Sager Cruiser

L

Laars

Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Messages
35
Hello, I picked this axe head up last weekend at a flea market for $1! It's pretty rusty but after scraping the crust on one side and then putting it to a wire wheel, it looks pretty good to me. That's all I'll end up doing on this one. I believe this was manufactured in Canada? Am I correct in this assumption and what date range could it have been made? 1912-1950's?
It is 8-3/8" and 2lbs-9-1/2oz with the wood, wedge, and nails in the eye.


 
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Those are not all that common and it looks to be in real good condition. A wire wheel on an angle grinder might reveal the stamp with the date.
 
Sorry I messed up the first picture. It only says Sager thus my assumption it is Canadian. No date stamp that I can see.
 
That's great! I've wanted a proper cruiser since I saw Dick Proeneke's Alone in the Wilderness. Looks so versatile.
 
joshiecole said:
That's great! I've wanted a proper cruiser....... Looks so versatile.
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Meh. Not so much, IMO. Cuts like a boys axe. If you're doing enough work that you want/need a spare bit then you should probably be using a full size axe.
For most use I prefer to have a poll.
 
Meh. Not so much, IMO. Cuts like a boys axe. If you're doing enough work that you want/need a spare bit then you should probably be using a full size axe.
For most use I prefer to have a poll.
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That's the same rationale why I actually own a boy's axe as compared to a cruiser. :D BUT, I sure would like one.
 
Thanks guys!
The double bit is not the axe I grab when I head out to the woods but that doesn't stop me from buying them. I'm pretty sure I read a post that had stated W.A.& T. Co operated in Canada and those axes were just stamped Sager. Anyway, I will add it to my pile and enjoy it regardless.
 
Laars said:
Thanks guys!
The double bit is not the axe I grab when I head out to the woods but that doesn't stop me from buying them. I'm pretty sure I read a post that had stated W.A.& T. Co operated in Canada and those axes were just stamped Sager. Anyway, I will add it to my pile and enjoy it regardless.
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This depends on my memory. :D {Looks off into the distance...} As I recall from my reading, Warren did business in Canada as "Canadian Warren-Pink." As such they made and marketed Sager tools. In the US when Warren folded up, Collins produced Sager brand axes for a few years. I recently saw mention that in Canada, Welland Vale was producing Sager axes for a few years.

If I've remembered that wrong, somebody straighten me out. If so, I'll delete this post so mythical BS doesn't clutter up the internet.
 
According to the stamp on your cruiser, it was made after 1950. Sager who was owned by Warren Axe Co used the stamp "SAGER Chemical Axe 19XX" on all their axes from 1915through 1950.

In 1950 Sager was bought by Collins. All Sager axes produced when owned by Collins only used "Sager" as the stamping. The "Chemical Axe w/ a date was completely dropped from use after 1950. Collins didn't have rights to the Chemical patent use so it wasn't used.

It is still a sweet cruiser.

Tom
 
Double Ott said:
According to the stamp on your cruiser, it was made after 1950. Sager who was owned by Warren Axe Co used the stamp "SAGER Chemical Axe 19XX" on all their axes from 1915through 1950.

In 1950 Sager was bought by Collins. All Sager axes produced when owned by Collins only used "Sager" as the stamping. The "Chemical Axe w/ a date was completely dropped from use after 1950. Collins didn't have rights to the Chemical patent use so it wasn't used.

It is still a sweet cruiser.

Tom
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That may not be entirely correct, or worded wrong, Tom. I have a Sager double with WATCO Warren Pa. directly under Sager. My double bit does not say "chemical axe", nor is it dated. So I know all Sager axes were not chemical axes.
 
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Laars said:
. . . I'm pretty sure I read a post that had stated W.A.& T. Co operated in Canada and those axes were just stamped Sager. . .
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You did

Operator1975 said:
. . .

These axes only said "SAGER" on one side - no other markings - that is one way to tell them apart from other offerings from the USA. This was a way to get into the Canadian business side of things . . .
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Link
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/warren-axe-and-tool-company-march-manufacturer-thread.932040/

rockman0 said:
I'm certainly no expert but most axes with a sager stamp have markings along with the sager stamp. Regardless I like that one, nice clean little cruiser. You stole it!
Just in case you aren't familiar with this website here is a link to info on sager and most of the other vintage axe makers.
https://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/Sager and Chemical Axes.html
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From above link:


Bob
 
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Interesting that YesteryearsTools also shows this ad for Sager axes from sometime after 1966 (after Mann bought Collins):

Sager%20Ad%20%2770%209.jpg
 
Hey, thanks for all the opinions and for linking Operator1975's thread. That is exactly where I read the bit about the Canadian operations only stamping the axe SAGER. That is what I'm going with. As for the date, I guess it really doesn't matter.
Now I have to finish cleaning it up and hang it...

and then find a SAGER CHEMICAL AXE :.)
 
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