It followed me home

Status
Not open for further replies.
I was also up in the mountains this past weekend and hit up a fleamarket and saw many, many vintage axes. I wish I could have bought all of them, as there were a lot of nice examples. I passed on what seemed to be a 50s Craftsman axe that was stamped with one of the craftsman logos and made in the U.S.A., and said something about patent pending underneath. But I did end up picking up these two to add to the collection:

A big Sager...probably in the 4.5 pound range. It seems like it's in good shape, but it has an odd handle. The bit looks like it was sharpened on a belt sander, and needs some convexing for sure. It's hard to see, but the handle is only slightly curved, is pretty thin, but has a very large flare at the bottom. It also has a striped appearance. It doesn't fit great but feels secure. Keep the handle or reuse it on something a little smaller that might fit it better?







And then there's this beauty...a Cayuga double bit from Baker Rose & Kimball. I has an Indian head stamp. It seems to have been re-handled as well. Apparently it dates from between 1928 and 1952. It's a little over ground on the toe, but it seems in great shape overall. Again, I am unsure if I'll keep the handle or not as I am not sure if it's original or not. It feels like it's in the 3-3.5 pound range.




 
I had to pay a premium at the auction in town here, but got all three with one sale sunday morning

DSCN2147.jpg
[/url][/IMG]
 
Nice grabs all around!

SC- that handle does look odd, but the hang looks good. Does it feel good in the hand? If not, you won't use it, so a rehang might be in order.

Electricfax- What axe makes are we looking at? You must have found yourself an axe collector or serious user. Good haul
 
jpeeler said:
Nice grabs all around!

SC- that handle does look odd, but the hang looks good. Does it feel good in the hand? If not, you won't use it, so a rehang might be in order.
Click to expand...

Honestly it does feel a little odd...but that may be due to the weight of that monster Sager. It's larger and heavier than I am used to, but I haven't done any real work with it. It almost looks like it was done as a wall hanger, as the handle seems to have been stained and sanded, albeit a little oddly, and with an unknown wood. That the biggest thing...I don't want that head coming off due to weak wood...it could be hickory, but it's the weirdest hickory I've seen if so. And you make an excellent point...if it feels funny/unsafe I'll definitely rehang it.
 
jpeeler said:
Nice grabs all around!

Wlectricfax- What axe makes are we looking at? You must have found yourself an axe collector or serious user. Good haul
Click to expand...

Agreed...nice finds. I, too, am curious what we are looking at. Post up some pics of the stamps if they have them!
 
Well the Michigan has no stamps to be found but it has a ribbed eye. The smaller Connecticut patern is an emerson & stevens 3 1/4# made in 1936 and the larger Connecticut is a Kelly. the stamps on that one are barely legible but it looks like it says Kellys flint edge. charelston WV I kinda ground too far not seeing the stamps. it also has a 2 on the bottom of the pole. I just posted pics of the e&s on the maine axe thread

DSCN2150.jpg
[/url][/IMG]

DSCN2149.jpg
[/url][/IMG]

DSCN2145.jpg
[/url][/IMG]

DSCN2144.jpg
[/url][/IMG]

DSCN2143.jpg
[/url][/IMG]
 
But yeah the guy I was bidding against was Howard Hardy. Hes a collector around here. Hes actually gained some fame from his axes. Hes from Oakland and has a seminar Wednesday nights in the (oakland museum I think)on axes and their history in the state of maine. I think youll find an article online about him. Super nice guy and a book of knowledge! When I bid against him I know im bidding on something good hahah
 
SC T100 said:
Found a few things on a picking trip. No idea what many of them are though, so here goes:

Merit small hatchet...the head must only weight 3/4 of a pound...pretty light, and on a neat (apparently) vintage handle that I think I can restore. It's got a nasty chip coming off the handle base, but a little epoxy should fix it up. Any idea if it's a good one? I haven't been able to find much information yet. It's currently in a vinegar soak.



hard to see, but the other stamp says F7

And there's a minor crack in the eye that extends from the bottom upwards about 1/8" that I don't think I will worry about.


Splitting maul...no name...could be a cheapo that's been sitting around. Stamped M6 and Wear Safety Goggles. It's an axe-eye maul, so I like it better than the sledge eye that I already have.


A "Worth" brand hatchet...can't find any info so far on this one either. It seems vintage, but I'm not sure...the handle has a nasty, yellowed lacquer on it and an odd-shaped handle. May have been painted at some point too.



An unknown axe head...has a temper line, so it must be decent at least. The poll is pretty mushroomed, but the eye is straight as I can tell...must be good steel. It's stamped with a 3 on the side, an H on the side, and a small 40 on the bottom of the poll.


Nevermind the discolored bit section...it's just still wet from a minor cleaning I gave it.
Poll...eye seems straight, even though the pic makes it look crooked. The pic also makes the mushroom look worse than it is, but there it is anyway.


And then this Heller file...it's huge and feels like it's been rarely used, if ever. The handle soaked up a ton of BLO last night...it still feels very very sharp. Impressive file for $2.

Like I said, it's pretty big.

The handle is stamped Lutz File and Tool Co



Any info would be appreciated as I am still looking into some of these. I'm really hoping to find out more about the big axe head...it's in the vinegar so hopefully I'll find more out later tonight. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I have the same exact splitting maul it is far from quality but hey I can beat on it and not cry.
 
SC T100 said:
Found a few things on a picking trip. No idea what many of them are though, so here goes:

Merit small hatchet...the head must only weight 3/4 of a pound...pretty light, and on a neat (apparently) vintage handle that I think I can restore. It's got a nasty chip coming off the handle base, but a little epoxy should fix it up. Any idea if it's a good one? I haven't been able to find much information yet. It's currently in a vinegar soak.



hard to see, but the other stamp says F7

And there's a minor crack in the eye that extends from the bottom upwards about 1/8" that I don't think I will worry about.


