Pioneer Axe

This is a short film made by Peter Vogt in 1965 about axe making in Oakland, Maine. It documents the process of creating fine axes in the Emerson Stevens shop -- the last axe factory to operate in Oakland. Oakland was once a world-famous center of quality blade-making.

[@gasfiltered]

Love all the BS comments about "how much we've lost" or "how far we've slipped". We didn't lose it, we gave it away. Every time you buy something at Walmart or every time you whine about the cost of an item made by an American tradesman making just enough to feed his family, you put another nail in the coffin of these people. Places and industries like this still exist, but you're too lazy and too cheap to find and support them. The cherry on top is when you make fun of young people for always wanting locally-sourced, artisan food and products. This right here is what locally-sourced artisan products look like.

[@randydewees7338]

Nonsense, you can't blame the present viewers of this old film! I don't know where or why you are bitter and blame others, but this is progress, what was once the standard method is superseded by more efficient methods and systems, simple truth and history bears this out. This outfit and ones that closed before it were victims of changing industry, simple as that. It's too bad and I suppose ironic that 50 years later guys with these skills now make a good livings. In Europe the transition was made with a few axe makers, and people happily pays hundreds of euros for "hand" forge axes. These guys were craftsmen, but they didn't have the ability to somehow sell their skill as pure skill. Same as wheel makers, arrow makers, musket makers, plow makers, whale spearmen, the list is endless.

[@joshhill5932]

randy dewees, You're right on that. There are still artisans making handmade axes, knifes, tools or what ever you are looking for. You just have to pay premium prices. I also to some extent agree with gasfiltered too. We have moved into a throw away culture and buy crap all the time and care more about price than quality. Now it seems you have the expensive handmade or the cheap Chinese made but very little in the middle. Company's focus on low price over quality cause that is what most people want.

[@oldbloke100]

Australia is the same, cheap imported goods, very little manufacturing any more. people look at price an not give a dam about quality or jobs. Its very sad.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Glad to hear someone else say it. I’m a small business man, and every time I hear someone say, wow, that’s a lot, I think, yeah, compared to cheap, skilless, taxless, insuranceless, labor.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

@@randydewees7338 Friend, I think you need to read Gasfiltered again. That post is not about blaming anyone, its about calling out the hypocrisy of commenters. It's right there in the very first sentence.

[@manson69in]

Thats my great grandfather I have some of his tools and axes

[@veshtitsacraftsandtunes4693]

Shiiiit tell us some more about him!

[@johnmutton799]

Look after them !

[@Nightspyz1]

Love how he lights his pipe with the red hot metal 5:02

[@warrenboller7739]

THAT'S WHEN MEN WERE MEN 😉

[@stuglenn1112]

A corn cob pipe no less!

[@titityytyler01]

And 2s later u see his mother is in wall(tha picture)

[@JoshBurrell]

Just wonderful, I am a full time tool maker and blacksmith, seeing a forge that well equipped makes me quite emotional. Sincerest thanks for sharing this video with the world. This stuff is global heritage.

[@craigmercer6846]

Ahmen brother!

[@jhart7304]

God Bless you in your craft

[@nextinlinetoo]

Josh Burrell, absolutely right, absolutely wonderful and almost completely 19th century technology. Artwork. I wonder how many viewers notice that this used to be an assembly line of craftsmen, a row of likely water-driven workstations, overhead driveshafts, triphammer after triphammer...not just 3 craftsmen made obsolete by modernity. Maybe chainsaws are better, climate change might be the judge of that. But those hands, and those eyes, absolutely marvelous and the aesthetic loss to our culture is unimaginable and incalculable. Hammer away Josh, it is indeed important. And Peter Vogt, kudos to your youthful wisdom. Very nice visually, some shots are just gold. Black and white at its finest. 35mm film, my oh my. I was a Colby student in the late 70's, and later studied photography.

[@cabotbluegill]

Thank you so much for preserving this piece of history

[@EdFlecker1]

People simply do not suffer enough for their craft anymore. I am a classically trained Butcher ( hanging meat not boxed up bullshit). The skills that used to be commonplace are long gone now. The training that most "craftsmen" in the workforce today is nothing compared to the toil and pain endured by our predecessors. That type of hardship "separated the wheat from the chaff". Thus ensuring that those remaining in the craft cared about and took pride in what they do. There are also many countless things that a craftsmancannot understand unless they are hands on throughout the entire process. Thank you for preserving this.

[@jeffreyhill5178]

It's sad when I drive through Oakland and see the spots where the factories used to be, even the buildings are gone. Proud to say I own more than one axe made by Emmerson and Stevens! They sure don't make them like they used to.

