Ideal Name on Axe Handle

[mrkus]

Hi all. Got a 2.5 pound boys axe from my dad to refurbish. It is in great shape but unfortunately no names on the head. However, the axe handle has the name IDEAL on it in silver letters. Does anybody have some information about this?

Thanks!
Markus

 

[screened porch]

IDEAL might refer to the whole ax or just the handle. By looking at the condition of the top of the eye you can sometimes tell if it's been rehung (don't ever bang on an axe with a steel hammer, no matter how frustrated you get).
There used to be a lot of axe makers, who bought each other into a few axe makers but continued to use all of the old brand names, and they all made axes with hardware store and department store brand names. So the brands are hard to keep track of, and an axe was often labeled with paper if at all, and the paper wears off, so an unmarked head is not unusual.
Enjoy the axe, and maybe show us some pictures of how it turns out.

 

[Square_peg]

(don't ever bang on an axe with a steel hammer, no matter how frustrated you get).

I find so many axe heads that have been beat up by someone trying to remove an old handle this way. Drill baby, drill!

.....and an axe was often labeled with paper if at all, and the paper wears off, so an unmarked head is not unusual.

Some of those unmarked big-name axes are the best value out there as far as users go. No real collector value without the famous stamp - but the steel can be just as good. If you find an old unmarked axe with convex cheeks AND ridges in the eye then you've likely got a very good axe.

 

[G-pig]

Ridges, convex cheeks, and often times the weight stamped on the back of the poll, probably means a kelly axe?

 

[mrkus]

Thanks for the info! Square-Peg, don't worry - didn't have to remove old haft as it is in great condition - just rewedged it. Haft length is a thin 23" and axe pattern appears to be a hoosier. Flared at each end and symmetrical.

It has a weight stamped on back of poll, convexed cheeks but no ridges in eye. Will post pics soon. Awesome if it's a kelly.

 

[mrkus]

Here are the pictures. Must admit, first time posting pics so I hope it works.

 

[screened porch]

I think that is a hoosier; I still haven't found one myself. Beautiful axe.

 

[Liam Ryan]

Ideal is the handle, I'd wager. I picked up a boys axe sized handle years ago at a hardware store and it was one of the best I have ever held. It's been on three axes now, and I keep removing it when I find a better axe for it. It finally went to a friend with a nice older style wetterlings 2.5# head on it, along with my first mask I ever made. Still miss them.
The handle said ideal in silver writing, but it was in script, not block letters.