Snow & Nealley Update!

[FortyTwoBlades]

I had spoken to the new owners of Snow & Nealley at the Common Ground Fair last year and asked about their project to move production back to the USA. At that time they predicted they'd have their first USA-made axes about a year out. Sure enough I was at the fair today and I swung by the booth to check in.

They also had a small hatchet that they put up on the rack a few minutes after I snapped the pics. Those three models are now completely USA-made and they're continuing to roll over their other models as fast as they can. Apparently their biggest limitation right now is just the amount of time it takes for the forging dies to be made.

 

[Twoinch]

price point?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'm honestly not sure--I forgot to ask! Will find out, though it may take me a little bit.

 

[dmrahn]

Yay! A great American made tool for a great price. I cannot wait to get my hand on one of these tools.

 

[kenash]

Catalog price & availability? I want. Buddies may want. It's Fall here. It's time for axes & hatchets to be flying off the wall.

 

[Bridger]

Please say you told them to make dies for a Connecticut!

It's good to see the repatriation of such an old company.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I think they're working on converting their present models to USA manufacture before entertaining ideas for new products.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

So are they really making axes or are these contract Councils? Like to see a eyes on report from the factory.

 

[Steve Tall]

So are they really making axes or are these contract Councils? Like to see a eyes on report from the factory.

Someone on another forum reportedly called them recently (this month) and was told that the heads are forged with custom dies by another company somewhere else in the USA (Midwest), and they do the rest (heat treat, etc.) in Maine.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Someone on another forum reportedly called them recently (this month) and was told that the heads are forged with custom dies by another company somewhere else in the USA (Midwest), and they do the rest (heat treat, etc.) in Maine.

This. They partnered with a forged parts company somewhere in the Midwest to have the forgings done. To the best of my understanding the forging company is not strictly an axe or hand tools manufacturer, but obviously has the capacity to do that kind of work.

 

[triggahappy]

So does the "Snow and Nealley USA Est. 1864" stamp disguise the made in USA models? How was the forging/hafting? Up to par with Council Velvicut?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

So does the "Snow and Nealley USA Est. 1864" stamp disguise the made in USA models? How was the forging/hafting? Up to par with Council Velvicut?

If instead of "disguise" you mean "denote" then yes, as does the "100% Made In USA" sticker. Those that are currently still of partial off-shore manufacture don't have the sticker or that new crisp stamp.

The forging and hafting looked solid to me. The surface is fully ground smooth so judging the quality of the forging itself ain't exactly easy, but the shape of the heads was nicely executed. The edge was definitely not ready to go out of the box, but I don't see that as a problem--that's long been the historical norm. I think they possibly use a polymer wedge in them, though? The top of the head and eye has a black paint on it but the wedge looked dead smooth.

 

[triggahappy]

Yeah, sorry for the autocorrect, but sounds great! I may have to hunt one down

 

[Square_peg]

Any word on what steel they're using?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

No, but that's a good question.When I write them for an updated price list I'll ask.