Let's see your axes

[Mike'smeatshop]

I also picked two up this weekend for $5.00 for both. A single bit and a double bit I plan on hanging. Anyone ever see a single with some numbers stamped on it? Now the weight is 3.5 Lb. I guess it could be weight with a lot of sharpening. Thanks.

 

[catongw]

Working on this one this week. Lost the makers mark in the electrolysis so put the name on the handle for grins and giggles lol

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Working on this one this week. Lost the makers mark in the electrolysis so put the name on the handle for grins and giggles lol

The makers mark looks engraved. So electrolysis wares the mark off?

 

[catongw]

The makers mark looks engraved. So electrolysis wares the mark off?

It's still there faintly but if you don't know where to look you'd probably never see it . But I'm saying left it in too long ? I think an hour or so , maybe longer . Very faint .

 

[Mintgrun]

Lost the makers mark in the electrolysis

What are you using in your electrolysis setup? It almost looks like salt, instead of soda. How many volts/amps?

That seems like pretty aggressive cleaning for only one hour.

 

[catongw]

What are you using in your electrolysis setup? It almost looks like salt, instead of soda. How many volts/amps?

That seems like pretty aggressive cleaning for only one hour.

Yeah it was salt. Old schumaker battery charger , I think 12v 10 amps ?

 

[Outlawmws]

Use Wash soda, or lye, or spa/Pool chem PH + - I've never been a fan of salt in electrolysis, You are tying to remoce rsut, not etch it deeper.

 

[catongw]

Use Wash soda, or lye, or spa/Pool chem PH + - I've never been a fan of salt in electrolysis, You are tying to remoce rsut, not etch it deeper.

Already got me a big ol box of washing soda. Thanks .

 

[snorvet]

My survival axe. Bought the axe blank. I made the handle and sheath.

 

[Outlawmws]

Very Nice vet! What kind of wood for the handle?

 

[snorvet]

Vert Nice vet! What kind of wood for the handle?

Thanks - spalted hackberry.

 

[catongw]

Thanks - spalted hackberry.

Interesting.

 

[2oolhound]

I was in a local mercantile store that had a hardware section where I found this nice little 28” hickory handle for a double bit ax. Looking at it you could see it had been passed over for a long time as it didn’t have a very fresh appearance like all the other handles and the $3.98 price tag confirmed it was old stock. Even if I didn’t have a head at home this handle was not going back in the bin. It says JOURNEYMAN on one side.
As it turned out I had pulled this double bit head out of my pile a while back. It was in such poor shape I sandblasted it and then it had been sitting around my bench for several months (just waiting for this handle). I don’t remember where I originally got this head or how long I’ve had it (I’ve got a drawer full of this type of wood tools I’ve had for decades).



I’ll say now that I don’t consider myself a collector so much as a user which is why I’ll sandblast some of these old tools. I fully intend to do some serious chopping with this baby. NOTE: Key word “Intend”.



So round, so firm, so fully packed this baby is about 9” long with 5 1/2” bits! I’ve got a couple double bit felling axes but only one of these. In it’s day it would be used for swamping out all the low brush around a tree that was to be felled, debarking areas where you needed to hammer wedges and any general chopping. One side has a rounder edge for dirty work while the other has a sharper angle kept special for only serious cutting. Sadly, in my day you might bury one edge into a big gnarly stump, lay a stretch of cable across the top blade and come down on it hard with a sledge hammer to sever the cable. There is a special dedicated tool for this but often enough an ax was used. Thankfully this Walters Black Diamond avoided this kind of abuse.






I still need to sharpen it but a generous coating of BLO will hold it for now.




catongw, I had a couple of those single bit axes with the sunken cheeks back when I was young and dumb. I really liked the big one for splitting firewood. Sadly I moved in a hurry and left them stuck into my chopping block. Axes were so plentiful in those days.

​

 

[catongw]

I was in a local mercantile store that had a hardware section where I found this nice little 28” hickory handle for a double bit ax. Looking at it you could see it had been passed over for a long time as it didn’t have a very fresh appearance like all the other handles and the $3.98 price tag confirmed it was old stock. Even if I didn’t have a head at home this handle was not going back in the bin. It says JOURNEYMAN on one side.
As it turned out I had pulled this double bit head out of my pile a while back. It was in such poor shape I sandblasted it and then it had been sitting around my bench for several months (just waiting for this handle). I don’t remember where I originally got this head or how long I’ve had it (I’ve got a drawer full of this type of wood tools I’ve had for decades).



I’ll say now that I don’t consider myself a collector so much as a user which is why I’ll sandblast some of these old tools. I fully intend to do some serious chopping with this baby. NOTE: Key word “Intend”.



