Anyone Collect Axes & Hatchets?

FRJ · Post by **FRJ** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 1:36 am

Dx, that thing is a beauty. Thanks for showing it off.
How do you restore yours?

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 2:45 am

Thanks Dale. I sent you a PM about them. Wait til you see it after it's bath Joe.

dx313 · Post by **dx313** » Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:59 pm

Dale, this particular Kelly Puget Sound Felling axe came from Northern California, in a town called McCloud.

Joe, you can refer to page 11 for how I generally do my restorations. You can also feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions (this goes for anyone).

Mike, it's not quite finished yet, but it is coming along!

This big boy took the longest vinegar bath I've ever had to give an axe. Total time in vinegar was 96 hours (24 hour increments, twice on each side). After each 24 hour rotation, I took the axe out, wiped it down, then wire brushed each side. The vinegar removed most of the rust (a small amount of residual rust remains in the pits). This was the most disappointing part for me, as the vinegar revealed a fairly large amount of pitting, especially on the back side.

From this point, I had to decide how to move forward, and I spoke to the "original" owner about this. He told me I could finish it however I want (I gave him multiple options). We decided together that I am going to leave the pitting as it now sits, as it will show its original character. I will take the next few days to work on other projects, and then decide what type of finish and top-coat I would like to put on it. Its new handle will be ordered soon, and I've decided to hang this axe on a 44" oak handle. Anyways, sorry for the long story. Here are the pictures!

Jared

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Wed Feb 12, 2014 12:42 am

Looks good to me Jared! It's going to be a beauty when it finished.

FRJ · Post by **FRJ** » Wed Mar 05, 2014 8:13 pm

[quote="Joe, could you snap a picture of that Collins factory sometime?[/quote]

Here you go, Mike.
I finally made it to the old Collins factory today. I believe there were more buildings than we see here.
It wasn't the best day for pictures but this is what I came away with.

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Thu Mar 06, 2014 1:56 am

Great photos Joe! I didn't think there would be that much left. I'm going to have to do some reading about Collins now.

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:40 am

Some recent finds from the flea market last Sunday. From the left a Fulton, a Sears Boys Axe, an unmarked one. Fulton was made by Sears in their own axe factory in Chicago until the 20s when they started using the Craftsman name. I have to do a little work on the Fulton then put the handle back on.

FRJ · Post by **FRJ** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 2:05 am

Nice stuff Mike. They all look great.

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:41 am

Thank you Joe.

gino · Post by **gino** » Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:15 pm

Nice pick ups Mike! I cant wait to it warms up so the markets come back around

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:38 am

Thanks Gino, it won't be long now. How far is Glassport from where you live? American Axe and Tool had a big factory there...

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 4:23 pm

...speaking of Americanax in Glassport, PA here is a double bit by them next to a Dunlap head and below, a Hibbards Boys Axe.

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Sun Apr 13, 2014 11:51 pm

A couple odd ones. Top is a bush axe, next a lath hatchet,last a NOS Collins that was given to me by my neighbor whose Dad was the last owner of Mann Edge Tool who owned the Collins name and made them.

Joe, I'm hoping you know something about lath hatchets?

FRJ · Post by **FRJ** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 4:39 am

vikingdog wrote: Top is a bush axe,

Hi Mike, I don't think we should call it a bush axe, that makes the democrats all giddy.

Actually, I think it's called a brush axe.

My take on the lathe hatchet, no matter how inaccurate, is for nailing lath to studs prior to the application of plaster. Lath was nailed about 1/4" apart, or the thickness of the lath itself. The plaster was applied and it would fill that 1/4" space and would virtually lock itself to the lath when dry and more finish coats would provide a very refined and sturdy wall. It was hell for stout. The blade was for chopping lath to length or for refining width.
Very early lath was procured from a very wide thin board 1/4"ish and was split on both ends systematically to
create an accordion effect by nailing the top and pulling it down to spread the board. It was then parged with plaster which often contained horse hair.
This waffle faced hatchet tells me this tool was not around in those days.

Great tools, Mike. That Collins is a real honey.

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:41 am

Ooops, I mean brush axe.

Thank you for the information Joe, that's why you are my go to man!

The lath hatchet is small, fits in your hand so it must have been easy to use and control. I wonder what is the purpose of the waffle facing on the hammer? I've never noticed that before.

Is lath work still done at all or is that something that is long gone? Thanks again Joe.

treefarmer · Post by **treefarmer** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 12:38 pm

Noticed the comment on the bush axe/brush axe. Interesting that here in our part of the country, they are commonly called a "bush hook"

. Still does the job, no matter the name.
Treefarmer

FRJ · Post by **FRJ** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 4:23 pm

Mike, I think treefarmer has us both corrected.

Thank you treefarmer, now that the ol' gray matter is jogged, I believe that is a brush hook.
I've never used one, but after hefting one I was always glad I never had to wield one.

The waffle face just gives a nonslip surface to the hammer face and for rightys provides long lasting reminders on the left hand from errant strikes.

Lath is a long gone practice now. I've been away from job sites now for a while but as I knew it, if you wanted a plaster wall they would hang "blue board" and that would get a plastered finish. That gives you a pretty nice wall/ceiling.

Miller Bro's · Post by **Miller Bro's** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:43 pm

I bought this old Estwing today at a yard sale for a buck

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 12:23 am

Nice snag. I've got one just like it.

Miller Bro's · Post by **Miller Bro's** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 12:29 am

Thanks Mike, I have a couple of them already but I could not leave it behind for only a buck.

I like that unused Collins axe you posted

vikingdog · Post by **vikingdog** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:05 pm

Thanks Dimitri,

He gave me a very old catalog too, I'll post a sample here. Let me know if you want to see the rest. Also I found a Mann fireman's axe head at the flea market today.

Miller Bro's · Post by **Miller Bro's** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:34 pm

vikingdog wrote:He gave me a very old catalog too, I'll post a sample here. Let me know if you want to see the rest.

Yes I would, very interesting information

vikingdog wrote:Also I found a Mann fireman's axe head at the flea market today.

Very nice, I found one several years ago it is in the garage somewhere buried, it was painted red several times I did not want to strip the paint off to see who the manufacturer is, it came with the original handle too that is painted red.