Looking for something like this axe…

AaronGP

AaronGP

Joined
Jul 19, 2014
Messages
144
I’m looking for something similar to the H&B Forge Belt Axe (http://www.hbforge.com/axes/h-b-belt-axe/), at least in terms of the head, but vintage. I really enjoy the process of restoring and rehanging old axe heads, so I’d rather find something old and in need of some love rather than buying new. What I’m really looking for is a make and model that I ought to be on the lookout for. Thanks!
 
I’ve heard good things about H&B Forge but don’t have any first hand experience.

It looks similar to the Council Tool Woodcraft Camp Carver - new production though. I believe it has a hardened poll, seems to have similar specs.
 
times and axe needs/uses have changed.

100 years ago the diversity of full sized axe styles was many many times greater than what we have for new offerings now.

However, I think the opposite is true for small axes. We have now much greater diversity of small axes/hatchets than there were 100 years ago.

most of the smaller sized vintage axes/hatchets were pretty similar, something like a standard dayton type head. there were a few variations, like the national pattern was available in small sizes. and then the hudson bay style became popular maybe 50 years ago? that might be the closest thing to what you are wanting in vintage?
 
If you do not care about luggs, the best choice would be vintage regular Hudson Bay or National pattern.
Other choice would be Marbles with luggs (most likely very expensive choice)
marbles-hatchet-axe-head-case_1_da8d74a0eee2099a36c8cd04d388b846.jpg



The only vintage lugged Hudson Bay Hatchet that come to my mind would be Sayre hatchet. However the head is only 14 oz., bit
2 1/4 inch and 12 inch handle.
vintage-sayre-son-tomahawk-style_1_99ed85d86814dfd603a684a22c62a77c.jpg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-sayre-son-tomahawk-style-1979880573
BookReaderImages.php

https://archive.org/details/WmFrankfurthCoHardwareCatalogNo5/page/n77
In case 14 oz is fine with you, search for cheap Box, Barrel, or Produce Hatchet head. https://archive.org/details/WmFrankfurthCoHardwareCatalogNo5/page/n84
Final option would be something like this.
 
Last edited:
Agent_H said:
Or just a little Hudson Bay?
CE353120-ACDA-494-C-8-CD7-2857-C2-CFF6-F5.jpg


2-C3-C8-FE6-C9-A0-489-C-A6-B1-8-C76-FE350-CA2.jpg

Remove some toe...
B550-FB3-C-5172-4-FC0-BEAF-C62-ABB6-B0-C63.jpg
Click to expand...

I like the Collins Hudson Bay option, great option!

crbnSteeladdict said:
If you do not care about luggs, the best choice would be vintage regular Hudson Bay or National pattern.
Other choice would be Marbles with luggs (most likely very expensive choice)
marbles-hatchet-axe-head-case_1_da8d74a0eee2099a36c8cd04d388b846.jpg

BookReaderImages.php
Click to expand...

At first read of this thread I thought of the Plumb National pattern.
Similar to this one here...not a biased opinion at all :)

IMG-20171112-094648231.jpg


20180815-150555.jpg


20180815-151849.jpg


:thumbsup:;)
 
That's cool! I would love to see the rest of that.

The handle on mine has had a few work overs since its hang back 2 years now.
That swell on the shorter handle has given me a better hold a few times when I needed it.
 
That Sayre is awesome. Love to have one.

I have the H&B felling axe. I've alluded to criticism in the past, and it's pretty simple. I don't like how pointed the heel is, and they're very thin. The heel on the felling axe, at least, is a safety liability.
 
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Thanks to everyone for the information! I’ve seen some little Plumb BSA hatchets on eBay that look a lot like that Plumb National, so I’ll be keeping an eye on them. I’ve also seen some True Temper Tomahawk axes that look promising. Other than that I’ll think about the Hudson Bay hatchets, though I don’t like how little metal to wood contact they have.
 
Fmont said:
I have the H&B felling axe. I've alluded to criticism in the past, and it's pretty simple. I don't like how pointed the heel is, and they're very thin. The heel on the felling axe, at least, is a safety liability.
Click to expand...

I’ve long been impressed with the quality and the beauty of their work, but they are definitely a tomahawk company who’ve started making some tomahawks that look like axes, in my opinion. I’ll be interested in seeing whether a few more years and feedback from customers leads them to developing some genuine axes or not.
 
I found this interesting looking axe head today on eBay. With that upswept toe it almost has a Viking kinda look to it. My question is: looking at it, do you think it is genuinely a vintage head? As clean as it is, and with so little visible wear, it looks almost new. The only mark is “600” stamped into it. What do you guys think? Is it truly a vintage piece? What might the brand be?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/264421453558
 
AaronGP said:
I found this interesting looking axe head today on eBay. With that upswept toe it almost has a Viking kinda look to it. My question is: looking at it, do you think it is genuinely a vintage head? As clean as it is, and with so little visible wear, it looks almost new. The only mark is “600” stamped into it. What do you guys think? Is it truly a vintage piece? What might the brand be?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/264421453558
Click to expand...

That looks like a more modern made Rhineland style pattern with a little more toe. To my knowledge, those are still made from Germany to China. 600grams - about 1.3lbs. Not sure how you would go about finding a maker.

Probably would serve on small stuff but I wouldn’t necessarily think of it as vintage.

Please don’t let me dissuade you.
 
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