North Wayne Tool Co. "Earle Special" brush axe

E

ECGP3

Joined
Apr 29, 2013
Messages
4
Hello everyone,

I am brand new here and have a small collection of axes. I throw axes as I imagine many of you do. My name is Earle so, obviously, this axe caught my attention even though most do anyway. I saw the sales manual another member posted and found a single image of one in much worse shape. I also saw there was an out of print book on North Wayne Tool in Oakland, ME. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to discover anything else. Does anyone else have one of these in their collection? Or any information or anecdotes on the company or the tools? Thank you for your time in advance and I look forward to checking out other collections on the forum. I was trying to post an image or two, but I am not having much success potentially this is my first post.
 
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image_zps14f17974.jpg
 
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Thank you. When I finish my current renovation ill have a wall to display my different axes. Should be filling up slowly.
 
from the registry of Maine toolmakers

North Wayne Tool Co.
Hallowell 1879-1969
Tools Made:
Axes, Farm Tools, Scythes, Lumbering
tools, Corn Hooks, and Hay Knives
Remarks:
Charles W. Tilden, Joseph E. Bodwell,
and Williston Jennings operated this company in
Hallowell, West Waterville, and Wayne, and then
moved it to Oakland around 1900. They marked their
tools:
NO. WAYNE TOOL CO
| OAKLAND.ME.U.S.A.
and
NORTH WAYNE TOOL CO. | OAKLAND, MAINE
178
and used the brand name
LITTLE GIANT
(probably after 1900) (Kallop 2003). Dana
Phillippi has this ax (photo) marked
NWTCO
and
3
in addition to the paper label
.
The
Davistown Museum has a brush cutter in
the IR collection ID# 100108T2 marked
.W.T.CO
on the metal with a torn paper label
Champion Bus___ | NORTH WAYNE T__ |
HALLOWELL, M_
.

http://www.davistownmuseum.org/PDFs/Vol_10_Registry.pdf#page=177

http://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioNorthWayne.html
 
Good lord, man--that's gorgeous! I am a HUGE fan of NWT Co. If you ever feel like selling that please let me know!!! :eek:

I've got a mint condition copy of their catalog #117 (from around 1941, give or take a couple of years) and did a complete scan for folks to peruse HERE. I also have this Earle Special bush scythe blade in mint shape. The Earle Special branding was their second-best line, right behind their famed Little Giant line.

IMG_3660_zps6cf6d251.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Good lord, man--that's gorgeous! I am a HUGE fan of NWT Co. If you ever feel like selling that please let me know!!! :eek:

I've got a mint condition copy of their catalog #117 (from around 1941, give or take a couple of years) and did a complete scan for folks to peruse HERE. I also have this Earle Special bush scythe blade in mint shape. The Earle Special branding was their second-best line, right behind their famed Little Giant line.

IMG_3660_zps6cf6d251.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response and thank you for posting the catalog. I was browsing it before that was awesome of you to scan it. Your post is what actually led me to join the forum. So thank you again!
 
Great post. Great brush axe.

Not to hijack the thread, but I passed the other day on a Kelly Perfect brush axe with a good, deep stamp and nice handle for $20. Not my thing, but if anyone wants it, I'd be glad to pick it up and send it out for the $20 plus actual shipping costs.
 
John Frankl said:
Great post. Great brush axe.

Not to hijack the thread, but I passed the other day on a Kelly Perfect brush axe with a good, deep stamp and nice handle for $20. Not my thing, but if anyone wants it, I'd be glad to pick it up and send it out for the $20 plus actual shipping costs.
Click to expand...

I would take you up on that. How would be the best way to get you the money? I sent you an email.

And to the OP the axe looks great.
 
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Hi ECGP3,

Nice, nice find! I live in Maine and recently found two N.W.T. Co. items. The first a good condition N.W.T. Co. Axe head (2.5 lbs. a bit over 6" OAL with a 3 3/4" cutting edge). The second item I found just last week at a Flea Market. A North Wayne Tool Co. "Little Giant" (hand held) Scythe in beautiful condition. The Company name and "Little Giant" is printed on the Black wooden handle and can clearly be seen. The Blade is in nice shape. I'm not sure how old this Scythe might be ? It sure is in good condition. Anyway, welcome to BF and congrats of finding such a nice Brush Axe.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Post up some photos and I'm sure I can take a guess at it. I suspect that it's not a scythe if it has an attached handle--more likely it's either a grass hook or a corn knife. :)
 
Hi Ben,

Yes indeed, you are correct. I should of said "Grass Hook". http://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioNorthWayne.html
I am unable to post my own pictures at this time until I replace my VERY old Computer (which has all kinds of problems). Someone who saw my "Grass Hook" suggested it might be circa 1930's-40's. I dunno know but, it sure is in super nice condition. While I like the "North Wayne Tool Grass Hook", truthfully, I could use more Knives (more useful to me). The "Grass Hook" is something I'd likely never use as cool as it is.

Regards,
Tom
 
Yup--probably from around that time would be my guess without seeing photos. I'm generally in the market for NWT Co. stuff in collectable condition, though, so if you ever want to get rid of it let me know! :D
 
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