[@JohnDoe-pv2iu]

I love the old Axes. I have a beautiful Collins Ax and a Nice Council double bit Ax from my Family's home state of North Carolina. Council was still in business in 2019, not sure of now. One thing people don't get. You take one of these fine old Axes and you can split a Lot more wood, in a given amount of time, than with a cheap imported ax. After you sharpen the old ax to a point that it will shave the hair off your arm, you can split wood all day and easier than trying to cut wood with a piece of garbage Ax that isn't tempered for crap. You can't get a cheap ax very sharp and it won't hold whatever edge you can get on it, for very long. Great video. Yall Take Care and be safe, John

[@toblid4280]

I never comment on youtube but... I really miss this kind of filmmaking. This is excellent!

[@twoZJs]

Welcome aboard Tod. Commenting grows on ones and many create ideas for others to build on, maybe by you too over the years since '95, when the web time began to get cheaper. Adding, installing the blade end was new to me.

[@42musket]

Its amazing that you had the foresight to make this video / film when you did back in 1965. Thanks for posting it.

[@andrewvida3829]

Actually not really that amazing. In 1965 blacksmithing was all but extinct and its prospects looked even more so. It wasn't until ca. 1975 when an old blacksmith named Francis Whittaker helped establish the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA) where the art and craft of smithing was drawn back from teetering at the precipice. Today there are tens of thousands of blacksmiths across the land and the globe in fact who are keeping the art of smithing alive. I started in 1975, coincidentally, when I was 17 and forged my first cold chisel in school. Been doing it ever since. But in 1965 things looked truly grim for the art and craft of the smith. All the new-fangled tech appeared poised to send smithing right into the dustbin of history. Francis was one of but a few remaining smiths and through his tireless efforts right up to his death at age 93, he continued to wield a hammer and tell the whippersnappers they were doing it "wrong". :) He was a good old soul, now whooping it up in blacksmith heaven.

[@petervogt123]

Josh, that kind of reaction warms the heart!!

[@paulbookbinder4899]

I can only echo what others have said - what a magnificent video of magnificent workmen, and what a terrible tragedy it is long gone. Thank goodness the film remains for us to see. thank you

[@hermannstraub3743]

Beyond the Information, the filming is very good, as well as the postprocessing.

[@TomScherbluk]

Magnificent - it's wonderful to see such a well-documented account of craftsmanship from a bygone era.

[@robertburgess9374]

Many thanks - sadly if we had known how many small industries etc would disappear at that time, how much more could have been recorded... The end of an era, but thankfully Peter's film/video has saved a glimpse for future generations...

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS

[@PatrickWagz]

Buckin'..... I was about 2 minutes into this video, when I thought....."Buckin Billy Ray would absolutely LOVE this video!" Glad that you got to see it.

[@georgfrese669]

Just found the video, and was thinking of you ;-) Keep on......

[@nivrat1975]

Great video I love seeing how things where made when people made things Buckin’ do you have any Pioneer Axes.

[@donnywt3195]

I was about to send to you buckin until I read comments. I love these old videos

[@bissoondathramlal2311]

Thank god these types of products are making a comeback locally. Today at Home depot you could find good quality tools made in the good old USA. However don't blame people for the capitalist who went abroad for cheap labour and big profits. Put that on the shoulders of your elected officials.

[@SIXGUNSAM]

One of the Best Historical Videos on the Tube👍🇺🇸 thanks for Sharing

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

For most people today this is special to watch, especially to a Blacksmith like myself. To these men it was a another day on the job doing piece work. They make it look so easy. I've made axe and hammers before, it's not as easy as it looks, especially if you're not making them everyday as a job. They know exactly where to strike, how hard to strike, along with every other process like robots.

[@Strafnaya]

i appreciate that axe much more than industrial made modern axes..

[@artgaff]

Thank you Peter Vogt for your vision in 1965

[@lctccc]

My grandfather- Stowell- owned this ax company!

[@MCPetruk]

Is the building still standing?Are the machines operational?

[@DrewDubious]

we really appreciate the craftsmen who made these axes. :)

[@DarrellD.]

Great looking axe! Any idea where I might find one?

[@egg2]

@@DarrellD. It's not cheap, but Brant & Cochran make an axe called Allagash Cruiser using the same methods seen in this film. www.bnctools.com/products/the-allagash-cruiser

[@jimrichardson8852]

@Stephen Stephe This was in 1965 in central Maine. There were a lot of people making a lot less money.

[@Donny_Buysall]

This is extremely well done! Thank you for taking the time to film this when you did and also for getting it to YT!

