Lee Reeves collection

[rcwells]

Hey guys, just had to share this as I have added some more of Lee's pieces to my collection of his work. I found his stuff last year and fell in love and can't stop searching for his more of his handiwork! (and if ANYONE has a lead on ANYTHING he's made, please let me know: rcwells200269@hotmail.com)

Anyways, my GF gave me another Reeves double bit for my birthday and it was awesome!! It was a new one in maple that was just slightly lighter than the first one I bought. Just beautiful.

Then I found a peculiar Reeves Nessmuk style axe for sale, but wasn't so sure about it because the design was different having these "ears" that dropped down where the handle meets the head and it was much smaller, lighter and the handle thinner than the other two I had. After Lee saw pics of it he told me that it was one of only two or three made, back in 1997, sort of a prototype and he changed the design to what the two larger double bits look like now. So it's a very very rare piece and very special to me!

Then I found the full size double bit axe that Bill was selling here and being it's the first one I've ever seen and surely rare, I bought it immediately and it arrived today and is wonderful! Very large and great weight, very manageable and great balance!

Hope you enjoy,
RC

 

[Dusty One]

Very Nice Collection !

 

[rcwells]

Very Nice Collection !

Thanks man.

 

[rcwells]

Am I the only guy on the forum with a Reeves piece??

If you've got one, please share it!

 

[rockman0]

Beautiful axes, I don't have any but I am curious if the cheeks are flat or do they have a high center line?
Thanks for posting your collection.

 

[Beachlogger]

I love the tiger stripe handles, what kind of wood is that?
The axes are super!

 

[rcwells]

I love the tiger stripe handles, what kind of wood is that?
The axes are super!

They are Maple. I've heard some say they aren't strong but Lee has assured me they can handle work. I will be putting them to some use soon though.

As for the cheeks and and centerline quesion, I'm not sure how to answer that. Clarify and educate me and I will try to answer. Perhaps a pic at a different angle would help answer that?

 

[rcwells]

After brief reading, Reeves has a flat side to it.

 

[Park Swan]

Beautiful pieces. I'm sure the tiger maple will be more than sufficient on those saddle axes. There is a reason Mr. Reeves used a different wood on the full-size double bit.

 

[rcwells]

I just added another of Lee's belt axes to the collection today! It's an example of his earlier work from 2000 with smaller and thinner handle and even the head is slightly different than the later pieces. I just Love the profile of the handle on it compared to the later ones although I have to admit it might be a little light and not made for heavier work; but it's a belt axe and I'm not taking down 100 yr old pines with it right? I was told it is made of "ironwood", but not sure about that. The head profile is also slightly different and I prefer it to the later ones as well, as the blade is a bit longer toe to heel than the later version. I think it is perfect size and weight for light packing/trekking and would be awesome for light camp duties and a perfect compliment to the early double bit!! The forging was a bit rough, but it's so cool to see how much better his finished works became over the years. The one on the right in the pics is the latest addition to the growing family! Unfortunately no card/maker info included. The leather sheath is a different style and much nicer than the later ones as well. It seems his axes got way better while the sheaths just got worse.

 

[rcwells]

and... a couple more! Another of Reeves' early pack axes in Ash I believe, and a black walnut Reeves pack axe. Also the Danger Ranger Bear from Two Hawks is very cool as well. It has a hickory handle I think.

 

[Bridger]

That double bit is amazing! Does he still make them? (Not like I could afford it.)

 

[rcwells]

That double bit is amazing! Does he still make them? (Not like I could afford it.)

He has retired, however he told me he might still make a few pieces come Fall season, but no more custom orders. Not sure where he would sell them IF he made any more.