today's fleamarket find - Powr-Kraft boys axe

B

bjp

Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
183
I'm always jealous of just about everyone on this board, what with all the yard-sale and fleamarket finds that pop up here. Almost every axe I've ever seen at such venues have been "sharpened" to near death on the grinder. Well, today was my day I suppose. Finally found something worth getting at the local fleamarket.

It's a Powr-Kraft 2 1/4 lb boy's axe, on a nice old handle. There's a small crack in the handle just below the head, but I'm gonna ride it out and see how it goes. I hid the crack from view (outta sight, outta mind!) with some twine.

Didn't take much work. The head was a tiny bit loose. I drove it home and reseated the wedges that were already in place, trimming a 1/4" or so off the top of the handle in the process. A bit of sharpening was all that was needed for the head, and a coat of linseed oil took care of the nice old handle. I think this one will easily find a place in my rotation. It's actually my first boy's axe. I've got lots of smaller and lots of larger axes, but have managed to never pick up one of these. Now I'll probably cruise the 'bay looking for more.......

Here's my 10-dollar toy:
5AD12538-B018-4F60-BEEB-BE319BBBFE27-2164-0000029065E4558F.jpg

88574117-77C2-4BBA-B288-049E3FF535EC-2164-00000290786FE5B8.jpg

717F29BA-FD86-4EDB-AC2B-E813EA1D18F0-2164-000002907296EBD3.jpg

AAEB9CF7-85CC-498B-B6DF-CE616F481097-2164-000002906C800E27.jpg

C3BFCCE9-7B40-4759-B99E-664DF970B846-2164-000002907E43EAA8.jpg


Thanks for looking.


-ben
 
I think you have a SWEEEET find for $10. I wouldn't worry about the crack near the tor of the handle. Do you know who used the name Power Craft? I'm guessing that it is Wards or a Gambles brand name. It was most likely made by a major maker for them. Kelly made lots of hardware store brand names over the years.

Anyway, put her to work and enjoy her.

Tom
 
Hey, that's a looker! Looks like it's hardly been used, and the shape is really nice looking. Great score especially for only 10 bucks. I like how it looks right now without "over" cleaning it up. Boy's axes are awefully handy, I'm sure you'll love it.
 
i have the EXACT same axe and story !!! mine was 8 bucks, and the stamp is smaller and right on the edge of the poll. my handle was broke to shit. i do believe it was made as Montgomery Wards house brand back then...
 
Thats a sweet axe. Btw, if your really worried about the crack, wrap it with wire. It may still break, but it shouldn't go flying. Nice find!
 
Nice find. Love the pattern.

I believe Powr-Kraft was a Montgomery Ward line. Probably made by Kelly. Certainly looks like it.
 
Nice little score you got there.

Roofer's/Framer's Trick:
Wrap the neck with wire nice & tight, then duct tape.
Then put that nice twine back around it for aesthetics.
Done.

:thumbup:
 
Thanks for the tip, Crazyotter and SR69. I might just do that, even though I'm really not too worried about it (it is a pretty minor crack). I mostly didn't want it to bug me every time I looked at it!


-ben
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top