Kelly Columbian Axe! The pictures are finally in! Page 2

Does anyone have any idea why my columbian is the size it is? I have seen other threads about people saying they have a head between a felling axe size and a boys axe size. I haven’t researched it in depth though. Was it an option given or did it just happen to come out that way?

I know I am asking a lot of questions but people on here seem to be very knowledgeable and I try to learn all I can. Thanks to all that reply!!
 
Steve Tall said:
Congrats on finding one, they seem quite rare. The only photos of one that were easily found are from an old auction listing:

old-double-bit-axe-ax-kelly-columbian_1_de00791fc9be75308b2cef57e599a9c4.jpg

old-double-bit-axe-ax-kelly-columbian_1_de00791fc9be75308b2cef57e599a9c4.jpg



This catalog page is supposedly from 1899, and shows the relatively high price for the Columbian (per dozen):
Kelly Columbian $12
Kelly Perfect $9
Kelly Standard $8

1899-ad-kelly-axes-axe-columbian_1_234ef7346b699c8ff08fd747899c35a5.jpg
Click to expand...

Interesting find Steve. Choosing to upgrade from an already top-of-the-line "Perfect" up to a "Columbian" involves paying 1/3 more, and the difference with a "Standard" is a whopping 50%. No wonder they're not common! It'd be interesting to know what it is you got for upping the ante. Hardened poll, better grade of steel, competition profile....?
 
300six,
From all of the info I have found, which isn’t much, the columbian came with a fully polished head, the bevels on the cheeks, and what Kelly called a “hatchet style grind” on the bit. Those are the special features. I believe the registered kelly was the only axe more expensive. Which had the same features minus the bevels and plus the “registration number” which made the axe warranted. Please correct me if I am wrong on any of my findings. I do not claim to be an expert at all.
 
Looking at the 1899 catalogue descriptions it seems Columbians were offered in sizes from 3 1/2 lb all the way up to 7 lb, in 1/4-1/2 lb increments. To be able to offer that amount of choice amounts to 'custom-made' by my way of thinking. They certainly weren't the product of a closed die forging operation!
 
Comparing the 1899 catalog picture of the "Columbian Mich." and the "Perfect Mich.", the Columbian has notably shorter phantom bevels.

1899-ad-kelly-axes-axe-columbian_1_234ef7346b699c8ff08fd747899c35a5.jpg


Makes me think that the found axe might have worn down a lot at the bit:

87207_D63-4_DF3-49_C7-_A4_C5-5_D384157737_B.jpg
 
That is very possible. When I picked up the axe it was so covered with rust I could barely see the bevels. But with the little cleaning I did to it there isn’t really any pitting. There are a lot of marks more on one side then the other. I will say I took a file to the edge and then just went straight to a strop but the steel was very very hard still. I’m not sure how much of the tempered still is left but there is some on the edge I know. A vinegar bath could reveal this but I’m not sure if I want to do that or not. I like the look. What do you guys think?
 


Here is a look at the profile. Looking close at the old catolog I think some of the bit has ware to it but I don’t think it is substantial. Looking at the bottom of the bit to where the bevel starts/ends, then looking at the picture (which is basically a cartoon drawing so may not be accurate) to me it doesn’t seem like a lot is missing. I would say the bevels are close to the same size as the pictured catalog minus a small amount. I still don’t know if I should sink it in vinegar or not though.... is there any other solvent that may produce a similar reaction to the hardened steel but leave the patina? Thank you again for all the input!!
 
That profile looks better than I thought it might. Yes, catalog drawings have limitations, are are fixed in time while the product might be changing over the years.

I think that most people here would advise against using vinegar on this head. It could strip away the remaining patina, and could make the stamping even less visible.
 
Nice find!! Does crimson refer to color? Or shape? Or some other meaning completely.... I have seen the term “phantom bevels” before. Is crimson just another name for that? I have no idea lol
 
I would like to stay away from vinegar also. Brass brush or autobody wheel is what I usually use. Auto body wheel will leave more pitna behind than the brass brush.
 
Does that one have a Columbian stamp? And I need to weigh it but I feel like mine is smaller than that. I will have to check though. It looks to me like the axe you show with bevels is larger in the eye and cheeks. Pictures can be deceiving though. Mine is closer to a boys axe size than a felling axe size, right in the middle. Even the eye size on mine is in between.
 
Your
Brian Rust said:
Does that one have a Columbian stamp? And I need to weigh it but I feel like mine is smaller than that. I will have to check though. It looks to me like the axe you show with bevels is larger in the eye and cheeks. Pictures can be deceiving though. Mine is closer to a boys axe size than a felling axe size, right in the middle. Even the eye size on mine is in between.
Click to expand...
This axe smelled like true temper but I did not see any maker's marks on the cheek so I just cleaned some surface rust and left it alone till today. Your pics ( I cannot see Kelly Columbian stamp) made me wonder it this the same case. My axe has red paint leftovers. It has full size eye but it is not bigger than my plumb boy's axe head. I've just sprayed mine with liquid wrench and will try to find any maker's mark. I assume the Columbian mark is located by the poll.
 
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Yes I am not home to take a picture of the stamp. My wife sent me the ones I posted but did not take one of the stamp. But yes it would be on the left side right at the pole. Hopefully my wife will send me the stamp pic as soon as she gets back to the house and I will post it. Yours could very well be one it has the pattern and bevels. Mine looks a lot thinner than yours. Which it is a bigger axe so who knows. I will keep u updated on the pics though.
 






So my wife finally sent me the pictures!! I know they aren’t the best pics but you can see the stamp! Let me know what y’all think!!
 


I almost forgot to add this. It is the top of the eye of that Flint Edge cruiser. Any chance someone could have a date range on this? I’m sure it’s a wide range. But it is obviously the original handle I would think...
 
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