New to axes. Good finds?

D

Dynikus

Joined
May 1, 2017
Messages
5
I just moved from California to a rural part of Washington, so I actually have an excuse to buy axes now. I'm not too acquainted with brands and such yet for vintage axes though, so I was wondering how the axes I've picked up so far are.
I've got:
Plumb 32 double bit for $20
True Temper Flint Edge Kelly Works Pulaski
True Temper Flint Edge Kelly Works double bit ($15 for both)
Collins axe eye maul (not sure year or anything, I've heard collins used to be good but went downhill?)
Crafstman boys axe
Ames True Temper single bit ($50 for all 3)

From a little googling, I gather plumbs and the two kelly works ones are nice quality (they're in good shape too, some minor pitting and still a lot of steel left). Not sure about the other 3 though. I'll post pictures if anyone's interested. The plumb needed a new handle, but the others seem usable for now.
 
The 3 with raised 2 on the Plumb double indicates that the head is 3 and two quarters (ie 3 1/2) lb. There's lots of different axe patterns out there so 'eye candy' picture attachments are definitely called for.
 
I'm debating whether or not I should try to refinish the handles on most of these, or just re handle them.
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This was the condition of the kelly double before
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and after a vinegar bath
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The pulaski before
ISXqp9Q.jpg

and after some steel wool
OK6TzvY.jpg

I really like the patina and shape (Michigan is what it's called I believe?) of the plumb
UAv1EUm.jpg

haven't done too much with the last 3 yet. I'm thinking about giving the made in India ames to my brother in law and picking up a swedish axe I saw for cheap.
Here's the label on the collins, not sure if it's any indication of when it might have been made, as to whether it was still made in the US or Mexico.
uD2YrTK.jpg
 
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I would certainly keep the pulaski handle and the boys axe handle. The boys axe haft is really nice. Save any that are sound and feel good in hand. There are ways to safely remove and re-use an axe handle. Many vintage hafts are still better than modern replacements which tend to be fat and less flexible. A few coats of BLO will do wonders for an old haft.
 
Yes, came here to say this. Looks like a replacement that wasn't fit well, ditch it for a new one. The head looks great.
 
Been pretty busy house hunting, but I managed to pick up a few more I saw for $5 each, and I gave the kelly a new handle, mounted correctly this time. I think I'm starting to get an addiction to this.
One was made in germany but has no brand name on it, one was a collins legitimus, one had no markings and was missing too much steel to use as is, but had a nice handle, and the last was an alltrade that was very very abused that I got for the fun of trying to restore it.
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the collins is pretty rusted, but shouldn't be that hard to clean up.
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german axe
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and the poor all trade. poll is a bit mushroomed, the eye is warped
WOnkE0X.jpg

and it was mounted upside down on a boys axe handle with 2 wedges, 4 different sized nails, and a big fence staple. best part is it was still loose even after all that. I think this one might deserve its own thread if I manage to restore it to usable form.
 
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