So round, so firm, so fully packed this baby is about 9” long with 5 1/2” bits! I’ve got a couple double bit felling axes but only one of these. In it’s day it would be used for swamping out all the low brush around a tree that was to be felled, debarking areas where you needed to hammer wedges and any general chopping. One side has a rounder edge for dirty work while the other has a sharper angle kept special for only serious cutting. Sadly, in my day you might bury one edge into a big gnarly stump, lay a stretch of cable across the top blade and come down on it hard with a sledge hammer to sever the cable. There is a special dedicated tool for this but often enough an ax was used. Thankfully this Walters Black Diamond avoided this kind of abuse.






I still need to sharpen it but a generous coating of BLO will hold it for now.

Very nice !

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I was in a local mercantile store that had a hardware section where I found this nice little 28” hickory handle for a double bit ax. Looking at it you could see it had been passed over for a long time as it didn’t have a very fresh appearance like all the other handles and the $3.98 price tag confirmed it was old stock. Even if I didn’t have a head at home this handle was not going back in the bin. It says JOURNEYMAN on one side.
As it turned out I had pulled this double bit head out of my pile a while back. It was in such poor shape I sandblasted it and then it had been sitting around my bench for several months (just waiting for this handle). I don’t remember where I originally got this head or how long I’ve had it (I’ve got a drawer full of this type of wood tools I’ve had for decades).



I’ll say now that I don’t consider myself a collector so much as a user which is why I’ll sandblast some of these old tools. I fully intend to do some serious chopping with this baby. NOTE: Key word “Intend”.



So round, so firm, so fully packed this baby is about 9” long with 5 1/2” bits! I’ve got a couple double bit felling axes but only one of these. In it’s day it would be used for swamping out all the low brush around a tree that was to be felled, debarking areas where you needed to hammer wedges and any general chopping. One side has a rounder edge for dirty work while the other has a sharper angle kept special for only serious cutting. Sadly, in my day you might bury one edge into a big gnarly stump, lay a stretch of cable across the top blade and come down on it hard with a sledge hammer to sever the cable. There is a special dedicated tool for this but often enough an ax was used. Thankfully this Walters Black Diamond avoided this kind of abuse.






I still need to sharpen it but a generous coating of BLO will hold it for now.




catongw, I had a couple of those single bit axes with the sunken cheeks back when I was young and dumb. I really liked the big one for splitting firewood. Sadly I moved in a hurry and left them stuck into my chopping block. Axes were so plentiful in those days.

​

That is a great find. I have been looking for a few good handles lately and can not find a thing that is hickory or straight. And the price is great. Plus a Black Diamond to boot. You came out smelling like a tree. lol

 

[Cleave]

Here's the latest find - a nice broad (hewing) hatchet. Handle is cracked and needs replacement. But what is the make? The logo didn't print deeply enough to read the whole thing.

Also, I'm rehandling a few axes for a local Christian camp - a few generic ones plus Simmons and American Axe double bits. I also got them a couple fiberglass handle splitting mauls as that's really what they need.

 

[Outlawmws]

Possibly Armand Hammer? (anvil...)

Those were made by many different makers, and most, if not all, have Hardened steel inserts on the flat side and the hammer face (not uncommonly chipped...) I have at least a dozen of these, blade width fro 3-1/4" to 6"

I like putting on a 24 to 28" handle on these for light ax work. Once a good edge is achived, they stay shrp a long time unless abseiled.

 

[Outlawmws]

Might have found it:

Hardware Buyers Association - Seal with "The Riverside Tool Co. New York" around the Outside, and an Anvil at Center
Registered by Samuel A. Bigelow, identified as a "Trustee" of the Association. First use by Mr. Bigelow and predecessors listed as William L. Carrigan, Charles W. Gause, and Harry C. Marshall. Listed as Tool Handles for Axes, Hatchets, Hammers and Chisels.

Re-registered under TM #063889 on 7/9/1907 for Edge Tools including Axes**, Hatchets**, Chisels**, Saws**, Bits**, Boring Tools, Augers**, Snips

 

[Cleave]

Might have found it:

I'd say that's the one! Thanks for the research, I didn't know where to look.
I have one about the same size with a short hatchet handle, and one a bit larger I hung on about a 28" homemade handle.

 

[2oolhound]

You came out smelling like a tree.

I've got to remember this line! Love it! and thanks for the comps guys.

 

[craftsman creep]

This is the first time I’ve ever restored something

 

[crguy]

Picked up this J. F. Richards axe. Great etch!

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Picked up this J. F. Richards axe. Great etch!

That is sweet. Do you know the history of that double bit?

 

[crguy]

That is sweet. Do you know the history of that double bit?

Didn't do any research on it myself. It's going to a friend that collects axes. He seems to be pretty pleased.

 

[bdbecker]

I recently picked up this trio at a garage sale. Top to bottom... Plumb 'Super Scout', Craftsman 'Hatchet Axe' 4801, and Craftsman 'Scout or Hunter' 4857.