[@grizzly22485]

I saw this film at a blacksmith's meeting in the late eighties. Wonderful of you to share it with us. Thanks.................Ross

[@rmcnabb]

Wonderful. They'd be able to stay open today - I can see a small handmade axe shop like this staying backed up with orders.

[@jimc4731]

Perhaps OSHA had something to do with the closing of the business. I think the chain saw was significant in the plant closing. I have several old quality axe and hatchets and can not recall the last time I used them. Maybe the owner died and there was no interest in Maine to continue, Maybe the equipment was too worn and no one available that knew how to repair it. Maybe the skilled men wanted to retire and there was no one to take their place. Just sayin, JIM

[@tikitavi7120]

All that skill, passed down through generations, died with those guys. One of those axes, in great shape with the sticker, would be worth a thousand bucks.

[@clintwalton319]

That generation of Americans were awesome craftsmen! thanks for sharing this video.

[@jiveturkey9993]

Documentary film makers need to revive this style.

[@not2fast4u2c]

A Great old film on how they made axes back then

[@Vance_Hinds]

I think that is the coolest video I have ever seen. That was awesome. Great film, great history. Thank you Peter Vogt.

[@Vance_Hinds]

***** Many I would imagine.

[@jwdougherty3798]

Fewer than you might imagine. The wheels and the trip hammers are most hazardous and are the ones that require the greatest skill. And you'll note the wheels turn away from the user rather toward him like a modern powered wheel does. There's no hazard of the wheel throwing the axe back at the fellow doing the work.

[@andrewmarvell982]

Vance Hinds Nijmegen

[@ianhobbs4984]

Thanks that was really interesting and shows the superiority of Handmade over mass produced products.

[@lukelofgren4108]

Awesome old video!

[@tomoakhill8825]

You tube has videos of people hand making axes, primarily for axe throwing. The point is that many trades died in the decades after the end of World War II: artisan bread, craft beer, hand made furniture, and axes, among many. Now they have all come back. E.g. In 1933 there were 710 beer breweries, by 1983 there were only a total of 80 breweries, run by only 51 companies. By 2020 this had grown to 7,000. So Peter Vogt was documenting one craft industry dying of many.

[@cgarby]

thanks so much for posting this. It's a great look into an industry that was already in its last throws in the late 60s. Maine axes are some of my favorites to use on the trail.

[@gordoncoughlin794]

Chris G iiy

[@oldschool3484]

I dont know why but this hit my heart. These guys were real tradesmen.. Actually today these guys would be Highly sought after.. Each man had a special skill.. Even the tempering was an art. These guys made it look easy. Back then when this was filmed, they were not as appreciated as in former times or present..Thank you for sharing this.. Its a Real American Story, craft and way of life !

[@chriswouse7713]

5:02 now that s how you light a pipe! Good stuff very interesting!

[@BM205]

What a great video! I have an Emerson and Stevens axe that was my great grandpa's.

[@thebertt]

Wow, it's obvious those two have been working together a long time. Bend, twist, hit, punch.. the wordless interplay's intriguing. Then again, maybe it's just Maine.. ;-} Thank you for posting this.

[@otahu26]

Would be nice to see an old foundry like this back open.

[@barkebaat]

Thanks for making & preserving this film !

[@stephenrice4554]

Many a true word . Great film . 👍🇬🇧

[@Czech6ix]

Impressive film, and documentation. Thanks for posting it up!

[@riversider681]

It's all good. putting the punch line where he did was perfect. "No precision measuring tools were used in making this axe"

[@raghavendraraghu4988]

Every Hard working human know how much hard work it is and the satisfaction seeing his products in action

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Great behind the scenes look at a loss process

[@Tekninentyo]

Very good and informative film. Nice that You shared it with us.

[@DrewDubious]

I've got a few E&S HandMade axes in my collection 1928 being the oldest. They get handmade handles here and I make sure to take them out for a swing whenever I can.

[@sinistershenanigans965]

We to have plenty of films like this so satisfying. True craftsman.🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@JohnSmith-me2vq]

As an arborist who spent his whole life in maine, I appreciate every second of this video!!!

[@snobear41]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS. TOO MUCH OF OUR HERITAGE IS LOST FOREVER

[@paliacho9]

Fabulous. What a treasure of preservation.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

This reminds me of the 16 mm films we used to watch in grade school in the late 60s

[@Aaron_A_Lynch]

That's really awesome 🤙🏻🪓🪓🪓🪓

[@Lacombe57]

Thanks for documenting this.

[@clayriness6870]

That was simply terrific. Thank you, Peter.

[@jamesmuir7840]

Such Twilight Zone vibes from this film. Ron Serling would be proud. Excellent content, thanks for posting

[@danelobe2524]

That was an incredible experience, thanks for sharing this documentation.

