brand in the woods. I can't see them putting LESS advertising on their heads unless they'd come down to being just another brand in someone's stable. Old advertising I've seen from the '20s and so on seems to show that in those days, if a company had more than one brand under its roof, that they differentiated the brands with special labels and stampings.

This is so minimalist I'm guessing it's later. Kind of like, "We want you to buy it because it's a Sager. But it's not a Sager, really, it's a Collins. That's why we don't make a big deal out of it."

I seem to recall seeing Sager Chemical axes at least up to 1948. We're back in guesswork territory, but if true that would indicate the chemical process was in use right up to the sale, or nearly. Not seeing any trace of bluing or other chemical indication on either one of my Sager heads, I'm thinking that they're from the Collins era. Good using axes, in other words, but not "store in dry nitrogen atmosphere" level. Probably this felling axe will be displayed more than used, but like others on this board I'll probably take it out and try it.
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I think the Sagers made in the Canadian factory were just marked Sager, not dated or chemical process marked. The couple I have marked just Sager came from Canada. They look older and more finely polished than 1950 Collins to my eye.
 
jblyttle said:
In some ways disappointing, far fewer axes here than in MA which is surprising, also prices in general are much higher. However, I have still had success and will post all the stuff that I have found, but real quick I had to post this one thing...

I've been patient and been waiting for a good deal. This is a Hay Budden 148lb farrier anvil in really good shape, $125. YES!!!
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Funny story- Mine (a 146# Hay-Budden farrier's anvil) followed me home last year when I won it in a bet from my brother-in-law! Lovely anvils, never really plan on letting mine go. He's still got a few axes that he refuses to sell me...
 
halfaxe said:
I think the Sagers made in the Canadian factory were just marked Sager, not dated or chemical process marked. The couple I have marked just Sager came from Canada. They look older and more finely polished than 1950 Collins to my eye.
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That'd fit with me being in Canada, wouldn't it?

I know Operator has an NOS Canadian Warren-Pink Sager Special Chemical Process Puget Sound pattern head. I'll shoot a PM his way and see if he can respond with what kind of marking might be on it. He's got the label, though, so anything under the label is a mystery, I guess.
 
I got out yesterday and came across two nice axes. Here is a Kelly Works Woodslasher Boys axe I happened upon.



Painted black obviously.


Don't know if this handle is original but if not, someone chose a nice one.


.
I've been coming across more and more Kelly/True Temper tools here lately. Finally convinced the shop owner to write the prices on the handle as opposed to Sharpie on the heads.
 
My brother has been hounding me to find him a Hudson Bay pattern. I figured if a head or handled one presented itself at a decent price I would get him one.

This one followed me home today:
QnQF8T6.jpg


The metal wedge has it in there securely. I have a Norlund camp axe or splitter that came with a factory metal wedge so I assume some companies sent them that way.

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It's secure enough I think it should take normal use fine. Anyone with "metal wedge" experience as to makers?

kJaWykW.jpg


The only marks are the weight 1 3/4 marked under the poll. I've found a few posts with similar heads. Snow & Neally maybe? Any Hudson Bay-wise ID knowledge?

Given how straight the wear seems across the eye towards the poll, does it look like normal wear or does it look like it was run on a belt/electric tool?

Y6muvHd.jpg


Regardless, I think he is going to get a kick out of it.
 
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Agent_H said:
My brother has been hounding me to find him a Hudson Bay pattern. I figured if a head or handled one presented itself at a decent price I would get him one.

This one followed me home today:


The metal wedge has it in there securely. I have a Norlund camp axe or splitter that came with a factory metal wedge so I assume some companies sent them that way.



It's secure enough I think it should take normal use fine. Anyone with "metal wedge" experience as to makers?



The only marks are the weight 1 3/4 marked under the poll. I've found a few posts with similar heads. Snow & Neally maybe? Any Hudson Bay-wise ID knowledge?

Given how straight the wear seems across the eye towards the poll, does it look like normal wear or does it look like it was run on a belt/electric tool?



Regardless, I think he is going to get a kick out of it.
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My guess (only a guess) is that he handle and wedge are not original. Full metal wedges that I have seen fill the entire space front to back. The head looks great, I would say normal wear. Anyone that would belt-sand the entire surface would never do so as neatly. Your brother should be very pleased.
 
I agree that the handle is probably a replacement, but check the side in the middle for stamping. S'Nealley stamped their logo on factory handles, and it might have been rewedged. Regardless, if that's not a S'Nealley, I'll eat an axe sheath. I've seen more than a few before. Looks like a Maine pattern, the weight stamp is correct, the grinded finish, and the color are all dead on.
 
Agent H : Snow & Neally used a big metal wedge on their Hudson bay axes for decades. No wood wedge at all. Also they were stamped 1 3/4 under the poll. L.L. Bean axes made by S&N as well. Almost definitely S&N axe there with original wedge and probably handle.
 
Looks like a S&N head with a S&N wedge, oil the handle and you might find the handle branding like I did on the S&N Jersey I had.
 
I appreciate it guys. Good to know that it is a quality axe.

The guy I got it from was hanging on to it and I bumped into him at someone else's shop. He told me he had something in his truck that he thought I would want. He deals antiquities and is setting up an apothecary (sp?) display with a bunch of mid-late 1800's labels so I think what I paid him went towards "glassware" of some sort- nice guy. I think I got a good price on it and I know that my brother is going to really enjoy it. He's a good ol' guy and wants to know if he can dress his next elk with it.

It will look good and be sharp when I hand it over.
I'll take some pictures when I finish it.
 
Nothing as fancy and antique as most of whats come up, but was cruising though a thrift shop the other day and snagged a 28 inch fiskars ax. looks like it was never used, labeled fiskars finland, so I'm guessing its an early one. best part was the price. It'll make a decent all-rounder and I'm happy to have a synthetic considering what the local humidity changes do to wood handles. Wife was not entirely pleased, since I really shouldn't have been spending, but then again, as long as I'm spending the beer money on toys and not being too irresponsible, I get a little bit of a pass.
Debating picking up a couple really annoying colors to paint it so it doesn't go for a walk on its own. What do you figure? barbie pink and orange? or maybe a little more civil and go orange/ OD to match my rat3? or maybe a red/white candy-cane stripe?
 
jblyttle said:
With the exception of the gray box this is what followed me home from Maine.



There are 5 suspected Maine axes in there, 3 confirmed so far. That cool little pick head is hand made. Those are a Hay Budden 148lb farrier anvil and a Vulcan 70-75lb anvil (reported weight not including the base).
Click to expand...

Good score! Two very nice anvils and is that cruiser a Main also?
 
Found this in an antique store over the weekend. I couldn't walk away from it. True Temper Flint Edge Puget Sound pattern in excellent condition.

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Decent handle. Comfortably slim. It needs to be reset as it's a little loose and not fit as well as I like.

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I think she's got very sexy curves. The bits have been thinned - a full banana of sorts. Will only need a minor touch up.

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