No restoration for these as they are in good condition and original. I'm just going to clean them up a little and put them on display.

 

[catongw]

I recently picked up this trio at a garage sale. Top to bottom... Plumb 'Super Scout', Craftsman 'Hatchet Axe' 4801, and Craftsman 'Scout or Hunter' 4857.

No restoration for these as they are in good condition and original. I'm just going to clean them up a little and put them on display.

Nice pick up. I picked up a trio also . But no name brands far as I can tell yet.

 

[Adam in Weatherford]

Anyone know anything about this axe? It's my dad's. $5 garage sale find. No marks on the head visible. Handle is marked LITTLE GIANT.

 

[catongw]

Anyone know anything about this axe? It's my dad's. $5 garage sale find. No marks on the head visible. Handle is marked LITTLE GIANT.

That thing is wicked looking . I know that doesn't help but Google lens says it's a bill hook brush axe. Never seen one like that .

 

[alireza_64]

is this a real true temper axe , the shine made me skeptical

 

[alireza_64]

That thing is wicked looking . I know that doesn't help but Google lens says it's a bill hook brush axe. Never seen one like that

same here , im questioning its authenticity , since its so shiny , looks like chrome

 

[alireza_64]

here is another photo of it

 

[bdbecker]

is this a real true temper axe , the shine made me skeptical

It looks real. The shape and text stampings appear to be correct when referencing other pics available online.

The shine is from sanding and buffing - some guys will polish an axe to a mirror finish, making the axe look almost as if it was dipped in chrome. Not really my personal preference, but to each his own.

 

[alireza_64]

It looks real. The shape and text stampings appear to be correct when referencing other pics available online.

The shine is from sanding and buffing - some guys will polish an axe to a mirror finish, making the axe look almost as if it was dipped in chrome. Not really my personal preference, but to each his own.

for a 100 bucks is it worth purchasing?

 

[bdbecker]

for a 100 bucks is it worth purchasing?

That price seems high to me... take a look at eBay and see if you can find any comparable axes to see how they are priced.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The axe is real. That is their 1940's marking. I am guessing it's a 4-lber. You're not showing the handle, but I am guessing 36" with a fawn's foot. As @bdbecker alluded to, some guys like to do that to an axe. Without casting any aspersions, often the same kinds of guys who then want to charge $100 for it in resale as if the mirror finish can somehow elevate its value. But unless I am missing something - and if I am, I am sure someone will step in and clarify, that is not a collectible vintage axe, it's a very common vintage axe. Value and prices for users vary by region and venue. I see TrueTemper Kelly Works axes at flea markets for $5 to $20, depending on condition.

One last comment. It's possible the owner thinks it's a WWII jeep axe. The marking is correct. I don't think it's the right pattern (Dayton), though. It's close. Hard to tell from here. Looks a little too wide and splayed, like a Connecticut. If it is a 4-lb Dayton pattern, that could possibly explain the price. But the seller would've included all that in his ad.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Stihls splitting axe

 

[alireza_64]

The axe is real. That is their 1940's marking. I am guessing it's a 4-lber. You're not showing the handle, but I am guessing 36" with a fawn's foot. As @bdbecker alluded to, some guys like to do that to an axe. Without casting any aspersions, often the same kinds of guys who then want to charge $100 for it in resale as if the mirror finish can somehow elevate its value. But unless I am missing something - and if I am, I am sure someone will step in and clarify, that is not a collectible vintage axe, it's a very common vintage axe. Value and prices for users vary by region and venue. I see TrueTemper Kelly Works axes at flea markets for $5 to $20, depending on condition.

One last comment. It's possible the owner thinks it's a WWII jeep axe. The marking is correct. I don't think it's the right pattern (Dayton), though. It's close. Hard to tell from here. Looks a little too wide and splayed, like a Connecticut. If it is a 4-lb Dayton pattern, that could possibly explain the price. But the seller would've included all that in his ad

handle has been changed but for size comparison im attaching the image

 

[Private Lugnutz]

handle has been changed

And striped like a tiger's tail, apparently - further evidencing the seller as a gussy-upper.

but for size comparison im attaching the image

Here it is copied, re-oriented and placed (Pic 1) next to bonafide WWII jeep axes. The pattern is close - but again, I am doubtful.

 

[2oolhound]

Anyone know anything about this axe? It's my dad's. $5 garage sale find. No marks on the head visible. Handle is marked LITTLE GIANT.

Hey Adam, that is very unusual. How about posting a photo from the top down and maybe one from the other side. I'm curious if the hook is bent around.

...and also, Welcome to GJ!

 

[Adam in Weatherford]

Hey Adam, that is very unusual. How about posting a photo from the top down and maybe one from the other side. I'm curious if the hook is bent around.

...and also, Welcome to GJ!