[@davidweston6653]

Great to see the film and subject matter. Thank you

[@arthaiss3125]

Fantastic piece of recorded local history. Thank you for posting this.

[@Wettonbunker]

Absolutely wonderful bit of film!

[@bengluyas4104]

Awesome stuff. What a workshop! ❤️

[@MrMisaKulicka]

Incredible and overlooked piece of history recorded well, thank you.

[@boatingfisherdude]

I shared this on the facebook page axe junkies, they'll love it. I did thanks

[@TheRunAndGun10]

This video is a true treasure. Thanks!

[@stuartosborne6263]

What a wonderful record, thankyou for sharing.

[@amishschulze8424]

What a great film. I could watch hours of your work.

[@Jeff-iu2yh]

I think one of my favorite parts is when he lights his pipe with the corner of the hot metal.

[@manipalakkadan9270]

thanks for such a wonderful video

[@CuttingEdgetools]

Gotta Love The Fact a American Soldier 🇺🇸 Made this Video. A wonderful Historical masterpiece!

[@Syncop8rNZ]

Wonderful! Such skill, such teamwork, such danger.

[@mikemuenze5390]

Much gratitude for this.

[@davidconaway2830]

Just awesome. Reminded me of films we used to watch in middle and high school.....back in the 70s.

[@tomhollis2685]

Thank you, Peter! This was a nice Christmas morning treat in my KZbin suggestions! Very well done.

[@allenhuling598]

Great little movie here, Peter....thanks for this!!

[@oldsteamguy]

wonderful video. sure would love to be able to buy some of those today.

[@tedmartin5402]

I just can't help watching this over and over

[@brianphilbrook5262]

I'd love to have gotten one of those axes

[@javanbybee4822]

Hard to get one now.

[@Vandal_Savage]

great little movie here - thanks for the upload! :)

[@garrybeard7718]

Awesome just awesome I love old documentaries thanks and well done.👍🍺🇬🇧🤘

[@tomwaite4594]

Thank You...Exceptional quality

[@aarondalton2223]

Beautiful documentary.

[@dezertraider]

Thank you Peter,Great video!73s

[@P61guy61]

Thank you very much for posting.

[@ThePepper1976]

Thank you for posting and sharing a piece of history. Love the old axes far more than the cheap chinese metal nowdays

[@garypickering7981]

My great grandfather was the local community of Goldsmith,Indiana in the late 1800's and early 1900's

[@RickShort21]

Absolutely excellent. Thank you so much.

[@pnwRC.]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing!

[@libsead]

We need this kind of craftsmenship now!! It's a work of art that you can use!

[@ERLong-ww7yn]

Very nicely done

[@patrickjohnson7493]

Thank you for making this film. Snow and Nealy was right on the Bangor side of the Penobscot. I have a short kindling axe, under two feet long. Had no idea the cutting edge was separate steel.

[@oldergeologist]

Beautifully done.

[@yogabeeutiful]

Beautiful film.

[@QCVT]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@jeffkennedy8219]

I thought the bit was sandwiched in between the softer steel. It makes much more sense now. Thank you. I learned something useful.

[@jimc4731]

With the way the tool steel is added by Pioneer there is more tool steel width/surface available on the blade. If/when the tool steel is inserted in a slot, tool steel is buried in a useless position in the axe head and only offers a narrow band of tool steel exposed on the axe head. JIM

[@jlpservicesinc1452]

As a blacksmith who specializes in Colonial type hardware and tools videos or movies like this are such treasures.. Luckily Peter you recognized taking the film needed to make this. Thank you.. It must have been an interesting conversation when you asked to shoot the film.

[@inkydoug]

I am glad that this excellent film exists, it's like a day from 1891 that lasted until 1965 in that noisy shop somehow. Danger and pollution everywhere! I'm glad for modern health and safety standards.

[@meduffer]

That was great! Thank you.

[@andrewvida3829]

That was very well done, however short it may be. It was interesting to see that those guys placed the bit in what I consider to be the better way. Most smiths I know who have made axes leave the body split and place a wedge of steel into it and weld like that. The way shown here is WAY better. It leaves no room for cold shuts, all else equal, allows for better control of the weld, makes easier provision for any size bit... it's just the better way. I'm glad you showed this because other than myself, I have never seen a smith do it this way prior to seeing your film. Well done and thanks.

[@royhuckaby5012]

It is sad that automation has replaced many of these fine crafts. Thus much of the character and quality have disappeared too! Thank you for this historical account of the process!

[@just-dl]

Thank you, Peter, for making this. As a "Mainuh" - this touches me deeply.....

[@peteremerson4150]

Very interesting film, thanks.