Requesting info on cruiser type axe I purchased

[RCF62]

I recently purchased this double bit axe at an antique store near Lewistown PA. The axe is not stamped with any markings I was able to see. The owner of the store said it was manufactured at Mann Edge Tool Company.
The handle is 28 inches long and total weight (axe and handle is 4lbs 5 ounces. The axe is painted a dark brown color which reminded me of the Norlund type axes. Any information you may have is appreciated.

 

[garry3]

Looks a little heavy for a cruiser but maybe the haft is just over thick? A standard cruiser axe eye is 2 1/4" x 5/8", I have seen axes up to 3lbs with that eye size though.
Regardless, it's a really nice vintage axe in increasingly hard to find fresh condition.

I can't say for sure who made the axe but the geometry does fall in line with what I have seen with vintage Mann's and I suspect strongly that it predates Norlund. Anyone have or have seen a Norlund with that geometry?

It seems that modern manufacturers can't make axes that are thin where they should be thin and thick where they should be thick, but they can come up with all kinds of fantasy looking creations.

A Norlund for comparison.....

 

[RCF62]

Looks a little heavy for a cruiser but maybe the haft is just over thick? A standard cruiser axe eye is 2 1/4" x 5/8", I have seen axes up to 3lbs with that eye size though.
Regardless, it's a really nice vintage axe in increasingly hard to find fresh condition.

I can't say for sure who made the axe but the geometry does fall in line with what I have seen with vintage Mann's and I suspect strongly that it predates Norlund. Anyone have or have seen a Norlund with that geometry?

It seems that modern manufacturers can't make axes that are thin where they should be thin and thick where they should be thick, but they can come up with all kinds of fantasy looking creations.

A Norlund for comparison.....

Thanks for taking the time to research and respond. I actually worked at Mann Edge Tool Company in Lewistown PA from 1978-1979. That was my first job after graduating from High School, and it was a hot and dirty place to work ( and it didn't pay well). I would like your opinion on what would be a fair price to list on bladeforums and should I describe it as a double bit and drop the cruiser from the description?

Thanks
RCF62

 

[Square_peg]

The axe is painted a bark brown color which reminded me of the Norlund type axes.

I agree that it sure looks like the color that Mann used on Norlund axes. It looks a bit too wide at 9" to be a cruiser. But part of being a cruiser is the eye and handle size. It's cruiser length. What size is the eye? If it has a cruiser eye I'd call it a cruiser.

It seems that modern manufacturers can't make axes that are thin where they should be thin and thick where they should be thick, but they can come up with all kinds of fantasy looking creations.

^^^This!

It's all about looks now because no one knows what makes an axe functional anymore (except for a few people in the Forest Service and here on this forum). For the general public looks is all that sells.

Council still makes some great axes but I bet the general public buys mostly their eye candy axes. I can't blame them for making stuff that sells. Rather I applaud them for finding a way to survive. And I'm grateful that they still make functional axes.