Who owns the quintessential collection of axe literature?

[VintageToolCo]

There's a limited amount of printed literature on axes out there. Anyone have the entire collection? If so, what are they? Can you provide a list?

 

[Ernest DuBois]

In English?

 

[Miller '72]

In English?

 

[Agent_H]

In English?

I'm not above parsing information in a language I don't speak.

One can always ask questions, right?

 

[jblyttle]

The internet.

 

[Steve Tall]

A related thread about axe books:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/axe-books.1245097/

 

[Square_peg]

As far as personal libraries, I'd bet Old Axeman has an impressive collection. Don't see him here much anymore but I think Double Ott also had a good collection.

 

[Square_peg]

As for navigating axe resources on the internet no one comes close to Steve Tall.

 

[Miller '72]

As for navigating axe resources on the internet no one comes close to Steve Tall.

Not even a slither of doubt to that!

Thank you SteveTall

Thanks to this community for all the positive contributions that allow us all to keep learning and asking more...of SteveTall

 

[VintageToolCo]

In English?

Hmmm... didn't think about what might be in other languages. . I'd count the Gransfors Bruk axe book. I'm mostly referring to literature written specifically as a guide or reference to axes just prior to and up to the end of the golden age of American axes (Apprx: 1850-1960) . Not included would be fiction or logging books that include a small amount of axe information. Although if it's a significant amount dedicated toward axes, I think that it would be considered relevant for this list.

Examples would be:
Embossed Axes
The Axe Book - The lore and science of the wood cutter.
American Axes - A survey of their development and their makers.
All 10 of Tom Lamont's publications.
The axe weilders handbook
An axe to grind
Douglas axe manufacturing - illustrated catalog
The axe and man


Fringe examples might be:
Tomahawks/Pipe axes of the American Frontier.
American Indian tomahawks.
Various vintage axe manufacturer catalogs/hardware store catalogs

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Because there are good ones to include

1. Les haches, Daniel Bouchard (Fr)
   
2. Das Werkzeug des Zimmermanns, Hans-Tewes Schadwinkel (D)
   
3. Eingeschlagene Symbole auf Äxten und anderen Schmiedeerzeugnissen, Gustl Reinthaler Also in English. (D)
   
4. Kirves, Juha Maasola (Fi)

Lars Enander's book on forging has in depth information on axes, also in an English version. (S)

 

[VintageToolCo]

Very cool! Now I just need a translator.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Did I forget to mention it, all richly illustrated.

 

[Old Axeman]

Some that I did not see on your list are; Axe Makers of North America-Allan Klenman; Broad Axes-James Douglas Gamble; Axe Manual of Peter McLaren; and many, many original makers catalogs along with reprints of the original catalogs. I think that the people who have reprinted these original catalogs all do, or have in past tense, belong to the Early American Industries Association (E,A.I.A.). If this would be of interest, contact them, they have a website. Of course the best axe reference on my shelf is---Oh, I see you already have it on your list!

 

[Square_peg]

Of course the best axe reference on my shelf is---Oh, I see you already have it on your list!

Which one?

 

[Old Axeman]

"An Ax To Grind", of course!

 

[Miller '72]

"An Ax To Grind", of course!

Excuse me for saying this but....hell ya!!

It was my first of any literature for axes right along with the The Crosscut Manual, Saws That Sing, Hand Tools For Trail Work and New Tools for Old Saws.

Cant beat what is written by those that use and know.

If I haven't yet...Thank you old axeman
Thank you Mr. Warren Miller

 

[Kerry W]

Although not axe specific, I thought the good folks on this forum may find these books of interest. There is some overlap of images between the books.

 

[Old Axeman]

The Kinsey book is one of my favorites! If any of you have not seen it, and you like early photos of logging, you should take a look.

 

[Kerry W]

I can’t remember which of the two books it is in but one of them mentions the diet of a lumberjack. My takeaway was it was pretty much the equilivant of an Olympic athlete.