Manufacturer's Sticker Question

[Snow Walker]

Recently, I was able to score a mint condition single bit Plumb Dreadnought axe at a flea market for $10. The majority of the original sticker is on the handle. Most of the original two stickers are also on the blade - one near the flat end of the head, and one over the word "Plumb". From the looks, it seems the axe was used minimally and the stickers wear has come from the minimal use.

I buy axes to use, not to look at. I wondered, however, if this was special enough to set aside from use. Is there any coating I could put over the stickers to prevent further wear - some kind of clear coat perhaps?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Hickory n steel]

Recently, I was able to score a mint condition single bit Plumb Dreadnought axe at a flea market for $10. The majority of the original sticker is on the handle. Most of the original two stickers are also on the blade - one near the flat end of the head, and one over the word "Plumb". From the looks, it seems the axe was used minimally and the stickers wear has come from the minimal use.

I buy axes to use, not to look at. I wondered, however, if this was special enough to set aside from use. Is there any coating I could put over the stickers to prevent further wear - some kind of clear coat perhaps?

Thanks for the help!

We'll need some pictures to see just how nice it is.
I don't think there's any way to protect the stickers if the axe is used, but maybe you could use a heat gun to gently remove the stickers and preserve them in some way .
If it was me I'm not sure I could keep myself from using the axe as I appreciate vintage tools for their higher quality and don't display them ( I will take great care of them though )
Does the poll of the axe have any dings or maring to it all, because whoever bought it could've hammered with it which wouldn't put any wear on the rest of the head or the stickers.

 

[Square_peg]

It does have some value and might be best left as is. Pictures would be nice.

OTOH a Plumb Dreadnaught is a first rate useable axe. If you have a use for a top shelf axe in a way that it won't get abused then you could consider using it.

PM sent.

 

[300Six]

There is a certain joy in being the first one to really put a vintage axe to use, and there definitely are also collectors out there that seek out unblemished and still-stickered versions. But as to whether the collector value exceeds that of purchasing a new Velvicut or quality equivalent is probably not there. If you can steam, solvent treat or heat gun the decals off for safe-keeping then I'd say go forth and put the lovely old tool through it's paces. Fondly staring at something hanging on the wall provides nowhere near the same satisfaction as actually fulfilling it's intended purpose.