What happened to Snow and Nealley?

Just to let you guys know, I saw some of the new S'nealleys. a month ago. The handle had a sticker saying; "assembled in the US with parts of US and China origin" if I remember the wording. So that last run of Chinese heads are still around.

Hardball, I agree with you. When the heads are made in the US, I will purchase one.
 
Nice that they're being that up front about it under the new ownership, at least! Speaks for their ethics vs. the old guard. :)
 
I wonder if Base Camp X will be changing their axes (not that I'd buy one from them). As I recall they used the same snow & nealley heads / handles. I don't think they were getting them directly from the china forge.

I have a chinese forged snow & nealley double. It works pretty good. Heard stories of rolled bits from forest service colleagues but no first hand bad experience.
 
I understand the sentimentality behind the outright disregard of chinese production but probably this is a bit simplistic. In reality, on an industrial level they have the highest quality and latest versions of all manner of production capabilities, and at the other end, small scale craft work is available there also of the highest quality. I imagine, that for these adventure seeking Amish capitalist just about anything could be done there on any quality level right now.

E.DB.
 
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And possibly the type of steel used. I'm not sure that even the very best hardening and tempering of old car fenders can result in a good axe. ;)
 
Why would that company choose such low quality steel for axes? I guess Snow and company would specify the raw materials they want or go to a producer who met their standard. But if they are trying to harden old car bumpers, it's true, they have their task set out for them.
I have one tool of Chinese origin, a small wooden spokeshave. Very good quality steel.

E.DB.
 
For right now the reorder of Chinese heads was probably a matter of supply chain management. They needed to have something on hand to continue filling orders and they plan on making a change down the road shortly...so changing the steel would be a delay and a headache when they're trying to shift production here anyway. So I can understand why they would just go "alright, give us some more like the last batch" and call it good.
 
You're trying to stand by the claim they are using old car bumpers then?
Well, they do have a serious environmental problem, maybe it's their attempt at recycling.

E.DB.
 
I read a paper recently that said the farmers in China used a lot of 1020 steel for their implements. I do not know if that is still true, but.....
 
'Car fenders' is just an analogy. The axes may or may not be made out of recycled materials. But the fact remains that the recent S&N import axes are not of the same quality that their American made axes were. So we're pleased to hear that they want to start having their axes made here again.
 
Yeah, I understood the automobile to axe-head trajectory and was just playing along.

Here or there, it has little to do with the quality factor. Please get on with what you-all are trying to say.

E.DB.
 
You misunderstand cooperhill, no ill intent was ever intended especially in the direction of square peg, quite the opposite and sorry if that wasn't clear. But truly, what is being brought up here? Is it that due to less transportation involved these axes will now be more environmentally friendly for US customers? If on the other hand there is an assertion that simply moving production from China to the USA will somehow have an effect in and of itself on the quality of these axes this is simply fantasy and that ought to be understood.
If it's heavy discussion you look for head on over and join in on the pornography thread started by the bearhunter.

E.DB.
 
"If it's heavy discussion you look for head on over and join in on the pornography thread started by the bearhunter."

Ernest, Ernest, Ernest...there really isn't any reason for comments like this. You sure come across as a highly opinionated and outright rude person in many posts. Maybe you should consider a cooling off period.
Just my thoughts...

Tom

EDIT: To add rude!
 
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Just my .02 on overseas produced goods. Much has to do with pricepoint and what consumers have come to expect. The cheapest of riflescopes have been made in Japan for example. Nightforce(one of the leaders to be had) is also made in Japan.

Production moved to China to take advantage of being able to hit a low pricepoint with consumers. Now that the reputation for loew quality/cheap price has been established. People are not willing to pay for high quality with "Made in China" on the item. However, "Made in Germany" or "Made in Sweden" tends to loosen up walltes. "Made in USA"- speaks to patriotism and the intent that the quality will be there.

No matter where it is made, the proof is in the end result but stigmas, once formed, are hard to overcome.

Bill
 
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