Anyone Collect Axes & Hatchets?

[vikingdog]

" I thought the Collins was a Norlund at first (l love the Norlunds!)"

Collins and Norlund were made by the same company, Mann Edge Tool in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Same axe just stamped Collins.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Collins and Norlund were made by the same company, Mann Edge Tool in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Same axe just stamped Collins.
[/quote]

Can you still visit the old factory in Lewistown? It used to be open to the public, if I recall correctly

[rarefish383]

I just took a quick look at Yesteryears Tools review of The Collins name and it looks like they started up shop in about 1826. They were in South Canton Connecticut from 1826 to 1828, moved to Collinsville Connecticut in 1828 and stayed there till bought out by Mann in 1966. I remember reading before that they came out with the Legitimus Trade mark about 1912 because they never trade marked their name and many other dead beat companies were using the name. I have a Collins Double that my Dad bought new in the 50's and never used it. It's beautiful on one side, but kind of faded on the other where I left it leaning against a shed many years ago. You can still read "Collins Genuine Hickory" printed on the handle. Thank goodness that's not the side that got left facing the sun.

[GSPTOPDOG]

I just took a quick look at Yesteryears Tools review of The Collins name and it looks like they started up shop in about 1826. They were in South Canton Connecticut from 1826 to 1828, moved to Collinsville Connecticut in 1828 and stayed there till bought out by Mann in 1966. I remember reading before that they came out with the Legitimus Trade mark about 1912 because they never trade marked their name and many other dead beat companies were using the name. I have a Collins Double that my Dad bought new in the 50's and never used it. It's beautiful on one side, but kind of faded on the other where I left it leaning against a shed many years ago. You can still read "Collins Genuine Hickory" printed on the handle. Thank goodness that's not the side that got left facing the sun.

I would like to see a photo of that!

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here is a Collins & Co axe with the Crown, Arm and Hammer design. Made in Collinsville, Connecticut. I have been cleaning this one and I will put a handle on it after being sharpened. If anyone can help with a manufacture date (pre 1966 as it was made in Conn) Let me know.

[GSPTOPDOG]

From http://www.yesteryearstools.com/ "During the original life span of the Collins axe making enterprises, the company was located in South Canton / Collinsville, Connecticut but for most of that time they maintained offices in Hartford and later on in New York."

[TPK]

Here is a Collins & Co axe with the Crown, Arm and Hammer design. Made in Collinsville, Connecticut. I have been cleaning this one and I will put a handle on it after being sharpened. If anyone can help with a manufacture date (pre 1966 as it was made in Conn) Let me know.

Cool find! Looks like a real useful axe!

Been looking for a nice old axe on eBay but I haven't found any at a price I wish to pay yet.

Edit: Today was the day.
viewtopic.php?t=46672&start=3375

[GSPTOPDOG]

Cool find! Looks like a real useful axe!
Been looking for a nice old axe on eBay but I haven't found any at a price I wish to pay yet.

I know what you mean, I have bought a few axes from eBay in the past, but not lately, as the prices seem to a little high for me as well.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here is my weekend find; a couple of pocket knives and a rusty 'ol axe.

[vikingdog]

Collins and Norlund were made by the same company, Mann Edge Tool in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Same axe just stamped Collins.

Can you still visit the old factory in Lewistown? It used to be open to the public, if I recall correctly
[/quote]

The factory is long gone. There is housing there now called Mann Place.

[GSPTOPDOG]

The factory is long gone. There is housing there now called Mann Place.
[/quote]

I was looking through my storage box and just pulled out a single bit axe made by Mann Edge Tool in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. I need to sharpen it and put it on a handle, then it and post some photos.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here are a couple of axes I am restoring. Today I am cleaning off the grease and then getting an super sharp edge on them... in theory...
The double bit has an "M" marked on it See the second photo from the top). Anyone familiar with that stamping? Let me know if you are.

[TPK]

Here is my weekend find; a couple of pocket knives and a rusty 'ol axe.

Cool finds Buddy! Congrats! What kind of Trapper is that?

[TPK]

Here are a couple of axes I am restoring. Today I am cleaning off the grease and then getting an super sharp edge on them... in theory...
The double bit has an "M" marked on it See the second photo from the top). Anyone familiar with that stamping? Let me know if you are.

Brings up the question, how do you sharpen an axe anyways? I have never done it before but there should be an older Ochsenkopf on it's way to me so I'll have to learn how to do it I guess.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here is my weekend find; a couple of pocket knives and a rusty 'ol axe.

Cool finds Buddy! Congrats! What kind of Trapper is that?

Thanks! The trapper is a More Maker (made by Queen) a company out of Matador Texas.

[TPK]

Here is my weekend find; a couple of pocket knives and a rusty 'ol axe.

Cool finds Buddy! Congrats! What kind of Trapper is that?

Thanks! The trapper is a More Maker (made by Queen) a company out of Matador Texas.

Very cool find!

[GSPTOPDOG]

It is best to sharpen it with on a belt grinder, if it is very dull, if not so dull there is a round sharping stone that looks like a hockey puck and is made especially for axe blades, that works well.

[rarefish383]

Do a search for, "An axe to grind". It's an old US Forestry how to movie on hanging and sharpening axes.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Do a search for, "An axe to grind". It's an old US Forestry how to movie on hanging and sharpening axes.

I am going to look for "An axe to grind". I am always trying to to become better at sharpening and for sure I'm no expert on sharpening, I have a really good book on sharpening every kind of blade....I just wish I could sharpen like a pro....

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here is my old the Kelly Axe & Tool Co. carpenter's hatchet. The company was located in a different states at various times. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY,
ALEXANDRIA, INDIANA (Kelly Axe Mfg. Co.)
CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (Business Offices)
(Kelly Axe & Tool Co.)
The company remained in Alexandria until 1904 when they again relocated; that time to Charleston, West Virginia. Part of the justification for the move was a more promising supply of natural gas which had become the company's major fuel used in the axe making factories.

This axe was most likely made before 1930.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here are a couple I am painting the handles as the dry weather here is hard on the wood. On some of my favorite ones I will continue to apply linseed oil but sometimes it is just easer to paint the handles when the collection starts growing so big...

[rarefish383]

Dang it, I just lost two posts trying to drag multiple pics. I'll just do one at a time and see if that works for now. Picked up 4, one nice Elwell, made in England, 3 rather common local axes, one double and two single, Joe.

[rarefish383]

I think I've got it again. Here's a better pic of the Elwell logo.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Nice score!!! I was just thinking about axes from England and how I never see them around where I live. Thanks for the post!

[GSPTOPDOG]

My Craftsman Carpenter's hatchet.