Splitting maul...no name...could be a cheapo that's been sitting around. Stamped M6 and Wear Safety Goggles. It's an axe-eye maul, so I like it better than the sledge eye that I already have.


A "Worth" brand hatchet...can't find any info so far on this one either. It seems vintage, but I'm not sure...the handle has a nasty, yellowed lacquer on it and an odd-shaped handle. May have been painted at some point too.



An unknown axe head...has a temper line, so it must be decent at least. The poll is pretty mushroomed, but the eye is straight as I can tell...must be good steel. It's stamped with a 3 on the side, an H on the side, and a small 40 on the bottom of the poll.


Nevermind the discolored bit section...it's just still wet from a minor cleaning I gave it.
Poll...eye seems straight, even though the pic makes it look crooked. The pic also makes the mushroom look worse than it is, but there it is anyway.


And then this Heller file...it's huge and feels like it's been rarely used, if ever. The handle soaked up a ton of BLO last night...it still feels very very sharp. Impressive file for $2.

Like I said, it's pretty big.

The handle is stamped Lutz File and Tool Co



Any info would be appreciated as I am still looking into some of these. I'm really hoping to find out more about the big axe head...it's in the vinegar so hopefully I'll find more out later tonight. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I have the exact same splitting maul it is not cry about it.
 
SC T100 said:
The Merit is out of its bath. Looks good! Dull as can be but I have ways of making things pointy again!


The axe head from my previous post cleaned up decently. I didn't find any other stamps or marks though, unfortunately. It still only has a big "H" at the poll, and little "40" (maybe the year?) under the poll, and a "3" in the middle of the blade. It certainly has a tempered bit though!



I did find an odd shape inside the head at the back of the eye...it like a small thumb sized depression bisected by a thin groove, which you can sort of see here:


Interestingly, it looks like the hardened bit was added on, as you can see the tempered "V" here:



Without and other markings, I plan to clean it up and hang it (it should stick well, I slid it on a handle I had and the thing almost didn't want to come back off!).

Any suggestions for getting rid of the mushrooming that doesn't involve 6 hours of hard filing? I have a grinder, but would it overheat the poll? Would that matter since it's not tempered anyway?
Click to expand...

I use a bench grinder on mine but I always have icy water right next to me to dip it in every 30 seconds or so.
 
thefirstsuspect said:
I use a bench grinder on mine but I always have icy water right next to me to dip it in every 30 seconds or so.
Click to expand...

Best way I know to preserve temper when grinding on an axe is to keep your thumb held tightly against the steel just opposite the grinding wheel. When it gets too hot for your thumb it's time to quench. And always stay away from the very edge. It can heat up and lose temper in a split second. Save that area for filing. Safest thing is to do it all by file.
 
Square_peg said:
Best way I know to preserve temper when grinding on an axe is to keep your thumb held tightly against the steel just opposite the grinding wheel. When it gets too hot for your thumb it's time to quench. And always stay away from the very edge. It can heat up and lose temper in a split second. Save that area for filing. Safest thing is to do it all by file.
Click to expand...
yeah I dont ever use a bench grinder on my edge!
 
I do but I also have the capability to normalize and heat treat.... Like Peg said, the very thin edges can overheat in a nano second. Never bare down on it....
 
Spent more than I like to being a very cheap man: $20 for this Welland Vale True Temper Black Prince double bit. Justified it because I'm a Welland Vale fan - good axe, high centre line, made locally - and because the handle is usable and has perfect grain alignment.

11cf448.jpg


jac3zs.jpg


2n91sw.jpg


I also grabbed this thing which I thought was an auger gimlet or something similar... now I'm not sure if it isn't just a hook:

k3tx92.jpg


My hope was to use it for tapping trees next year during the spring sap run. I wanted a t-handle auger but have not been able to find one the right size. Maybe I can sharpen this enough that it will work? Know there are some auger guys out there please let me know if I've got a hook or a potential tool.


thanks
 
Many people have have been pleased with a light axe on a long handle. Check the eye size. That will distinguish a true cruiser from a worn full size.

I might be heading to the flea market this weekend. Last time I was at this market a fella had a box full of 7/16" T-handled augers. If he's got any left I'll grab you one.

Army surplus. They look like the one on the right except unfinished/rusty. But in like new condition.

Augers.jpg
 
wdmn said:
Spent more than I like to being a very cheap man: $20 for this Welland Vale True Temper Black Prince double bit. Justified it because I'm a Welland Vale fan - good axe, high centre line, made locally - and because the handle is usable and has perfect grain alignment.

11cf448.jpg


jac3zs.jpg


2n91sw.jpg


I also grabbed this thing which I thought was an auger gimlet or something similar... now I'm not sure if it isn't just a hook:

k3tx92.jpg


My hope was to use it for tapping trees next year during the spring sap run. I wanted a t-handle auger but have not been able to find one the right size. Maybe I can sharpen this enough that it will work? Know there are some auger guys out there please let me know if I've got a hook or a potential tool.


thanks
Click to expand...

That auger/hook thing looks hand forged, very cool!
 
Square_peg said:
Many people have have been pleased with a light axe on a long handle. Check the eye size. That will distinguish a true cruiser from a worn full size.

I might be heading to the flea market this weekend. Last time I was at this market a fella had a box full of 7/16" T-handled augers. If he's got any left I'll grab you one.

Army surplus. They look like the one on the right except unfinished/rusty. But in like new condition.

Augers.jpg
Click to expand...

I have never seen a auger that small.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top