It followed me home (Part 2)

I didn't realize that WVT was still making axes in America that recently.

Yeah, Woodings-Verona was acquired by Ames in 1997. I have a "Made in USA" US95 axe from Woodings-Verona. Ames supposedly still uses the former Woodings-Verona factory in Falls City, Nebraska, to make their line of "True American" axes.

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From a press release:

January 16, 1997--U.S. Industries, Inc. (NYSE-USI) announced today that a unit of its Ames garden tool company has purchased the assets of Woodings- Verona Tool Works, Inc. for $5 million in cash plus the assumption of $1.2 million of debt.

Woodings-Verona, a privately-held company based in Verona, Pennsylvania, manufactures hot-forged heavy striking tools including sledge hammers, axes, bars, picks and railroad tools. The company has been in operation for 120 years and is a leader in its industry. Woodings-Verona's revenues for the fiscal year ended September 1996 were approximately $17 million.

David H. Clarke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Industries, said, "This acquisition is consistent with our strategy to add branded product lines to our existing core businesses."

Rick E. Keup, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ames, stated, "Woodings-Verona is a respected name in its market segment and we look forward to building on that reputation."

Ames is the leading manufacturer and marketer in North America of non-powered lawn, garden and industrial hand tools and ladders for professional and residential use. The Ames companies sell their products under the brand names Ames, Eagle, Keller and Garant and their products include shovels and garden tools, snow shovels and pushers, shear tools, wheelbarrows, hose reels, ladders and other hand tools.

Woodings-Verona has manufacturing facilities in Falls City, Nebraska, and Columbiana, Ohio. It markets its products to major distributors and merchants, and through representatives to numerous hardware and industrial supply outlets throughout North America.


http://www.thefreelibrary.com/U.S.+Industries+purchases+Woodings-Verona+Tool+Works+for+$6.2+million.-a019029601
 
Found these at an estate sale. The hatchet is pretty interesting. I've never seen one. Anyone know about it?the eye is threaded and the handle is metal and appears to be original, but is missing something because the end of the handle has female threads and a set screw.

The cleaver is kind of neat too. It has a full, tapered tang. I couldn't pass it up
 
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...The hatchet is pretty interesting. I've never seen one. Anyone know about it?the eye is threaded and the handle is metal and appears to be original, but is missing something because the end of the handle has female threads and a set screw....


NO-STUK Combination Shovel--Pick--Ax
Packed in a heavy strong bag it is ready for instant use for the particular work at hand no matter what the task may be nor how heavy the work required of it.
Secure one through your local dealer. If by chance he hasn't it order direct from us please.
Price complete $10.00
Manufactured and Sold by The Nostuk Mfg Co 2124 North Clark Street Chicago Illinois


books


from The Automobile Trade Directory, Volume 19, Chilton Class Journal Company, 1921
 
NO-STUK Combination Shovel--Pick--Ax
Packed in a heavy strong bag it is ready for instant use for the particular work at hand no matter what the task may be nor how heavy the work required of it.
Secure one through your local dealer. If by chance he hasn't it order direct from us please.
Price complete $10.00
Manufactured and Sold by The Nostuk Mfg Co 2124 North Clark Street Chicago Illinois


books


from The Automobile Trade Directory, Volume 19, Chilton Class Journal Company, 1921

Thanks. I couldn't find anything on it. Wish I would've found the rest of it
 
I grabbed this load today for $175. Lots of good stuff in there.


Looks like a Duff Barret railroad jack in the back there, maybe a 10 or 15 ton model. There doesn't seem to be much of a market for those yet but they're still very useful and will last for centuries.

What is that sledge-eye adze-like tool?
 
Looks like a Duff Barret railroad jack in the back there, maybe a 10 or 15 ton model. There doesn't seem to be much of a market for those yet but they're still very useful and will last for centuries.

What is that sledge-eye adze-like tool?

The jack is a Simplex 39 car type jack. Great shape, paid $5. The adze type tool looks like a sort of bead breaking hammer head. No markings, different shape than I am used to.
 
These followed me home over the weekend. All of the Collins have original handles in perfect condition, the Legitimus, and Commander are weight stamped on the poll. The double bit swamper is simply stamped Collins. The Legitimus, supposedly the best axe Collins made has horrible, perfectly horizontal grain.:D

Both of the Plumbs have cracked handles. The boys axe handle can be saved, but the 4 pounders can not.


 
These followed me home over the weekend. All of the Collins have original handles in perfect condition, the Legitimus, and Commander are weight stamped on the poll. The double bit swamper is simply stamped Collins. The Legitimus, supposedly the best axe Collins made has horrible, perfectly horizontal grain.:D


Nice batch of axes!
 
I know I paid too much at $35.00 but you just never see these Civilian Conservation Corps axes where I am. Seeings as the CCC only existed about a decade I think I've got the age of this one nailed down, I'm using WD-40, a SOS pad, and limited patience on the head. Not sure if I want to go full restoration and sharpen the bits and re-hang it or simply clean off the surface crud and sell as-is. I'm putting my bet on a Kelly, as they're the only CCC axe makers I've seen so far.
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A nice old lady gave me this 1 1/2 lbs hatchet today. Not sure what I got as it is very rusty but otherwise very good shape.

Only markings aside from 1 1/2 lbs I can see.

 
A nice old lady gave me this 1 1/2 lbs hatchet today. Not sure what I got as it is very rusty but otherwise very good shape.
You are located in Canada if I recall. I've lamented about the 'flat slab' handles that Garant PQ made and marketed from the mid-1990s until very recently. Your hatchet handle is a flat slab. Their axe heads are sourced from elsewhere and they assemble them into complete tools. When the paper label wears off there generally is no stamp underneath. The epoxy-filled eye puzzles me though; not something I've seen on any Garants before, if that's what it is.
 
I am in Canada and have been finding some very different axes it seems. I seem to recall that Garant uses yellow paint on their stuff unless they used red at one time. This hatchet appears to have traces of red paint. Think I've seen the marks ZH before but it's not ringing any bells at the moment.
 
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