Need help/info about this axe I brought back to life.

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ForAFewDollarsMore

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Aug 14, 2012
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3
So I was sent here from the Canadian Gun Nuts Forum and was told some of you guys might be able to help me out.
I bought this axe from my cousin that he was going to get rid. It was in poor shape and I got it looking decent with just a wire brush that hooks up to my drill, a file, a stone, some oil and wax.

My uncle bought it most likely around 1965-1970. Both my uncles and cousin chopped cords and cords of wood with it. It has been in use a great great deal according to my cousin.

Anyways I would like to find about it more. Hopefully you guys don't mind helping.
Any infomation AT ALL would be great.

Thx alot.



IMG_20120808_093233.jpg

This is a before picture.

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Another before picture.

IMG_20120814_183248.jpg

Current axe after some elbow grease.

IMG_20120814_183214.jpg

is the SN or NS the blacksmith. If so would that still mean its from China.

IMG_20120814_183310.jpg

looks to me like made in China, company is Diamond. So it looks like anyways.

IMG_20120814_183327.jpg

the number 3 is that the weight of the axe??
 
Welcome to the forum :)

If your uncle bought it in 65 or 70. I doupt that it's 'made in china', but I could be wrong.
And yes, the 3 is for the weight of the head.
 
d e l e t e
I can't find a diamond trademark for Snow and Nealley, and I have seen Steve Tall's Chinese diamond brand. Then too, S&Ns have apparently been made in China since the early 2000s anyway.
If it is Chinese, it isn't necessarily a bad axe, and it looks like it's survived some hard use. If it's got enough family history, it doesn't even matter if it is a bad axe.
 
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Today at a "vintage tools" store, I saw a box with a bunch of splitting mauls with the Diamond brand, made in China. Not definitive proof regarding your axe, though.
 
Can you tell what is stamped underneath "Diamond?" Were you saying that says "Made in China?"
 
I know I am crazy late into this discussion but thought I'd put in my two bits in case someone else stumbles into this discussion wondering the same.
Ive been collecting old axes for a while now (using ALL of my 40 plus as well) Once you've been around enough good steel you just know the feel and the resonating ring of good steel. Nothing rings better than my early 20s Plumbs and my 1940s Wetterling EX. They are pure gold. I also happen to own a nice condition old looking pattern that has a clear Diamond stamp - made in China. I have yet to handle this head, but I can tell you, it rings as true as anything in my collection. I would bet my life it is great quality steel.
My thoughts are, how long has China been making crap tools out of inferior steel, since the dawn of time? I doubt it. I personally think that North Americas lust for quantity over quality is to blame. Pre Walmart, there were very few goods coming from China into our world. And I highly doubt that 60-80 years ago that Chinese tools were so inferior to ours. I bet that old axes and other tools were just as good as ours. There is another Chinese axe maker with a deer on the stamp, I dont know the name. I came across one some time ago and unfortunately the owner of the antique store I found it in was not present and there was no price on the axe head, so I was unable to buy it. But it rang as sweet as any good Swedish steel.
I think there is value in keeping an open mind about Chinese axes and tools when they are old. I don't believe China has always produced junk. I wouldn't touch anything made there in the last 50 years. But the old stuff I believe much of it is good. Looking very forward to hanging and sharpening my own diamond axe. The bit is shaped to my liking, its heavy and sounds like a good Hults Bruk when struck lightly with a metal object. - Keep an open mind on anything that is truly old. Paul in Canada :)
 
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