Plumb and other Axe find questions

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keyser223

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Apr 1, 2011
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I will apologize in advance because I'm fairly new to all this and it will probably be evident.

I was at a antique shop recently and came across several Plumb Axe's, two were nearly identical with approx 25" handles. I thought about picking one up, the edges are a little rough. They were around $16 each, is that a fairly reasonable price? What is it about the Plumb's that make them a good choice?

There was another head there that was marked with a single letter "P" up near the butt? end of the head for around the same price, any idea what that may be?

I did come across a double bit there that was marked with a name and Sweden on it, unfortunately, I didn't get the name written down, but I believe it was Sater Banko, it was in great shape and around $25 or so. I know it doesn't help without pics, I will try to get some this weekend.
 
Plumb's are pretty decent axes, they've been around for a long time so sometimes you can find a good old one (I got one hand forged one years ago that I'm still in love with) and even the newer ones seem pretty solid. They're up there in quality with the True Tempers, Marshall wells and other older American axe makers in terms of using quality steel and such. Whether $16 is a good deal or just a fair price depends on the individual axe and what pattern it is, how much work you'll have to invest to clean it up. I don't know much about sater banko but it seems like most of the swedish axes are pretty decent as well, even though they keep trying to hold the heads on with that red epoxy crap that is so hard to knock loose when the handle breaks. :-) Happy hunting.
 
Thanks for the info, they did have a True Temper marked Kelly there for approx $20 that was in decent shape.
 
Hi Keyser
I picked up a Banko single bit 3 1/2 pound axe a while ago, it's the best softwood felling axe that I've ever used. I was told that they made all the axes for the Swedish military until they closed in the 60s. The military issue were painted blue and marked only with Made in Sweden and a weight mark. If the double bit is in great shape I think it's a deal.

Regards

Robin
 
If these are nice looking axes then buy the ones you want to have. The prices are higher then I typically pay in my area, but if you bought just those heads online the price plus the postage would be similar to this.

Plumb made great axes but are not a highly sought after brand. Always seem to have a large hardened area and etc. Swedish axes are always highly regarded.

ETA: If you go there over the weekend do buy 1 or 2, and get photos of the rest.
 
Plumb at one time was "it" for axes, it was widely known and sought after. Advertising helped to get it that way, and was one of the most popular and manufactured axe names out there, along with other tools, esp hammers. There are many out there today, with some of the "Champion" line being the most sought after. If you ever find a Yerkes and Plumb, that is the is brand that eventually led to Plumb. Due to the overall number of Plumb axes out there, I would see if I could get that $16 axe for $10.

Super Banko I don't know a lot about, but if it is the sweden variety, lot of guys like those because historically lot of great axes have come from that area.
 
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