Rarest axe ever made?

Triton said:
This. To steal a thought from Bernard Levine, truly rare things are rarely valuable because there is no market for them.
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Or they're so rare that they're priceless, because there's no prior data to base value on, and/or most people don't even know it exists.

Meanwhile, common economy axes like Norlunds get an inflated value simply because some modern day, well-known, self-professed "experts" declared them to be the best axes ever, despite them having been hang-packaged discount models made for outdoor recreationalists. The hype leads to demand, and demand leads to inflated prices, despite the relatively low grade and commonplace nature of the models from an actual rarity standpoint.
 
We also don't know what the original intent of the initial post was- it might not be driven by interest in money, or collecting.
It might be one of those "how fast is a penny traveling just before it hits the ground if I threw it off the Empire State Building?" kinds of questions.

Edit: I figured I'd just go ahead and figure out my very own question... Integrating assuming the penny was dropped, not thrown, and assuming no air drag, 208 miles per hour. Terminal velocity is far less than that, however, somewhere around 50 MPH if conditions are right.
 
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Brent Halverson said:
Those interested in the monetary value or rarity of an axe are my least favorite, those interested in using axes and hatchets and old tools for working wood and who are interested in history are my most favorite. I can't think of any good reason to be interested in the rarity or monetary value of an old tool.
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People who run their mouth when everyone would be better served if they kept it shut are my least favorite. If you haven't anything positive to add, why not keep it to yourself.
Your last sentence demonstrates a complete and utter ignorance on your behalf. Not to mention belittling the OP who may never ask another question for fear of brash, small minded idiot's like you.
If you don't care about value or rarity than why in TF did you comment in this thread, asking about rarity and value!
Just to say something nasty and insulting, that's why.
So touche MFer.
 
Yankee Josh said:
This is such a tough question to answer as has been said! The rarest is one we don't know about, naturally.
I think the rarest American axe pattern is probably, maybe, the Hoosier. Though there are other patterns I have never seen an example of, so the statement seems empty. See? Lol.
I'll share a few of the rarest axes I own.
I attached two Hoosiers. Hopefully you can view them. First post using the new format.
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Also you'll see a very clean Fulton Clipper etched axe. Made by Kelly, almost certainly in Alexandria, Indiana.
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And as was mentioned above a 2-1/2lb Jersey pattern. Lugged boys axes are very uncommon.
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However, this 4lb Isaiah Blood and its 1-1/4lb counterpart feel like the rarest axes I own. They were made
In the mid 1800's.
jNK1Cxb.jpg

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I realize you didn't ask;
"What are the rarest axes you own"?
But I thought these would illustrate how even the "rarest" of axes can be in someone's collection, thereby disqualifying them from being the rarest axes. Ha.
I think hands down the rarest category are the new old stock axes. Paper labels, original paint, original haft and factory hang (if it's hung) etc. From the early 20th century and prior.
Similar to this Warren Axe & Tool Co fire axe;
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Now I'm remembering I should've shared my pioneer by Emerson Stevens.
Not nos by any means, but only 1 of 2 known to exist;
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Okay I'll stop now. Haha.
So I suppose none of these can be considered the rarest, but they are rare indeed.
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Oh it's you from Instagram haha. Sorry I'm late but I haven't checked in here in a while. Thanks for the info on the rare axes man. BTW I really liked those big pitted 1800s double bits you posted on insta back in November.
 
I don't know how rare they are but I've only found one other Legitimus 5lb rafting axe like mine. Not sure if it's really rare or just none left after hard use.
 
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