Looking for information - Mastercraft Axe head

[shanesaw]

Hello Hello!

This axe had been up at our cottage for as long as I can remember. The handle was busted, so I decided to take it home to see what I can do with it. It was fairly rusted, so I cleaned it up a bit and experimented with a forced patina. Which I am pretty happy with. I have a new handle, and I'll be hanging it soon.

It's clearly marked as a 5lb Mastercraft, but I'm just wondering if anyone knows of the quality, where they were made, and when they made them for Canadian Tire.

Also, would this be considered a chopping axe?

Thanks for reading

 

[FLINT77]

I don't know anything about mastercraft axes specifically, but can tell you that type of axe head is called a rafting pattern. The poll is usually hardened so that it can be used to pound on things and not mushroom out like a typical axe. I think they were originally used for driving some kind of log dogs into logging rafts, but any more this type of axe is probably most commonly used as a fallers type chainsaw companion axe for pounding wedges into trees you are cutting down. They are kind of like an all purpose utility axe, as they can chop, split, and hammer.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

Hello Hello!

This axe had been up at our cottage for as long as I can remember. The handle was busted, so I decided to take it home to see what I can do with it. It was fairly rusted, so I cleaned it up a bit and experimented with a forced patina. Which I am pretty happy with. I have a new handle, and I'll be hanging it soon.

It's clearly marked as a 5lb Mastercraft, but I'm just wondering if anyone knows of the quality, where they were made, and when they made them for Canadian Tire.

Also, would this be considered a chopping axe?

Thanks for reading

Judging by the shape of the eye, flat cheeks, primary suspect would be late Mann Edge Tool Co product made in Lewistown, Pa

 

[Hickory n steel]

I do not really know the Canadian tire story and if they always owned the Mastercraft line, but judging by the stamp and overall look I would guess this axe is from the 70's or later.
It looks a lot like Craftsman and Master mechanic marked axes from that period.

 

[deepobs]

I have this axe, just stumbled across this thread searching for another one of these axes online for a friend. Hands down my favorite splitting axe, terrible chopping ability though. It's basically a wedge. I love it. It's the only axe by my wood pile nowadays. Splits very well.