MUST READ - 1938 True Temper/Kelly catalog

Thx! Great catalog! Would be nice to have a virgin example of everything in there. But ... Lost to time.
Can't find a variety of tools like that anymore unfortunately.
 
I saw it on said other website and isolated the scythe-related bits. I'd seen low-rez images from that catalog before, but not a clean scan until now. The same uploader has a bunch of other great stuff, too.
 
They talk about the high centerline and convex cheeks. They talk about correct grinding and shaping of the bit and show their banana grind with rolled edge - the way it should be. They tell you to leave a little extra metal at the heel and toe. They caution you to warm your axe in frosty weather. All straight from the maker - the things we've been preaching here for several years that some of us only learned by experience.
 
That silver eagle raised bit Kentucky would sure be an interesting one to see an example of.
 
neat, going through this it reminded me of something, i saw the kelly standard and the flint edge were the same price in a different catalog, i think the reason the kelly standard "failed" at being the standard axe they make is because, would you buy the kelly standard or would you buy that cool lookin flint edge everyone has with the arrow head on the side
 
Square_peg said:
This recently came up on another website. It confirms several things we've talked about here on the forum. You're gonna love this! It's in PDF form. Download will start when you click the link. 51MB file.

https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/American Fork & Hoe True Temper Tools 1938 Catalog - Axes only.pdf?token=AWwaEJnEi5S7chnnN-Q7PTomgW9uMG7BZ_EJuD7s-8aVrFjmMUUkuGrt5QThrKaHQau3bHfQUq5yzgLfq0i9m2P-fxx-ArKnWrdUzu0iNzXpL_Ahq-pZlRbEwmflenAycUHxdW8djb39jCAlLTJTFtrjwADswHm-fo_TL8zRq4aB_p0HOSNCAwfrRBz50ji9Sgk
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Awesome!

Great resource- thank you.
 
The many varieties of gorgeous forks that are no longer in production just about brings a tear to my eye. American Fork & Hoe made some of the best, and my favorite hay fork is one of their three-tine Flex Beam models.
 
phantomknives said:
i saw the kelly standard and the flint edge were the same price in a different catalog, i think the reason the kelly standard "failed" at being the standard axe they make is because, would you buy the kelly standard or would you buy that cool lookin flint edge everyone has with the arrow head on the side
Click to expand...

I am looking for some information on the Kelly Standard axe:

TRUE TEMPER
KELLY STANDARD
KELLY WORKS

On other side 'MADE IN USA'. No weight stamp.

And I am especially interested in personal opinions/experiences with this axe from people that have used them. How do they compare with other Kelly axes?

What era were these produced? I will download the catalog and have a look tomorrow when I have the chance.

Yesteryeartools say about the Standard:

"There were a number of labels used for the STANDARD brand name, many included wording printed in Spanish while others were printed in English. The outside shapes also varied considerably, as did the color combinations. It is believed that axes and hatchets bearing the STANDARD brand were heavily exported to Central and South America. The use of the New York address along with the company name Kelly Axe & Tool Co. supports that belief."
 
KiwiBloke said:
I am looking for some information on the Kelly Standard axe:

TRUE TEMPER
KELLY STANDARD
KELLY WORKS

On other side 'MADE IN USA'. No weight stamp.

And I am especially interested in personal opinions/experiences with this axe from people that have used them. How do they compare with other Kelly axes?

What era were these produced? I will download the catalog and have a look tomorrow when I have the chance.

Yesteryeartools say about the Standard:

"There were a number of labels used for the STANDARD brand name, many included wording printed in Spanish while others were printed in English. The outside shapes also varied considerably, as did the color combinations. It is believed that axes and hatchets bearing the STANDARD brand were heavily exported to Central and South America. The use of the New York address along with the company name Kelly Axe & Tool Co. supports that belief."
Click to expand...
Cool, I had just heard about them when I made that post so I was and still am pretty ignorant on the subject
 
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