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Thrift Store Finds...
- Thread starter SR69
- Start date
Okay, I have to not been able to post here for a while. Since I began posting here, I've picked up FIVE axes you enablers. 
Went back to the shop and after some careful examinations of the axes there, I chose to just take the two best ones they had. One I believe is a Council
(as has been pointed out to me) and the other is a Plumb. I didn't take any handles. These handles were good. The Plumb has this wax covering on the edge.
When I pealed it back, the edge looked unmolested. I thought it might be new, but the handle seems to show some wear. Either way, I manged to get two very
decent axes for $25. (each was $15.). I also picked up a cute camper's axe for $1. that'll be nice for pounding stakes and making kindling. It was made in Japan.
Hope "that" works out for me. I like that little camper's hatchet. It probably weighs about a pound (if that). Compact (maybe 10"?).
While there, I also bought some of his old Nichols American Made Mill Bastard Files. I got two small ones to go into my packs and one medium sized file that
was very aggressive and a big one that was well worn, but that I want to use as firesteels (for striking flints). I'll cut that big one up into 4" sections and ground
down the edges and stick them in my fire kits with some flints and with some charcloth kits. Also picked up some ultra-fine steel wool for the fire kits as well.
Went back to the shop and after some careful examinations of the axes there, I chose to just take the two best ones they had. One I believe is a Council
(as has been pointed out to me) and the other is a Plumb. I didn't take any handles. These handles were good. The Plumb has this wax covering on the edge.
When I pealed it back, the edge looked unmolested. I thought it might be new, but the handle seems to show some wear. Either way, I manged to get two very
decent axes for $25. (each was $15.). I also picked up a cute camper's axe for $1. that'll be nice for pounding stakes and making kindling. It was made in Japan.
Hope "that" works out for me. I like that little camper's hatchet. It probably weighs about a pound (if that). Compact (maybe 10"?).
While there, I also bought some of his old Nichols American Made Mill Bastard Files. I got two small ones to go into my packs and one medium sized file that
was very aggressive and a big one that was well worn, but that I want to use as firesteels (for striking flints). I'll cut that big one up into 4" sections and ground
down the edges and stick them in my fire kits with some flints and with some charcloth kits. Also picked up some ultra-fine steel wool for the fire kits as well.
So that's $25. for the axes, $5. altogether for the files and hatchet and $3.62 for the wool. All in all, today was a great $33.62 day.
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I came across some nice pieces today. I didn't buy them, but told the owner I might know someone who would be interested in them.
Anybody know anything about these and if they are worth restoring? They are definitely in much better shape than the other axes I
bought a few weeks ago. Of course they'd need new handles, but outside of that, I think the heads have a lot of life in them. Thoughts?
One's a True Temper Red Warrior Kelly Works and the other is harder to read, but says "Made In USA" on it with "...IND..." I think as
part of the name on it. I tried playing with the picture to bring out the lettering as best as I could (contrast, saturation, etc...), but I
haven't been able to get passed what I believe to be an "...IND..." in the name.
Damn. I had to line them up next to mine. Now I think I want to keep them. Rats.
While I "think" I don't need two choppers and two double bit axes, the other side
of me says "why the hell not?" I know. I'll justify them by calling them "therapy".
Yeah...that's the ticket.
Anybody know anything about these and if they are worth restoring? They are definitely in much better shape than the other axes I
bought a few weeks ago. Of course they'd need new handles, but outside of that, I think the heads have a lot of life in them. Thoughts?
One's a True Temper Red Warrior Kelly Works and the other is harder to read, but says "Made In USA" on it with "...IND..." I think as
part of the name on it. I tried playing with the picture to bring out the lettering as best as I could (contrast, saturation, etc...), but I
haven't been able to get passed what I believe to be an "...IND..." in the name.
Damn. I had to line them up next to mine. Now I think I want to keep them. Rats.
While I "think" I don't need two choppers and two double bit axes, the other side
of me says "why the hell not?" I know. I'll justify them by calling them "therapy".
Yeah...that's the ticket.
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Square_peg
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2012
- Messages
- 13,824
I'd pass on the Red Warrior unless it's really cheap. It's pretty worn as evidenced by the worn out tow. The other one with the 'IND' lettering looks good despite some pitting. It's had much less use and sharpening than the RW.
I did a little search and Operator1975 seems to have a RW.
I might be able to pick up the RW for cheap. Maybe even both.
I'm thinking about keeping one just to have a double bit ax for
my growing collection then getting rid of one of the felling axes.
I think that would round out my set nicely. I really didn't want to
buy any more axes, but it's one of those "might as well" situations.
I have just about every type of ax across the range of uses.
Seems that one of the double bits needs to be with me.
Thanks SP for the advice SP.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2013
- Messages
- 6,171
SR69 -
You MIGHT be able to get more letters to show up if you use some really fine "cake" flour and a small fluffy brush to kind of "dust for fingerprints" on the markings. Sometimes you can get the flour to accent the faint grooves.
You MIGHT be able to get more letters to show up if you use some really fine "cake" flour and a small fluffy brush to kind of "dust for fingerprints" on the markings. Sometimes you can get the flour to accent the faint grooves.
Dangit. I just bought them.
My beautiful wife offered to do so some painting work for the owner of these two axes
(an Antique Store owner) and she said the sign was going to already be taken care of by
her husband, but she told us to just take the axes for $20. for both! So now, they're both
mine. She also gave me a Railroad Spike that I'm going to play with (see if I can make a
Firesteel out of it).
Damn...now I have all of them. I'll be busy this summer with these. At the very least,
the double bits are going to need to be re-hanged for sure. The other two big fellas
are might just need to have their head tightened up a bit. I'll know in a few days.
Either way, I get to practice my refurbishing skills. I''ve worked with the double
bits a little. They seemed to have no problem going in handle deep into a fresh
cut 10" log section.
Fudge. I have to stop buying axes. That's it. I'm done. I quit.
My beautiful wife offered to do so some painting work for the owner of these two axes
(an Antique Store owner) and she said the sign was going to already be taken care of by
her husband, but she told us to just take the axes for $20. for both! So now, they're both
mine. She also gave me a Railroad Spike that I'm going to play with (see if I can make a
Firesteel out of it).
Damn...now I have all of them. I'll be busy this summer with these. At the very least,
the double bits are going to need to be re-hanged for sure. The other two big fellas
are might just need to have their head tightened up a bit. I'll know in a few days.
Either way, I get to practice my refurbishing skills. I''ve worked with the double
bits a little. They seemed to have no problem going in handle deep into a fresh
cut 10" log section.
Fudge. I have to stop buying axes. That's it. I'm done. I quit.