What should I keep?

jblyttle

jblyttle

Joined
Sep 3, 2014
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This thread is just for fun, and over time others are invited to join in and post. I have a few choices right now in different axe classes of items that I would like to keep but can't keep both. This will be a series of face-offs with opinions and ideas welcomed. Let's hear which you would keep and why. It is totally non-binding and just so that we can all hear different opinions, see some axe choices and have some fun. The first two face-offs will be posted later tonight. May the best axe (or hatchet) win!
 
Round 1:

Large camp axe

The competitors: Plumb versus Union Tool Works

Both of these axes are very close in design. Both are the same size and condition, with a great head, great handle that needs only to be refinished and a splitting profile. This would be my firepit/camping axe.
Both have a roughly boy's axe sized head on an 18 inch handle, both cost me $5 or less. The Plumb I need to tighten the wedge but the wedge is pretty and clean. The Union has an ugly mess in the wedge but it is rock solid. The Plumb is a great old name, the Union is great because it is uncommon. I feel that both work function identically. What would you choose?



 
Round 2:

Larger Jersey head on a boy's axe handle

The contenders:

A Collins Homestead versus a True Temper Kelly Perfect. Both are the same size and profile and would serve the same purpose and be functionally equivalent. Both are profiled for cutting, with is about %5 of my axe use. I don't need these, I just love them. The Collins is one of the first that I have taken apart, refinished and rehung with a new wedge. It is done and functional. The Kelly is where the Collins was and needs all of that work done. It is tight but is not fully seated as if the person that rehung it didn't get it all the way in. The Kelly has a chip. The Collins is better right now, the Kelly could get there. The Collins looks awesome, the Kelly has the advantage of being one of the best looking(in my opinion) axes ever. What would you keep?




 
I really like the convex profile of the Plumb axe. Looks like it would throw some nice chips....
Hell, for $5 each, I'd keep both of them. A .50 cent metal wedge will most likely tighten up your Plumb head.

Good luck to ya...

Tom
 
Your Kelly Perfect looks like the previous owner used a bench grinder to thin out the edge. That may be why it is chipping. He may have gotten it to hot and damaged the temper. But, that's just a guess.

Normally I would say keep and use the Kelly...because I'm just partial to Kellys. But that edge just looks like it was ground down.

Tom
 
I'll save you the trouble of making a decision and buy them all for $5 a piece.....deal?;)
 
1. Plumb. More useful profile.
2. Collins. Better condition head; the Kelly has been abused. And, I don't like phantom bevels; they are too much like lace on work pants. Normally it would be Kelly all the way, but I don't care for the perfects as much as I probably should...
 
Limber up and lay out a pile of firewood rounds and brush/branches and 'go to town' on them with all four axes for an entire weekend. Outward appearance doesn't tell you anywhere near as much as does actually using them.
 
1. Plumb due to the profile and the fact that my Plumbs have excellent steel.
2. Collins...I agree with Double Ott...that Perfect looks like it could potentially have had some major abuse.
 
#1 Plumb, I like their profiles and find the edge treatments consistently good on Plumbs
#2 Kelly Perfect, I like the bevels and would clean up the edge and try it out. If the edge is
compromised, it easy to replace that size axe
 
quinton said:
I would have kept the little Warren Old Faithful hatchet...;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was nice, but so nice that I could never have used it. Also, as much as I appreciate these cool old tools, sometimes it is enough for me to see and handle them...the money that this one generated was worth more to me than the tool. It is enough for me to have seen it and know that it is in the hands of a true collector and one who will take care of it and appreciate it. That money can pay for a gift, some tools or supplies, or the next 10-15 vintage axes.

Here it is if anyone wants to see how nice it was.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261672678363?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649
 
Square_peg said:
1. Union Tool Works
2. Kelly Perfect
Click to expand...

I guess I should have given an explanation like the others. I just got in a hurry. The Union Tools hatchet has a better profile, more bit remaining and a larger poll - i.e. better balance. The Plumb has a weak toe (worn).

A Homestead is a second shelf axe. A Perfect is a top shelf axe. The Kelly has been thinned a bit but grinder marks back there aren't damaging to the steel. If the bit has been compromised it's easy enough to file it back to good steel. But I don't think the bit has been compromised. That chip in the bit is a sign of abuse, not a bad heat treat. And the fact that it chipped instead of rolling leads me to believe that the edge wasn't over heated by a grinder. Plus the Kelly has more bit remaining. More bit of higher quality steel. No-brainer.
 
Sqaure peg,
Thanks, that makes it more fun, and well done. I went the other way on both, but only because that is the game, I.e. pick one. Also I was thinking on the Kelly that it would probably clean up and sell for more than it was worth to me over the Collins :)!
 
I'd keep the union tool works hatchet. The Plumb would probably fetch a better resale price just because of name recognition, The Union tool has a fuller fresher bit and is a less common hatchet.
I'd also go keep that Kelly Perfect, They're some of my favorites (love those bevels) and it has a neat old haft on it.
 
i just glued my handle on my plumb 2992{my dads from unknown age,but when they first came out}. i use thin CA followed by medium CA in the head ..the thin ca really soaks in and secures any chips in the handle and such then the medium tightens the heads and have never had any that i have done lossen yet..and the steel on this hatchet must be high carbon as files just slid across and had to start with belt sander then on my edge pro. Edge turned out outstanding.jeff
 
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