Yesterday's Finds: 2 DB's

M3mphis · Oct 6, 2011

Found 2 DB's (that is double bits...not...something else

) at a second hand store yesterday.

I think I may have screwed up on the unmarked one. I took a file to the bit and it felt very hard. It was covered with paint, so I wasn't sure if there was a stamp. I went for it and took the chance. The original paint appears to have been a pale blue and it must have had a square label right in the middle. Recognize it? I know, shot in the dark.

They have been soaked in vinegar. Check out the patchy color of the right bit of the unmarked axe. Would this indicate to you a crappy HT????

If it sucks, here is my major mistake: I only checked one spot on one of the bits. I should have used the file to check more thoroughly, but both of the owners were watching me and I felt a little weird about it. Next time I'll know better. Maybe it will work great, we'll see.

Thanks,

Matt

EDIT: These are both supposed to be Christmas presents, but if the unmarked axe is poor quality I don't want to gift it. SO-lend me your thoughts!!?

bearhunter · Oct 6, 2011

nice finds! i really like that true temper

M3mphis · Oct 6, 2011

bearhunter said:
nice finds! i really like that true temper

Thanks, bearhunter. I love it too. Makes me envious to think of giving it away...cheerful giver...cheerful giver...cheerful giver...cheerful giver...

M3mphis · Oct 8, 2011

One is spruced up.

M3mphis · Oct 8, 2011

Operator, I really wonder if the unmarked axe is a collins homestead like you have pictured here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/852088-Let-s-see-your-yard-sale-flea-market-finds/page7

On mine, the original paint was blue and there had been a square label that seems to have been about the same size as the label on yours. Does yours have very flat cheeks?

bearhunter · Oct 8, 2011

again nice work! how did you get the handle to look like that? its beautiful...

M3mphis · Oct 8, 2011

Thanks, bearhunter. I just scorched it, then lightly sanded and oiled it.

G-pig · Oct 8, 2011

Probably was a collins homestead. They used stickers and blue paint.

bearhunter · Oct 8, 2011

G-pig said:
Probably was a collins homestead. They used stickers and blue paint.

don't mean to derail the thread,but i have an old hatchet that had blue paint on half of it painted at an angle. it is just stamped USA.
i probably screwed up, i sanded it off.
could it be a collins as well?
i have another collins that has collins stamped on the head and handle, but no paint.

Operator1975 · Oct 10, 2011

Tough to say. Collins did use the blue paint, especially on the Homestead line. Could it be a Collins? Yes. Does that mean it is? No. I will say most Collins had the COLLINS imprint on it - the history of Collins demanded it - so many imposters and such - however not always the case.