Ames True Temper True American axes are rough looking new

R

Ripshin Lumberjack

Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
120
I just came from Harbor Freight and looked at some of the Rough Neck axes by Ames True Temper and they certainly were rough under all the paint. The axe heads had not been refined at all. However, the label says made in the USA. That says a lot! Trying to compete with cheaper foreign labor will give less quality in appearance.

The handles were kind of clunky feeling when I grasped the handles. Also, the bit area was thick and needed to be worked down to thinner dimensions. Of course this is nothing new to us, as we all have filed and ground axes to better dimensions.

I am curious to see if the Ames True Temper-True Value Axes are of this same quality.

Anyone else have any experience with these axes?

Ripshin
 
Yes!!! This is the axe! And 2-3 other models. The good old vintage axes are still my favorites. Competition back in the day sure did give the axe man some high quality choices.
Let us hope that Ames True Temper True American gives us a more attractive axe in the future. I do like the fact that these axes are made here in the USA.

ripshin
 
About a year ago they were quite different and looked like they were made by Truper in Mexico never have seen them in Harbor Freight. Here HF has Collins/Mex.
 
Mine are rough but inexpensive. I had to sort through a lot to get good handles.
 
RICKOFF said:
About a year ago they were quite different and looked like they were made by Truper in Mexico never have seen them in Harbor Freight. Here HF has Collins/Mex.
Click to expand...

Here Hf has their own central forge brand made in India, and my hatchet holds and takes a great edge.
Not sure if this is normal, but it really is a good tool for 10$.
 
RICKOFF said:
Agent, is that head upside down?
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Many of these produced axe heads have swept toes like this one... one of the theories is that they are taking some of the characteristics of the modern Dayton pattern, and that when it is used like a splitter, the toe is often the first point of contact when striking... but just a theory...

Peace, Rooster
 
Ripshin Lumberjack said:
...Let us hope that Ames True Temper True American gives us a more attractive axe in the future. I do like the fact that these axes are made here in the USA.

ripshin
Click to expand...

It looks like Ames True Temper no longer lists axes on their website, so the "True American" brand axes that are currently in stores could be the last of them. They were made at the Ames True Temper "Striking Tool Plant" in Falls City, Nebraska. They might now be making axes only for other labels (like Roughneck).

An article from 2014 says that the factory employs 23 people, and was slated for closure in 2013, but Ames True Temper changed its mind and the factory was kept running. Here's hoping that they keep producing axes there beyond 2016.

AmesFilePhoto.gif

from http://www.fcjournal.net/index.php/local/2613-ames-to-remain-open
 
The stamp on the True-American looks jut like the mark Woodings-Verona used on their axes. Maybe the same tooling.

Axe%20Verona%20Woodings%20Jersery%20008_zpsvutxw5wj.jpg


Ah! A query turned up a previous thread on this.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1023505-True-Temper-True-American

From 'An Axe To Grind": Ames/Woodings-Verona manufactures quality striking tools, including axes and hatchets. Woodings-Verona is a division of the much larger Ames Company.
 
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Agent_H said:


This is what the local Bi-Mart carries.
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That looks much better than what the local Lowes was selling a few years ago. The true American axes were so rough the trupers and cobalts looked like boutique axes next to them...

Also, I don't think the head is upside down, as the toe is forward of the heel as it should be. Rooster's theory is as good as any. For a while I noticed that all the trupers had their toes ground down to where they looked used when new, even the little carpenters axe/half hatchet, which was hung right side up for sure! More toe is better than less in my opinion :), although it looks odd especially if one is used to the Michigan pattern...
 
BG_Farmer said:
...I noticed that all the trupers had their toes ground down to where they looked used when new, even the little carpenters axe/half hatchet, which was hung right side up for sure! More toe is better than less in my opinion :)...
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The latest incarnations of Husqvarna axes have a "pre-worn toe" from the factory.
What were they thinking?

h410-0900.ashx
 
Steve Tall said:
The latest incarnations of Husqvarna axes have a "pre-worn toe" from the factory.
What were they thinking?

h410-0900.ashx
Click to expand...

I've seen 'Made in India' axes that look worn out from the start. My guess is that they did some 'online research' to find out what an 'American' axe should look like. Naturally they found lots of pics of worn out axes and decided that was popular in America.

It boggles the mind that Husqvarna could be so stupid.
 
Oh man, made in USA for sure, "proudly" I'm not so sure about.
 
Copied this from their web site.

A more powerful Splitting Axe made for splitting larger logs. The axe head has a non-stick coating which gives less friction and easy entry into the wood and the head geometry is adapted to the splitting application of large logs. Handle protection and long life due to the stainless steel shaft protection. Balance point close to the axe head gives perfect balance and weight distribution. The combination of the optimized axe head and the light shaft concentrates the power into the cut which gives an easier split of the logs. Fiber-reinforced PA shaft makes the axe durable and robust. Hammer function for an easy and effective use of splitting wedges (no steel wedges).

Total weight
6.17 lbs
Length
27.5 in
 
The new Husqvarna "Multi-purpose" axes also come with a short-looking toe:

h410-0896.ashx


The above example is 23.5" length, 3 pound total.
For comparison: True Temper's True American boy's axe (below):

10501164.jpg
 
That's a better comparison than the splitter, I can see the short toe on the splitter but not on the multi purpose axe or hatchet.
 
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