What Would You Do?

J

JerryS

Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
29
I just purchased a Collins Hatchet on the 'Bay. The thing has been used maybe a couple of times and still has most of the circular foil sticker. My question is, Would you use an axe with the sticker intact or just hang it up to look at? I'm a firm believer that axes were made to be used,but the sticker was one of the reasons I bought it. Would do ya'll recommend?
 
Well me personally, I would display it and find me another at a flea market, yard sale, estate sale for use. Relics, especially in good condition and markings, and or stickers are hard for me to find in my part of the country. But, what ever you decide is up to you! Congrats on score!
 
I'd carefully remove the sticker with a heat gun then preserve it and use the thing.
Just think about it, if you were that tool which was proudly forged and meant to be used would you want to just hang on a wall ? It's like being forced to retire from a job that you took pride in.
 
^Yup. The later period cirucular foil stickers are common and recent. If it was an older and rarer one it might be worth preserving but I'd not worry about it in this case.
 
I think I have been fooled! The hatchet that arrived was forged in a mold indicated by the seam lines. They're were NO Collins markings anywhere other than the damaged circular foil sticker on the left cheek. The strangest was the crooked M and 1 1/4 (it looks like) embossed on the right side.Oh and I forgot to mention the tree trunk size handle that was only about 13'' and flat on the sides. I know it was the original handle because when I went to remove the eyesore I realized it was painted,epoxied and set with an aluminum wedge.It was not fun to remove!
I know I have myself to blame for buying it without looking closer,but I can't help but be miffed. I collect mainly Collins (6 so far) and I have never seen one like this. Should I just give up on it and set it aside or is it actually just a black sheep that has yet to get the respect it deserves? Well, guys have I shit the bed?
 
JerryS said:
I think I have been fooled! The hatchet that arrived was forged in a mold indicated by the seam lines. They're were NO Collins markings anywhere other than the damaged circular foil sticker on the left cheek. The strangest was the crooked M and 1 1/4 (it looks like) embossed on the right side.Oh and I forgot to mention the tree trunk size handle that was only about 13'' and flat on the sides. I know it was the original handle because when I went to remove the eyesore I realized it was painted,epoxied and set with an aluminum wedge.It was not fun to remove!
I know I have myself to blame for buying it without looking closer,but I can't help but be miffed. I collect mainly Collins (6 so far) and I have never seen one like this. Should I just give up on it and set it aside or is it actually just a black sheep that has yet to get the respect it deserves? Well, guys have I shit the bed?
Click to expand...

Most people believe that the M stands for Mann, though it has been speculated that it could sometimes stand for mexico. Could you post a picture of it ? Because the flat handle really reminds me of the current Mexican collins stuff ( yours may be an older Mexican collins as the paint is black instead of gray )
I'd check it with a file , if the steel seems decent having the atrocious seems is a good opportunity to reshape the head.
 
Some later hatchets and axes with the foil label did not have stamped heads, so it probably isn't a fake Collins, just a later production.
 
halfaxe said:
Some later hatchets and axes with the foil label did not have stamped heads, so it probably isn't a fake Collins, just a later production.
Click to expand...

I agree. I suspect the late US production look very similar to the Mexican products which replaces them. I also think it would be interesting, though not particularly valuable, to a collector/historian of Collin's, and would have been more so with the original handle intact.
 
That's not a fake. Also, it isn't a model that anyone would fake anyway. As a collectible, it is worthless. As a hatchet, there is nothing wrong with it. The handle sucks but you already took care of that. No biggie. When you consider that $20 gets you a Kobalt POS, you could do worse. Use it and don't worry about it.
 
jblyttle said:
That's not a fake. Also, it isn't a model that anyone would fake anyway. As a collectible, it is worthless. As a hatchet, there is nothing wrong with it. The handle sucks but you already took care of that. No biggie. When you consider that $20 gets you a Kobalt POS, you could do worse. Use it and don't worry about it.
Click to expand...

You can say that again 😉 20$ nowadays gets you a 💩💩Mexican made Collins hatchet.
 
I got one just like it that came with 2 other hatchets, 1 being an older craftsman which is what I was after, anyway yes the handle is very uncomfortable, not even chamfered on the fawns foot. Feels like grabbing a piece of lumber
 
I file tested the cutting edge and it's nice and hard,so I guess I'll put a handle on it and an edge and see how it performs. You never know it may turn out to be a good belt axe. Only time can tell. I guess it was so different than what I'm used to I was a tad unsure of it's genuineness. Thank you all for your input.I have a bit more hope it could work out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top