Kelly Handmade

jaymack9100 · Jul 20, 2019

I picked this up from the basement of my fathers house. Some mushrooming on the butt, but i estimate that it's 1 1/4 inch thick. I figure it's at least as old as I am, so over 55 years. I have seen Kelly Handmade axes here, but never a Jersey Pattern. Just a couple questions:

- History? How old is it? Where in US was it made?
- Is it rare?
- would you clean and recondition the head and put a new axe handle on it, or would you keep it as is?

Thanks

ScottB65 · Jul 20, 2019

I've never seen one with raised letters. A knock off? I'll let more knowledgeable folks chime it.

Yankee Josh · Jul 20, 2019

jaymack9100 said:
I picked this up from the basement of my fathers house. Some mushrooming on the butt, but i estimate that it's 1 1/4 inch thick. I figure it's at least as old as I am, so over 55 years. I have seen Kelly Handmade axes here, but never a Jersey Pattern. Just a couple questions:

- History? How old is it? Where in US was it made?
- Is it rare?
- would you clean and recondition the head and put a new axe handle on it, or would you keep it as is?

Thanks

It's definitely a real Kelly handmade! I've seen many with raised letters but I haven't, however, seen many Jersey patterns such as yours. It's a beautiful axe! It appears that the helve is in pretty good shape so if it were mine i would reuse it. While the head is off just run a wire cup brush over it and then oil it to bring out the patina.
And a great story to boot! If you look at the "yesteryears tools" website that will give you a quick rundown on the locations and times of the illustrious Kelly axe & tool co. There are also some good threads on this forum too. You have a beautiful axe sir! And welcome!

ithinkverydeeply · Jul 20, 2019

They made those “Kelly Hand Made” at all three plants but it looks like the raised letters were on the earlier ones.

Which rendition of the logo do you think yours is?

ScottB65 · Jul 20, 2019

Cool!

Yankee Josh · Jul 20, 2019

jaymack9100 said:
I picked this up from the basement of my fathers house. Some mushrooming on the butt, but i estimate that it's 1 1/4 inch thick. I figure it's at least as old as I am, so over 55 years. I have seen Kelly Handmade axes here, but never a Jersey Pattern. Just a couple questions:

- History? How old is it? Where in US was it made?
- Is it rare?
- would you clean and recondition the head and put a new axe handle on it, or would you keep it as is?

Thanks

I don't know if that axe belonged to your father or not. If it did never mind! But if not and you are interested in selling it please pm me! I've been on the lookout for a handmade.

Fmont · Jul 20, 2019

ithinkverydeeply said:
They made those “Kelly Hand Made” at all three plants but it looks like the raised letters were on the earlier ones.

Which rendition of the logo do you think yours is?

Looks like the top right to me

ETA: I change my guess to top middle. The E at the end of made is square

garry3 · Jul 20, 2019

ithinkverydeeply said:
They made those “Kelly Hand Made” at all three plants but it looks like the raised letters were on the earlier ones.

Which rendition of the logo do you think yours is?

None of them are a match. Nice old Kelly though...

junkenstien · Jul 21, 2019

Hasn’t been that long since someone’s scratched on the edge I hope it never sees a bench grinder.

LastLooseEnd 5.9 · Jul 21, 2019

Grind all that crap off the side to slick it up and slap a 36” straight handle in it and it would make a find splitter with a 10lb sledge to drive it two man style.....

Jk
Very nice kelly axe! I’ve been keeping my eyes pealed for a “Kelly hand made” local but my coworker seems to snag them all.