Which "semi" rare Axe/Hatchet brand would you most like to find/own ?

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
930
Hi all,

So far, this Summer has been pretty good "Head Hunting" for me. In the last five or so weeks, I've found about fifteen nice Axe/Hatchets (Knives and Meat Cleavers as well). I've found : Gransfors Bruk, Collins, Plumb, Snow & Nealley, North Wayne Tool Co., Warren, Norlund, Tru-Temper and several no name (but nice) Axe heads to name a few. That being said, which Axe Company/Brand/Model would be considered a "GREAT" find ? What "must have" model is missing from my collection. Now, I'm not talking about "Super rare" models (although a Historical Boarding Axe would be cool) but, which Axe would you recommend that would be a welcome addition to a new collection of Axes ? Thanks for any recommendations. Please feel free to post pictures of your favorites.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
You should get a copy of Axe Makers of North America by Allen Klenman. There are a lot of pictures of old axe labels along with histories of several axe companies. I have all the axes I need with a lot of extras. You may want to acquire axes from a particular company. Some people like axes that are embossed like the Black Raven and many others. Maybe you want to build a house? You might try getting a broad axe and hatchet. They come in all sizes and many shapes. Then there are adzes. It is not hard to fill up a house and many outbuildings.
 
I like to collect Hudson Bay axes. I use some of them. The rest of my axes are a variety of users in various patterns. I think if a poll was taken, a majority of people would say I have too many axes, however some others on this forum have more. Here are most of my Hudson Bay axes.
HudsonBayAxes.jpg
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Kelly black raven is my favorite. The artwork is awesome and the axes were awesome. Does anyone know how to find out who owns the naming rights to the old lines? Barco obviously has the perfect and woodslasher rights, but I don't know if they got all the Kelly lines with the buyout.
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for responding to my thread. Hal, that is a AWESOME collection of "Hudson Bay" Axes! I have indeed seen a picture of that Black Raven and it is VERY cool! I'd love to find one. I should point out, most of my "collection" of Axes is mostly Axe "Heads" at this point in time. That is to say, they will have to be re-hung. However, most of my hatchets on the other hand are good to go : the GB (old style) "Wildlife", Tru-temper Woodsman", Plumb, etc. I will have to look into a "Hudson Bay" style Axe. I'm not sure what make a "Hudson Bay" style Axe a "Hudson Bay" style Axe. Is it the shape/size/weight of the Axe Head or is it more to do with the OAL ? I have a couple of "Snow & Nealley" Axe heads that are not too big. Today, I found three old Hatchets I'm now in the process of cleaning. I believe these are more "roofing" type Hatchets. All are the same design but I have one in small, med. and large. The three cost me nine dollars (three bucks each) however the Handles will have to be replaced. I'm not yet sure what make they are until they finish their Vinegar bath. I'd like to find another NORLUND, a full size NORLUND as opposed to my lil' double bit "Saddle Cruiser". Perhaps a Norlund with the Tomahawk style head as I just like it's looks. Truthfully, if an Axe is not too expensive, I buy it regardless. I however should stop buying the "Roofing" type Hatchets as I have about a half dozen of them now. I guess a "Boys" Axe would be cool as well. Is there a common BRAND NAME I'm missing ? I think I have "something" from the "most often discussed" brand names.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
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HARDBALL said:
Is there a common BRAND NAME I'm missing ? I think I have "something" from the "most often discussed" brand names.
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Kelly/True Temper and Collins are probably the most famous names. But there were so many really great makers. Plumb made top notch stuff back in the day. Super great geometry in their old axes. Same with Warren - just really super well made stuff - both in the steel and the geometry. Stiletto also made top shelf stuff (some of it made by True Temper). Welland Vale (Canada) is awesome. Welland also made axes for Marshall-Wells. Truthfully there are way too many great makers to name them all.
 
Hi SP,

Ummmm, other than the Welland Vale, I think I have at least one of the more "common" Axes you listed. I guess I'm off to a pretty good start. Every one in awhile, I go through sort of of OCD phase and now.....it's Axes/Hatchets & Knives. If it's priced right and in hafway decent condition, I buy it. Of course half the fun for me is cleaning up an old rusty Axe.
Thanks for your help SP. I'm going to try to find some KELLY marked Axe. Oooh, is NORLUND more.....obscure ?
I sure like my lil' doubled bit "Saddle Crusier".

HARDBALL
 
I Blood

Stohler

Warren Hunt

Mann Edge Tool - Knot Klipper line

Keen Kutter - by Mann/Kelly

Warren Axe and Tool - Sager Chemical

Collins - Legitimus line

Kelly - Registered line

Plumb - Victory/Genuine/Guaranteed lines

AmericanAx and Tool Co

That's a few.
 
For my collection, I so badly want a Finnish "Billnas" style axe. I think it would be a killer "all arounder." I also have a hankering for a Scandinavian inspired carving axe; something like a Svante Djarv. Probably not what you had in mind, HARDBALL, but maybe you'll like them.
 
Maine axes are another hole in my collection that I really want to fill. Peavey, S&N, Rixford...
 
M3mphis said:
Maine axes are another hole in my collection that I really want to fill. Peavey, S&N, Rixford...
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Rixy was out of Vermont, M3mphis! It's ok.. I forgive you... I know I throw a few other companies like Walters and Rixford into the "Maine" category and call them "northeastern axes".
 
G-pig said:
Rixy was out of Vermont, M3mphis! It's ok.. I forgive you... I know I throw a few other companies like Walters and Rixford into the "Maine" category and call them "northeastern axes".
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Oops... I've been off on that for awhile then. Well, I guess I don't want a Rixford then! :D
 
G-pig said:
Rixy was out of Vermont, M3mphis! It's ok.. I forgive you... I know I throw a few other companies like Walters and Rixford into the "Maine" category and call them "northeastern axes".
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Walters was a Canadian company with a New York factory too. Hull, Quebec was the main office and factory so maybe it was actually a "southeast" axe :D
 
halfaxe said:
Walters was a Canadian company with a New York factory too. Hull, Quebec was the main office and factory so maybe it was actually a "southeast" axe :D
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I didn't know they had a New York factory... Where can I find more about that?
 
G-pig said:
I didn't know they had a New York factory... Where can I find more about that?
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I got my information from The Axe Makers of North America by Allan Klenman. He just has a sentence at the end of the Walters section saying that for many years they maintained a warehouse and fabricating plant in Ogdensburg, NY. I have a hatchet stamped on the handle Walters, Hull, Quebec and Ogdensburg NY.

Morley Walters was still president and owner at 101 years of age when he died in 1969. The company was sold and they went out of business in 1973. It had been in operation since 1866 as Walters Axe Co., even earlier if you count family axe makers.
 
M3mphis said:
For my collection, I so badly want a Finnish "Billnas" style axe. I think it would be a killer "all arounder."
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I was lucky enough to get one a couple of months ago. I had a custom puukko made and asked the maker if he would mind finding me a Finnish axe. He was happy to hear that I had an interest in them and sent me one along with my knife. I haven't hung it yet, but I'll be interested to try it out. It's definitely "different". The geometry is crazy. I can't wait to try it out.
 
Bridger said:
I was lucky enough to get one a couple of months ago. I had a custom puukko made and asked the maker if he would mind finding me a Finnish axe. He was happy to hear that I had an interest in them and sent me one along with my knife. I haven't hung it yet, but I'll be interested to try it out. It's definitely "different". The geometry is crazy. I can't wait to try it out.
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I hope you'll post pictures!
 
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