Connecticut or Tasmanian?

Discussion on the difference between Connecticut and Tasmanian patterns axes and some tips on telling them apart.

[@kurts64]

Good video, regardless of patterns you got some nice ones there. Thought id weigh in on this one if its any help. Your assessment and reasoning of the Plumb as a Connie is spot on imo. Your Hytest is a nice one, what we call the Round Poll model. Late 40s, early 50s. Hytest then moved to the Square Poll models by mid 50s and stuck with it through the rest of tassie development, but as you said the poll depth is characteristicly short compared to a dayton or connie. The poll was squared off and made slightly thicker in an attempt to improve balance and add durability (probably because by that time frame more non-professionals were purchasing and beating them to hell). Too much meat in the poll though meant for a given weight range, the bit geo had to change undesireably, so the polls are still quite thin. Helko and HB polls were a bit deeper which is why those particular models became more Connie-like. There were 3.5lbers produced by quite a few brands including Hytest, Plumb USA, HB, Brades and others but theyre not overly common. Just been havin a look through your vids, good stuff keep it up. Subbed👍👍🪓🇦🇺

[@Nsvens89]

Kurt, I truly appreciate you taking the time to chime in and add some very valuable information to the comments here. Especially with the context of your own collection and experience with tassies. Your explanation definitely gives some insight on brands I've never laid hands. It also explains why I see so many older ones on ebay with cracked polls. Thank you again for adding in your tassie knowledge and for the subscribe!

[@Brian2bears]

As a student of the axe I found this video very educational. Even in the comments. Well done, well attended sir...

[@Nsvens89]

I appreciate the kind words sir! Especially someone like yourself who has considerable time with an axe in hand. Thank you for the views and support.

[@Brian2bears]

@@Nsvens89 yes sir...

[@michaelcatherwood4088]

The Tasmanian Kellys I have are named Worlds Finest Dandenong and made in Canada. The Connecticut Kellys are named Worlds Finest made in USA. I have 6 Tasmanian Kellys and 2 Connecticut Kellys. I have 3 Plumb Tasmanians and I've never seen a Plumb Connecticut. American Connecticut pattern axes are not very common here in NZ most are Tasmanian. I've shortened a damaged Kelly Connecticut and profiled as a Tasmanian it works great. Good to see that after a 100 years the rest the rest of the world has caught up with us and the Australians.

[@Nsvens89]

It sounds like you have a nice collection!! I agree based in the stamp that one questionable Kelly is a likely a Connie. I think partially the reason the Tasmanian pattern is growing on popularity over here is due time how many people enjoy splitting with an axe over a maul. The profile certainly works well for that in some woods. I'm happy to have at least one in the collection.

[@rcosg542yt]

Correct my friend. I have both Plumb Connies and Plumb Tassies. Thats a Connecticut for sure. The plumb tasmanian is very wedge shaped just like your hytest. Great videos. Love the axe content. 👍👍👍 thanks brother.

[@Nsvens89]

I appreciate the kind words and confirming it's a Connie! I'm glad you're enjoying the content thanks for checking out the channel!!!

[@vairboy]

I've never seen a Taz less than 4 pounds, often 4.5 or more. Cool vid, thanks for showing your collection. Connies are my fav pattern! That Plumb Victory on the vintage handle is a dream.

[@Nsvens89]

Thanks man! You are absolutely right! Weight is another good indicator especially when used in conjunction with some of the other features. I definitely failed to point that out! Thank you for weighing in and adding it! I've got a soft spot for that victory Connie also. It was a fun quick build and it was wild how much oil the handle drank up in the video. I still want to sharpen it and make a sheath for it. Perhaps I'll make a follow up video for those in the future!

[@mikenormandy9250]

Looks like the Tassie wedge from a top town view, starts further back almost past the eye of the axe when the Connie starts before the eye of the axe closer to the bit…

[@Nsvens89]

I definitely see what you mean. I hadn't noticed that about the geometry before! Thanks!

[@Joey-L]

Everything you said makes sense. Especially obvious when holding them up side by side. I think weight is also a good indicator. The Tasmanians tend to be heavier. Where it might get confusing is around the 4 pound mark. There are definitely some 4 pound Tasmanians, and I have heard of some Connecticut patterns being 4 pounds, although I have never seen one. 3.25-3.5lbs is most common in my opinion. Still on the hunt for my first Tassie. I know most people say they make great splitters but I would love to profile one for chopping. Thanks for another great vid !

