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When did American axes become poor quality and why?
- Thread starter Balls Deep
- Start date
Square_peg
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- Feb 1, 2012
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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.
I'm reasonably sure that Vaughan makes the camp axe and carpenters hatchet for Craftsman, and the ones I own have some of the best grain orientation of any axe Ive ever bought.
It seems to me that the finish and handle are the only things lacking in the new axes. Drop forged and cast steel have come a long way in the past few decades. Adjusted for inflation, I'd say a $40 ax today is every bit as good as its counterpart fifty years ago. Consider, an extra 20 minutes on the grinder at the factory, probably results in an extra $20 - $30 at the store.
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- Jan 2, 2014
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- 342
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.
The Council Tools axes do seem pretty awesome. I've handled (but not used) a few of the Council Tool axes in a local store. They are a little rough around the edges, but it's just minor finish work. They seem very well designed and put together, and are USA made. And I use their replacement handles for many heads I have...love those handles. I haven't held or used a Vaughan, but at least one of their axes got hammered on its three reviews on Amazon due to uneven and unbalanced grinds on a double bit (so take that with a grain of salt). The Councils don't come razor sharp (but decent), but the overall baseline grinds seem good. if I were buying a new full size user axe, I'm going with the Council since I can pick one off the shelf and check it over, and they seem pretty great.
Let's look at a True Temper True American Michigan pattern axe today. In 1964 dollars that's about $4 - $5. So, the question is, what could a person get for that money back then? I'm not sure, but I'd guess, a user axe that would be tossed in the bed of the pickup truck. Which is pretty much the True Temper axe. The inflation ratio is about 8:1. What was available for $10, $15 ($120 in todays dollars)???. Inquiring minds would like to know.
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- Jul 26, 2006
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- 37
The H & B Forge Shawnee is only 50.00. Handforged, guaranteed for life. American-owned family business for 49 years...you don't have to go foreign or pay enormous amounts of money to get quality in America. You just have to look harder than you used to.....
Well, there isn't a huge demand. When there isn't a demand, campanies fail. Those that do survive often find ways to cut corners or outsource all together.
Most Americans nowadays really don't want/need/appreciate a $100+ axe, instead they want that cheap $20 chinacrap for camping. Especially when they don't need to use it all that often. Often times, when you can use a axe, you usually have access to a chainsaw.
Knives on the otherhand, there is a thriving industry that can cater to everyone's needs or desires. I use my knife fairly often, thus I can justify spending quite a bit on a quality knife. Since there are plenty of quality knife makers out there, I can afford to be choosy. I can name a couple dozen knife makers to boot.
I can't do the same for axe's. I can name a dozen off the top of my head, a quarter of which I would even consider buying from.
Really its a sad story seeing American industries fail. I try to buy American when possible, however some industries can't adapt. I have been noticing somewhat of a rennicasce for the axe and tomahawk thanks to youtube/bushcraft/survivalism. So who knows, you might see some more small companies pop up.
Most Americans nowadays really don't want/need/appreciate a $100+ axe, instead they want that cheap $20 chinacrap for camping. Especially when they don't need to use it all that often. Often times, when you can use a axe, you usually have access to a chainsaw.
Knives on the otherhand, there is a thriving industry that can cater to everyone's needs or desires. I use my knife fairly often, thus I can justify spending quite a bit on a quality knife. Since there are plenty of quality knife makers out there, I can afford to be choosy. I can name a couple dozen knife makers to boot.
I can't do the same for axe's. I can name a dozen off the top of my head, a quarter of which I would even consider buying from.
Really its a sad story seeing American industries fail. I try to buy American when possible, however some industries can't adapt. I have been noticing somewhat of a rennicasce for the axe and tomahawk thanks to youtube/bushcraft/survivalism. So who knows, you might see some more small companies pop up.
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
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- 5,431
Here's an example, Hardcore Hatchets (made in USA):
A new line of hatchets made in the USA by Hardcore Hammers.
They are priced in the 40-something dollar range.
"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."
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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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.
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 
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
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The Plumb BSA hatchet I picked up is great! I haven't used it a ton yet, but it takes a great edge and has a very nice weight to it, and by all accounts is made of high quality steel. If the handle is original and salvageable, it should feel great like mine...I've never handled a more comfortable handle other than my Gransfors SFA, which isn't a hatchet at all. Your local flea market and maybe even the antique shops (that's where I found my BSA hatchet) should have some good finds, but either way just get an older vintage Plumb, Collins, Kelly, Keen Kutter, Warren/Sager, Craftsman etc. and they should all be decent as long as they have a nice stamp as to the maker. You can research the vintage of some of them on yesteryeartools.com quickly on a smartphone if you want real-time information while looking.
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.
if you look at the "specialty" section of their site, you can see the true depth of their knowledge when it comes to hammers and striking tools. they charge you an extra $90.00 for the same hatchet but with a terrible example of a hickory handle. i dont think i have ever seen a handle with that much run-out....
how about the hammers with the recessed milled face... how do you sink the nail flush? attempt to hit it with the small outer ring? i assume none of them have used a milled face hammer long enough to know that the waffle only lasts a couple week tops on a true framing hammer. after a month or two its nearly totally flat.... how would you sink nails with a hammer that leaves them protruding 1/4"??? guess they could do away with the duplex form nails.... easy removal hammer... i see the hammer say "patent pending"... i wouldnt waste the money patenting something no one will steal. finish hammer? if you dont mind a nice circle ring dent in your trim...
Regarding Twoinch's comment about Hardcore Hatchets version of a finish hammer I gotta agree. Somebody there really goofed. Recessed face (and then waffle-patterned to boot!) wouldn't be of any real use. Some Estwing products do (or did) feature checkered face patterns 35-40 years ago. Their drywall hammer (a hatchet, and which had a noticeably convex face) was lovely in that a good smack with one on a nail left a polite dimple and distinct pattern on wall board which was easy to see and fill by the tapers (guys that apply the first coat of mud and the joint tape). Their roofing hammer (also a hatchet) similarly had a checkered face but whether the ridges and grooves made any difference is something I never noticed during the 10 years of using one on shingles before the days of air compressors and staplers. The heavy framing hammer version with waffle face merely provided evidence to the municipal building inspector of who exactly was to blame for errant on-site nailing of studs and joists.
And to be sure; the aggressive checker pattern was long gone after about a month of pounding nails, especially if they were 3 1/2 inch spirals.
And to be sure; the aggressive checker pattern was long gone after about a month of pounding nails, especially if they were 3 1/2 inch spirals.
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- Dec 17, 2013
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- 194
Very interesting info, thank you for sharing it. I personally doubt the demand for axes suddenly went from 250,000 a year - the production claimed in 1965 - to zilch in 1973. Or that there was a sudden flood of cheap imported axes; where would they have come from in 1973?
I can see a few "operators" looking for a fast buck shutting down the company and selling off the assets (scrap and real estate) The US axe makers must have been glad - maybe they sent them a few bottles of Canadian Club at Christmas!