Maine-made axes
Here’s a photo of my two favorite axe heads. The top one is one that I managed to find a few years ago; an original Emerson and Stevens, made in Oakland, Maine. This is the axe head that Geoff Burke sent to Sweden when Gransfors Bruks needed a template of a good American felling axe. They based their design on it. I haven’t used it, and am thinking about giving it to my son when he’s old enough, and good enough with the axe, to appreciate it.
The bottom axe I got from Don Merchant at Pole And Paddle Canoe. He used it for a few years before entrusting me with it. It was made by the John King Axe Company, also from Oakland, Maine. After a bit of research, I think it was made in the early 1940’s. The steel’s ability to hold an edge is amazing. I have it on a 30″ handle that Don carved.
I’ve got others, including some vintage Snow And Neally’s (Bangor, Maine – are you seeing the trend?), and some with no name on them. I’ve spoken with several people about axes recently. My advice to them, and to anyone looking for a good axe is to give Don a call before you buy a new one. He usually has a few old ones in stock, and if they don’t have a handle he can carve one and hang it for you.
Lastly, always keep in mind that whatever tool you have, it’s the user that makes it work.
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Hi Tim
I enjoy reading your posts. Although my skills at Bushcraft leave much to be desired, I enjoy canoe camping best when I use my wood canvas Chestnut Pal and my old Duluth packs, out on the trail alone. I have found a few nice ax heads at tag sales here in Connecticut, one real nice one and a few duds and a good friend gave me his Snow and Nealley cruiser ax at a spot along a Quebec Lake I’ll never forget just cause he saw I admired it so much and the time was right.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I look forward to reading them.
Robin Lauer
Norfolk, CT
Thanks for reading, Robin. And hang on to that Snow And Neally.
I won’t claim to be as knowledgable about axes as you are, Tim. What I claim to be is a pac-rat, I tend to hang onto everything that comes my way. I have accumulated several axes over my lifetime so far; a True Temper single bit with a 36 inch handle – never cared for it, the taper is too thick from the edge towards the back, it reminds me of a US military surplus hand ax. I have a hudson bay axe by Norlund and a few more by Collins.
My favorite one is a Cruiser model from Colllings, I carry it everywhere I go when afield.
What are your thoughts on double-bit axes?
Cheers
Patric
Tennessee
I’ve never used a double bit axe for more than a few minutes, but they have their benefits; two blades ground differently for different jobs. I have one in the barn, but have never put a handle on it. I’ve got a 3/4 size Norlund – got it before they became popular. I bet the True Temper, if you thinned the cheek, would be a good one, but only if it’s name is stamped into the steel. One of these days I’m going to shoot a short axe video covering how to find a good old axe head and how to treat the handle to make it last.
Thanks for reading and commenting.