What are good vintage brands?

J

jeffbird

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I keep reading about vintage axes being better.

What are the good brands and models for actual use, rather than collecting?
 
Plumb, Kelly, True Temper, Mann, Collins are the most common. Collins have newer axes that aren't up to the vintage axes so you have to be careful there. Some of the best ones are from smaller companies of which there were hundreds in N. America.
 
One should concider that axe designs changed once people got to North America because the land was largely undeveloped compared to the old world. I still like Swedish companies though.

Collins are made in Mexico, same as "made in China" as far as I am concerned but I could be wrong.
 
new Collins = no good, Hecho en Mexico.

old Collins = good axe, made in USA.

any old vintage USA tools that you could find, don't pass them up if the price is right. they need to be preserved because there is not many USA made tools being manufactured anymore.
 
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Woodcamo Nut said:
new Collins = no good, Hecho en Mexico.

old Collins = good axe, made in USA.

IMO any old vintage USA tools that you could find, don't pass them up if the price is right. they need to be preserved because there is not many USA made tools being manufactured anymore.
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Ya, it would be easier to come up with brands to avoid. And even at that they are so much better than anything you can get at the local hard ware store its just hard to go to wrong.
 
I don't even think there's 10 companies to count on my 10 fingers that currentlly manufacture axes in the U.S., if I'm not mistaken.
 
Ok, bought a Kelly Flint Edge that appears to be in very nice condition.

Where would the group recommend for buying a handle?

Thanks for the help.
 
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Are you skilled at shaping handles and hanging axes? If not then order from House Handle. They are pretty good as delivered.
 
Also, once you develop your eye, you will be able to pick out unmarked, "no name" axes that are obviously high quality and obviously made by Kelly or Collins or...
 
In the vintage axe world, Kelly are the most common, closely followed by Collins and Plumb. Warren axes are of also good quality.

Warren Axe and Tool Co Sager line was probably the most widely used back in the logging hey day. An old Plumb racing axe would also be top notch.
 
In the vintage axe world, Kelly are the most common, closely followed by Collins and Plumb. Warren axes are of also good quality.

Warren Axe and Tool Co Sager line was probably the most widely used back in the logging hey day. An old Plumb racing axe would also be top notch.
 
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