The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
New model True Temper axes and Vaugn axes meanwhile don't seem to rank as highly as the previously mentioned axes.
Vaughan has off-shored a few things but most of their stuff is still U.S. made and of high quality. I've recently acquired a finish hammer and a couple of nail pullers from Vaughan. All are US made of high quality steel.
Hey Bo, a $40 axe of any specific brand? Modern Collins, true tempers, and ludells can be close to price that but don't seem to be reviewed very highly.
Hey Bo, a $40 axe of any specific brand? Modern Collins, true tempers, and ludells can be close to price that but don't seem to be reviewed very highly.
... you might see some more small companies pop up.
A new line of hatchets made in the USA by Hardcore Hammers.
They are priced in the 40-something dollar range.
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"Midnight-Mare Blue, Curved: Just like the straight handle version, only for those that prefer the shape and ergonomics of curved handles when explaining to your daughter's new boyfriend just how important she is to you."
Not a very overly comprehensive review but I wonder how their opinion of it has changed over time. (One of the very last posts) but it sounds like its a winner out of the box. For $40 it looks to be a very good ax. They might surpass the very "hit or miss" that Cold Steel axes have become or the walmart specials.Here's an example, Hardcore Hatchets (made in USA):
Somebody from this forum bought one and did a review (later in this thread):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1013657-Hardcore-Hatchets-%28made-in-USA%29
Update: They expanded their product line, they now make an 18" "Huntsman Axe", priced in the $40s.
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If it's strictly a user and not a collector (ie distinct stamps) then keep your eyes out for an older no-name axe that is still in good shape. Seems everyone here (except me) can find $5 brand name choppers at flea markets and garage sales. Not much risk under those circumstances and if the darn thing turns out to be no good then you use it as a paperweight and seek out another. It's rare to find an old axe that is poorly made! Unlike taking a chance on a hardware store cheapie of today.So, I am considering shelling out the cash for a velvicut maul or axe, maybe a hatchet too. Or one of the Hardcore Hatchets. I had been looking on ebay for a decent vintage US made head for any or all of the above, but how do I know what to look for? Are the keen kutters good? Plumb? BSA? I see a lot of those. Just clueless as to what's what out there![]()
Here's an example, Hardcore Hatchets (made in USA):
Somebody from this forum bought one and did a review (later in this thread):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1013657-Hardcore-Hatchets-%28made-in-USA%29
Update: They expanded their product line, they now make an 18" "Huntsman Axe", priced in the $40s.
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Hi BD,
You might enjoy viewing this old Film/Thread I posted some time ago.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-AXE-making-film!-Awesome!?highlight=HARDBALL
General Manager Ed Hamel had a controlling interest in Walters Axe after Morley died. A few astute Ottawa businessmen realized Ed's technical value and enticed him over to set up a huge scrap metal recycle facility called Baker Brothers (now BakerMet) by purchasing Walters Axe along with Ed's services. No surprise then that when they looked over the ledger books, after successfully luring Ed Hamel over, that they immediately decided to fold up the axe business.
Museum of Science and Technology, when it first opened in Ottawa in the mid 70s (?), featured along the entrance wall a large display of brand new types of every Walters axe. I don't know whatever happened to these. Also, Leonard Lee the founder of Lee Valley Tools had a large glass-encased display of Walters Axe products in his Ottawa store during the mid 1980s. Don't know whatever happened to those either.