Since my property burnt a few years ago, I have had to cut down 100s of trees and chopped them up for firewood. This caused me to buy several modern axes to help in making firewood and getting a little exercise in. This has progressed into an interest of antique axes, so I just bought a couple:



The one on the right is a Zenith Double Bit has been marked repeatedly with FS for United States Forest Service dating to 1910.

On the left is a Clean Cut hatchet Sold by Dunham, Carrigan & Hayden Company, who were the leading supplier of wholesale hardware and mining supplies out of San Francisco between 1888 to 1927.

I think they are cool and will get used... anyone else collect axes?

Love old tools!

"Give a man a knife and he can survive, give a man an axe and he can live like a king."

Been working on my own 6 pound flathead axe, lately.

I've got one old double but that was my father's. I really don't know how old it is and I've never looked for any markings on it. I'll have to get it out and look at it.

I wouldn't say collect as much as hold on to.

I have these so haven't gone looking for more.

Blue Grass pick/axe


True Temper double bit (I think this head is called a Kelly Perfect) - needs a new handle, just haven't made the time.


Unmarked double bit (head type is Michigan?)


Plumb single bit

I also have an old hatchet head that is just marked U.S. no other markings at all. Some say WWI and some say WWII. I've seen them described as Civil War era but I doubt it's that old. I'm thinking WWI since most of the WWII hatchets were made by Plumb and either marked as such or had the branch of military that they were made for stamped in them. I really have no idea and haven't done anything to find more information other than a quick Google search.

This one has brass pins inserted in the blade. They go all the way through. Have no idea about it, except came from far N.E. Was hand forged.

That is cool! ^^^^^^. Let me know if you ever wish to sell.

I have a few hatchets as well... Among them are Plumb Boy Scout & Carpenter models, One from Craftsman, Shipleigh and Vaughn and a couple that are unmarked. I had a W German 1 1/2lb but let it go to my son. As you can see they don't get much use either. Where I live now I only have two trees and they are both about 2-3" in diameter at the base.