Snow & Nealley Question

J

John Frankl

Joined
Oct 16, 2001
Messages
1,917
Hello All,

Saw an interesting axe at a yard sale today. The handle is old and slim and overall great--it is clearly stamped Snow & Nealley. But the head, although in excellent condition, has no markings whatsoever. Its shape, however, looks exactly like this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNOW-NEALLE...996?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416cace764

It is very wedge shaped. Looks much better for splitting than chopping.

My question is while Snow & Nealley were still make in Maine, did they ever make unmarked axes? Second question is if anyone has used one of these splitting axes? Third question is what you think a reasonable price is for one in excellent condition but no stamping?

Thanks.
 
Snow & Nealley stopped stamping a long time ago, I have heard 1965 thrown out and that seems about right. They made very good axes into the 90s and 2000s. I have a few unstamped newer ones and they are excellent.

The wedge shape is present on a lot of Maine made axes (although not THE quintessential Maine pattern). They work good at splitting (with the twist/30 degree cant to the strike), but they are not splitting axes per se. If the edge (I.E. the first inch or so) is adequately thinned to form a straighter (less convex) face from edge to poll, they are superb choppers that throw a good chip and dont bind excessively. Depth of cut is just one factor, energy sustainable chopping has a lot more factors. The wedge pattern is my favorite all around pattern.

Not sure on the price to be honest. I probably wouldnt spend more than 25 bucks on an axe, but if you are reselling it could be a different story.
 
I only have one thing to add, G-pig covered it pretty well.

A lot of the time the stamps on these were very light and faded away.

Do you know what weight this one is?
 
You're getting into dangerous territory bidding on Maine axes. :)

A LOT of the snow & neallley axes I have - the stamps are pretty faint.
 
Okay. I went back and scored this axe for a decent price. Here are the particulars.

Snow & Nealley marked very clearly on the handle. In fact, it looks as if it was double stamped.

IMG_0513.jpg


The head is rusty, but in just about perfect condition otherwise.

IMG_0514.jpg


Here is is from the top (note the wedge shape) and back (note the very clean pole)

IMG_0515.jpg


IMG_0516.jpg


He is also pretty well hung :)

IMG_0517.jpg


The end of the haft was never cut off, and is pretty clearly marked "3 1/2".

IMG_0518.jpg


Finally, an overall pic that shows the short slender haft and overall condition.

IMG_0519.jpg


Any thoughts on how to clean this one up without a bunch of grinding or etching?

Thanks.
 
Brass wire cup on a 4-1/2 angle grinder. Cleans it nicely and leaves more of the natural patina in place than a steel wire brush.
 
Wow!
That thing is beautiful. You had better watch out though... Coop might find you and steal that one from you :D
 
Thank you, Square peg.

bearhunter,

Since I didn't step over the Maine border to get it, I think he'll let me keep it :)
 
Here are a couple photos after a small brass brush in a drill. The second shows the only stamping on the actual head "3 1/2".

IMG_0527.jpg


IMG_0528.jpg


Also, once some of gunk came off the head, I noticed it is not as completely triangular as I first thought. It is actually hollow ground/forged through the middle before tapering again toward the edge.
 
So when did they actually outsource the heads?
I just double-checked at the outing store down the street. They have the display up that says "100% American Made" or some such. Some of the heads seem to be stamped 'SN'. These are brand new axes, the mini-maul, the hudson bay camp axe, and the kindling axe with a head remarkably similar to my Plumb - looks like a proper tool, and all nicely finished.
The prices seem inline with a well-finished USA-made tool of the type. Usually this store is a bit spendy.

ETA: the ones in the store are labeled hudson bay, but from what I see online it looks more like the Penobscot. It's an 18" handle at the most.

-Daizee
 
Some point in the 2000s S&N began having the heads forged in China. Can't remember the actual year - lots of threads on here about it.

Nice axe John. this one appears to me to be from the 70s or 80s.
 
They may be making axes for Boy Scouts of America stores. Saw one today. Same pattern. Decent handle. Marked only at bottom of head at butt end with "2 1/2" Two cylindrical metal "wedges."

Those stores used to carry same axe marked Snow and Nealy for lots more $$$$.
 
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