Axe marked SWEDEN. No other markings. Not thin but rather thick!

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
923
Hi all,

I recently found a nice conditon single bit Axe Head marked SWEDEN. I see no other markings (Crowns, etc). This Axe Head is UN-like the two other (made in Sweden) Hatchets I bought this Summer being MUCH thicker (more like an American made Axe design). The Head weights about two pounds (if memory serves).
Are there a lot of other Swedish Axe makers besides GB and HB ? I may never know who made this Axe but, it is marked SWEDEN. I figured it was worth the four dollars I paid for it as this Axe Head is in VERY good condtion! Cool, I now own three Swedish Axes (all found this Summer) a GB Wildlife Hatchet, a HB Hatchet and now.....a mystery Swedish Axe Head.

HARDBALL
 
I tend to find quite a few mystery Swedes here too. I recollect finding a Sater Banko, one Wetterlings, and three or four mysteries like yours. I'd like to believe Sweden has at least four or five axe companies beyond Granfors and the others, but who knows. Have fun!

Edit: One Sandvik too.
 
Does it look like the head once had paint on it? Maybe a sticker? It might be from one of the bigger forges, but not branded with their name so another company could resale it as their own. Are the cheeks flat or convex?
 
Hello CrazyO,

Ha! I didn't realize you were here in Maine! I live in SAGADHOC County. How about you ?
Cool you also found some nice Swedes as well. Oooh, I completely forgot about Wetterlings of Sweden and I have also heard of Banko. I too hope you have been having fun collecting items this Summer as well. I have become a LOT more "selective" now that I have more Axes than I know what to do with. Still, I'd like to find a "pristine" condition HUDSON BAY Axe. I recently found a nice condition S&N Hudson Bay Axe Head. This past weekend, I found a very nice condition PLUMB single bit, a WINCHESTER Axe Head and, the (aforementioned) SWEDEN Axe Head. Oooh yea, I also found another "mystery" Axe Head. I can't find any markings whatsoever on this Mystery Axe. Perhaps after more Vinegar soaking some markings will appear. I've also found about thirty or so old Carbon Knives this Summer. One of which turns out to be somewhere around 130-140 years old! It's very cool! It's a vintage L.E. WOOD CUTLERY CO. NORTH HAMPTON MASS. It has three pins, a poured Pewter Bolster, about a six inch Butcher type blade and is in overall outstanding condition! I can't afford to buy new EXPENSIVE knives so, I'm very happy that I have a STRONG liking for older (mostly INexpensive) Carbon knives. It's been a FUN Summer!

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Hardball, I have a few kitchen knifes that are around $100. They are of japan manufacture, my favorite is a carbon steel one. It's modest for what some can bring.
That being said I also have a weakness for the old carbon steel kitchen knifes. I picked a Green river up this summer that very well might have made the trip on the Oregon trail. Some of those old carbon knifes do a really good job, and for cheap. Seems the older ones will have tapered tangs. Good workmanship.
 
Probably the number of axe makers in Sweden would be difficult to count. Of course the number of them that also exported to USA would be smaller but I am still coming across previously not known, (to me), makers. It must be remembered that the connection in the metal industry between Sweden and the US is historical and goes way back. After all it was a Swede who manufactured the famous civil war battleship Monitor, the first iron navy ship, for the US navy.

Garry3, I thought I saw a Green River knife in a picture of yours, These are great knives, new or not with very old origins.



On the left the Green River bought new. Next to it the old US army civil war era potato peeler made by Lamson and you notice the taper hammered tang.


Three knives, the top, with the scrimshaw, is a distant cousin because it came out of an old well in the center of Amsterdam. Then the old Lamson and the new Green River. Of the three the Green River takes the keenest edge - a good bacon cutter.

E.DB.
 
Ernest DuBois said:
Probably the number of axe makers in Sweden would be difficult to count. Of course the number of them that also exported to USA would be smaller but I am still coming across previously not known, (to me), makers. It must be remembered that the connection in the metal industry between Sweden and the US is historical and goes way back. After all it was a Swede who manufactured the famous civil war battleship Monitor, the first iron navy ship, for the US navy.
Click to expand...

And the Monitor heel on North Wayne Tool Co. blades from the 40's onwards were named after the same ship! My near-mint Earle Special bush blade has an image of it on the decal. :)

Sweden exported a crap ton of both self-branded and contracted OEM edged tools under the names of various domestic companies. Banko made scythe blades for Craftsman, for instance. Examples I've seen of Swedish production items for the US scythe market have been varied in their style--some are Swedish in form, and others are a facsimile of classic American patterns.

All scythe related info rather than axe, but it still applies, I think.
 
Hi all,

JP, I have the Axe Head in a Vinegar bath at this time but, I will check more closely and let you know regarding your questions. I would say the Cheeks are much more Convex than say my GB Wildlife Hatchet.
Also, the area around the Eyes is VERY thick, like an old S&N Axe Head. Garry, yep, I LOVE finding/buying old Carbon knives! I Traded/Swapped away some really neat older Knives for a Custom
(Period Correct) circa 1800's Dutch style Knife (being made for me soon) like this : http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2009/10/dutch-flamand-knife-with-sheath-by-ken.html
I continue to collect as many old Carbon knives I can find as long as they are not too expensive. I would love to find a Big ol' Green River Knife, nice find Garry on that one. I too think some are quite well made.
Ern, thanks for that History on the Swedish Steel and the Monitor. I did not know that information. Very cool. Oooh (pun intended) I DIG that Potato peeler knife! FTB, package should go out to you tomorrow.

HARDBALL
 
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