[@Nsvens89]

Excellent point and I agree! It that overlap in weight and similar profiles can absolutely cause some confusion. I ended up picking this one up on ebay a while back. It was somewhat expensive bit not nearly bad as some I've seen. I won it for around 50 bucks and shipping was about the same. Then it took a couple months to get through customs and whatnot. I've never come across one in the wild but I'm always looking.

[@_BigLife_]

Great video man. Thanks for the comparison.

[@Nsvens89]

Thanks man! As always I appreciate the kind words and the views.

[@ToolsandTime]

Good discussion and what an awesome selection of axes.

[@Nsvens89]

Thank you! I appreciate it. I enjoy sharing the collection with everyone.

[@ryanb1314]

I have one of Tom Lamonds books I believe it’s the southern New England one. It has a section in it about the development of the Connecticut pattern which was developed from a yankee pattern. If there’s an email somewhere I can send you a screen shot of it. Also a great look at the high centerline is if you can find pictures of what the Henry Reynolds patent bevel or Underhill patent Bevel looks like. Both from here in New England and both show a very distinct high centerline

[@Nsvens89]

That definitely sounds like a fun read. It's very interesting how patterns developed geographically to fit the needs of that area and people's preferences. You can definitely shoot me an email [e-mail]

[@Frontline-K9]

That plumb is Connecticut without a doubt no if and or but about it. You hit the head on the nail. The tapered poll is Connie and the super short almost non existing is the Tassie. Weight and profile also come In to play. I have a write up on the history of the Connecticut pattern that’s in a Tom Lamond book I have if you’re interested. That said I do have a Collins bonded that I can actually not tell if it’s a Tassie or Connie. I posted on Reddit and it’s about 50/50 in responses but the bit is worn so weight isn’t distinguishing and the poll is in between the two and the profile is more of Tassie.

[@Nsvens89]

Thanks for weighing in on it!!!! I'll definitely have to check out that his history, it sounds interesting. I know what you mean about some of those worn patterns being harder to tell. I'm not sure how long Colins was making the bonded line but it's my understanding it was supposed to be of higher quality than the legitimus. Sounds like a neat head. I appreciate the comment!

[@ryanb1314]

I have one of Tom Lamonds books I believe it’s the southern New England one. It has a section in it about the development of the Connecticut pattern which was developed from a yankee pattern. If there’s an email somewhere I can send you a screen shot of it.

[@jeffschroeder9089]

Also Connecticuts are usually lighter in weight and have a narrower eye generally

[@Nsvens89]

Thanks man! I absolutely never noticed the narrower eye but now thinking back about the last Collins Connie i hung this was absolutely the case. Thanks for weighing in!

[@gvidokepitis1068]

All Tasmanians are characterized not only by thicker profiles, but also relatively thin polls, whereas Connecticut has thick polls but thinner cheek profiles.

[@Nsvens89]

Well phrased! I'm glad others are in agreement. Thank you for weighing in and saying it so concisely!

[@davidholmes3323]

Not sure where you source your Tasmanian pattern axes from. As a Tasmanian, I like our axe. I have never weighed one and do not intend to. Our wood is Hardwood, Eucalypt mostly, they work well.

[@Nsvens89]

I've yet to come across a Tasmanian pattern locally. The HYTEST in the video was purchased from an Australian gentleman on ebay. It took a while to ship over but it's fun to have it in the collection.

[@johnb.7297]

No I think you were right originally. The plumb Connecticut patterns all have a slightly thicher profile which tricks alot of people into thinking that they are tasmanian pattern.collins Connecticut pattern is much thinner profile very obvious that there connies.plumbs are thicker more of an in-between chopper and slitting profile. This is my experience I have many examples of each.a plumb tasmanian will be crazy thick it will be very obvious that its a splitting pattern. Thanks for the vid!

[@Nsvens89]

Well said and I'm glad others are in agreement. I would eventually love to get my hands on a plumb tassie but the ebay prices make it slightly lower on collection wishlist. Thank you for your feedback!

[@jeffschroeder9089]

It’s 100% a Connie

[@marintopic6369]

Tasmanian: 4lb+, eye all the way to the back, fat in cheeks.

[@Nsvens89]

Thanks for weighing in! And an excellent point. I agree, I can't say I've seen a tassie that weighs under 4lbs (excluding heavily worn ones)

[@marintopic6369]

Those heavily worn ones, are great splitters. I like those a lot.

[@Nsvens89]

@marintopic6369 as of now, I only have one tassie. I would like to get my hands on more though!