Recommendation? What axe would you always pick up?

P

PoeTayder

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May 25, 2018
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Wasn't sure if I should post this question in the "It followed me home" thread or not. I'm pretty new to the axe game, and will be posting my first pictures next week in the "What did you rehang today".

My fiancee and I enjoy going to flea markets, yard sales and antique stores, and I see axe heads, saws, and all manner of hammers, usually way overpriced. So my question for any of you is this: Is there an axe (or hatchet, saw, hammer) that you would always pick up? Or that you're searching for? I know everyone has their own preferences, and that many old axe heads have good steel and will be usable given proper care. That's not what I am asking, more what you personally would not pass up. I've seen in the past two months that I have been lurking in this forum that people generally like Plumb, Kelley, and True Temper, and I've seen a mention or two of a Black Raven.

Just wanted to see if I could start a list of things to keep an eye out for in my travels. Though I doubt I'll ever bring in a haul like I see JB bring home!
 
I'm new to this game too. Although I've been looking for a True Temper Kelly Perfect Jersey pattern for about the last ten years : )
So I'm mostly just looking for axes. I set my price at no more than $20. I don't NEED any axes. So no reason to spend $60.00 on an super clean Hudson Bay patter German axe.
 
Personally , I appreciate the F.S.S. logo'ed axes ...(if the bit hasn't been ground into a nub) .
Charles
 
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There are a few things I'd never hesitate to pick up if I saw them for a price I liked, but because I want or need them.

#1 any saddle axe ( db hatchet )
#2 - a true temper rocket hatchet ( don't know why )
#3 - 8oz ball peen
#4 - 1lb cross peen.
#5 - a nice Michigan boys axe with phantom bevels
#6 - a nice bell faced 16oz rip claw
#7 - a 12" Disston crosscut



Now for things I'd never pass just because even if I don't need them, that would be
Any 20oz framer that looks good ( loaner...ect ), any ball peen that looks good, any standard 1-1/4 hatchet that looks good, and any old handsaw preferably Disston that looks good.
 
Good replies so far! I'm the same survivor, I dont need an axe where I currently live other than to split some wood once every few months for a firepit. So I would like a hatchet/axe combo for that. I've also caught the woodworking bug from my dad, so I am in the market for just about all the basic tools. I did read in the crosscut saw thread about someone finding a Disston saw and cleaning it up, it was beautiful. Personally I love things with some history behind them, which is why I think it grabbed me so much when my grandparents moved and suddenly i had three hatchets, an axe, and a 2 lb hammer, with one of the hatchets being 80 years old from his eagle scout years. I realize I will never get that rich of a backstory from a flea market, but knowing the origin or rarity of what I'm looking at may help me decide if I've found a tool to pass to my kids someday.

So you're safe squarepeg, I'll leave them all (well the vast majority) for you!
 
If every axe head I came across in person was like 5 or 10 bucks I'd buy every single one of them that was mostly complete. I always have a friend or someone who could use an axe. But for more money I would always take an old Collins, Keen Kutter, Emerson Stevens variant, old Snow & Nealley, Kelly or basically any Jersey or Connecticut in nearly complete condition, especially at lighter weights like 3lbs because they tickle my fancy. Embossing and more elaborate markings are always nice as well. But zero of this ever happens to me so it's all just wishful thinking.
 
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