Western Logger Axes?

DarthTaco123 · Apr 20, 2015

Was out perusing the local antique malls for some antique tools and came across a treasure trove (as the price of a treasure too). Picked these three up knowing they were quality based off names I'd seen before, stamp styles etc. and came up with a handled big ole Craftsman 4-4.5 lber in a pattern I really don't know with a stamp that looked like it might be from the 40s. Picked up a Dunlap (looks like sears, maybe 40s) and one I don't know much of anything on. Heavy, probably 4 lbs and marked Western Logger. Has a good profile, convex cheeks like the other ones but I can't say I recognize the name or brand. I've seen a couple posted on here (I think) but I'm not too sure.

Steve Tall · Apr 20, 2015

Here's a photo of a "Western Logger" axe head with a partial label:

Looks like it says something like:
HARD___________
_______TING CO TACOMA

On a crosscut saw forum, there was a saw stamped WESTERN LOGGER that was also stamped H.D. CO.

DarthTaco123 · Apr 20, 2015

No additional stamps on mine past Western Logger, least not that's left. The other side got hit with a wire wheel pretty good up by the poll but not bad enough to take off any stamps I'd think. Overall the head is about four pounds. It's the only one I don't know anything about, the insanely deep temper like (looks like it almost goes to the eye) and the shape of the head got me interested. Looks almost like a cedar pattern.

Square_peg · Apr 20, 2015

Steve Tall said:
Here's a photo of a "Western Logger" axe head with a partial label:

Looks like it says something like:
HARD___________
_______TING CO TACOMA

On a crosscut saw forum, there was a saw stamped WESTERN LOGGER that was also stamped H.D. CO.

That is the classic color of Gransfors Bruk export axes from the 60's (like Stro-Bro GB imports). Remember, GB was the bargain priced import back then. Still good steel.

DarthTaco123 · Apr 21, 2015

I'd not mind having a GB import ax, I rather like this theory. The sticker on Mr. Tall's post shows what looks to be "made in ----". The lattering seems to be rather short so it looks like it might be Made in USA? Could be Sweden. Regardless it's got a great shape to it, deep temper line, hard steel, good center line, and a heft weight. Looks like a cedar pattern to me, can't wait to throw some chips once I select a log size for this beastie so I can get to work on making it's handle.

What would you guys recommend? Comfy curves or straight up?

G-pig · Apr 23, 2015

DarthTaco123 said:
I'd not mind having a GB import ax, I rather like this theory. The sticker on Mr. Tall's post shows what looks to be "made in ----". The lattering seems to be rather short so it looks like it might be Made in USA? Could be Sweden. Regardless it's got a great shape to it, deep temper line, hard steel, good center line, and a heft weight. Looks like a cedar pattern to me, can't wait to throw some chips once I select a log size for this beastie so I can get to work on making it's handle.

What would you guys recommend? Comfy curves or straight up?

In my opinion the handle in your first picture is perfect. The curve at the knob is not excessive, and there is a slight off-set in the neck. The whole straight handle thing is somewhat of a misnomer. I am a "straight handle advocate", yet my handles that I carve are not straight. They are like that handle. Benefits of the straight handle, and the comfort of the curves.

DarthTaco123 · Apr 23, 2015

You know it! For 18 dollars with a handle like that in a head like that I couldn't refuse. Still have to even out the edge (the previous owner used a bench grinder). It's odd to see more wear on the heel than toe. She does chop well though, love the handles like this and I'll probably use this as a basic template for the Western Logger when I Get around to carving a handle out for that beastie.

300Six · Apr 23, 2015

Square_peg said:
That is the classic color of Gransfors Bruk export axes from the 60's (like Stro-Bro GB imports). Remember, GB was the bargain priced import back then. Still good steel.

Agree with you on this. Whatever unique blue this was (I remember seeing these in the lumber/hardware store bins during the 1960s/70s) it did distinguish between domestic and imports. Weird to think back when 'made in Sweden or w. Germany' shelf prices were automatic monetary equivalent of 'made in China/Mexico/India' of today.

DarthTaco123 · Apr 23, 2015

The steel is more than fantastic and as the image shows: The temper line is almost to the eye. It almost looks to be two piece construction. Weather it's GB or not, it'll be a fantastic axe one it's sharpened and put on a stick.

rjdankert · Apr 25, 2015

DarthTaco123 said:
The steel is more than fantastic and as the image shows: The temper line is almost to the eye. It almost looks to be two piece construction. . .

I've seen a few other pictures of Western Logger axes. They all seem to have that temper line, which I am not used to seeing.

Here is another example:

For those who have seen WAY more axes than I have: How common are long bits like these? Manufacturer(s)? Pics?

DarthTaco123 said:
. . . Weather it's GB or not, it'll be a fantastic axe one it's sharpened and put on a stick.

Hope you will follow up on how it works out for you.

Steve Tall · Apr 25, 2015

rjdankert said:
...How common are long bits like these? Manufacturer(s)? Pics?
...

A thread on Puget Sound felling axes:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/989464-New-Puget-Sound-patterns

Square_peg · Apr 25, 2015

That's a swamping pattern not a Puget Sound.

rjdankert · Apr 25, 2015

Steve Tall said:
A thread on Puget Sound felling axes:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/989464-New-Puget-Sound-patterns

Example of what I'm used to seeing (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1245795-Axe-head-ID)

Western Logger in OP

My question is in regard to the ratios B:L in the examples above. Sorry if my question wasn't clear. I'll restate it.

For those who have seen WAY more axes than I have: How common are long bits (i. e. large B:L ratio) like these Western Loggers? Manufacturer(s)? Pics?

Thanks

Steve Tall · Jun 5, 2015

Steve Tall said:
Here's a photo of a "Western Logger" axe head with a partial label:

Looks like it says something like:
HARD___________
_______TING CO TACOMA

On a crosscut saw forum, there was a saw stamped WESTERN LOGGER that was also stamped H.D. CO.

I took another look at this label (enlarged), and the bottom line looks like
HARD------ISTRIBUTING CO TACOMA

So, I'm now convinced that it says
HARDWARE DISTRIBUTING CO TACOMA
especially since there was a company in Tacoma with that name, incorporated in 1975.

http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/search_detail.aspx?ubi=600164136

This would also be consistent with the H.D. CO. stamp on the Western Logger crosscut saw.

DarthTaco123 · Jun 5, 2015

Yep! I just made a post about it above, asked a few of the guys on a facebook group for axe junkies and got a fairly speedy answer. Tacoma imported the heads from Sweden and Germany and assembled them in the U.S for distribution at Sears, and Montgomery Wards.

Steve Tall · Jun 5, 2015

This dates them to the mid-1970s at the earliest.

Square_peg · Jun 5, 2015

DarthTaco123 said:
Tacoma imported the heads from Sweden and Germany and assembled them in the U.S for distribution at Sears, and Montgomery Wards.

So it may indeed be a GB axe. I noted the color similarity above.

garry3 · Jun 8, 2015

Square_peg said:
That's a swamping pattern not a Puget Sound.

I know an old axe collector that just calls them bowtie patterns.