Restoring a Valuable Vintage Collins Legitimus Axe

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

My family worked at Collins until they closed in 1966. We lived in Company housing. After the plant shut down we kids would wander thru it, finding all kinds of axes & machetes left behind. We'd also find them in the river. I still have most of them.

[@billtomsu8660]

Easy to listen to. Doesn’t overtalk but explains it clearly.

[@Gladius-]

I collect axes and I enjoy using them. What made that video special was to see someone that appreciates axes as much as I do.

[@anthonyburkett2146]

With regard to your screwdriver as a chisel... YES! There's nothing better than re purposing a broken or worn out tool for continued use! Kudos and my compliments on that bit of innovation!

[@bigdsr1]

(Didn't plan on writing a story but I have to tell this.) What i love about the older generations is, waste not want not. I'm working in a woodshop that the owner is a 87 year old Mennonite. He has repurposed so many things it blows my mind. It broke my heart when I found out that this man had a stroke and could no longer do what he loved. I went out to his shop with his son to meet him and build some custom bookcases. A day into the build I meet his father. A proud man not able to do passion. Because of a stroke he had lost almost all of his vision but not his joy for the craft. As we continued to work you could tell the excitement on his face from hearing the old saws and planers running. At the end of the day a man I'd just meet turned to me and said for me to come back whenever I wanted just so his shop was not going to waste and someone kept it working. I've never felt more honored and heartbroken at the same time. He has even offered to buy any replacement parts as long as I install them and keep it clean and working. Oh Ya Broken Screwdriver Chisels, there's a drawer for that. LOL. I have never felt more Blessed and Thankful from meeting this man and him showing me what true love and happiness mean. THANK YOU Chuck

[@josephsteffen2378]

What a beautiful story.

[@Riggurd]

I have an axe my grandfather gave me, a Collins axe his dad bought in 1936. So great to see a restoration project, really inspires me to give mine some work!

[@mikeumpstead6422]

Nice restoration. A practice I use when hanging an axe to prevent the head from coming loose. Once you hang the head on the handle, I soak the head and handle in linseed oil for 5-7 days. The handle absorbs the LO, expanding the wood and tightening the fit. 5 years and the handle is as tight as the day I assembled it. I enjoy seeing hand tool restoration done right - well done!

[@baileydonahue7314]

This is awesome I used to work in the Collinsville axe factory restoring a lot of the wood flooring, such good history

[@montelott8570]

It's satisfying to bring an old tool back to use.

[@jopsball-turret6969]

Great work. What a find! I’ve been into hanging axes for just a couple years and it really helps seeing videos like this to compare and contrast styles. It’s just so addictive…

[@Megastring]

I have a very similar Collins Ligitimus from my Great-grandfathers farm. The handle has been sanded and re-dressed with B.L.O., but the head has come loose after a long period of ridiculous amount of use (and abuse). It has the cross-type of steel wedge in it (x2). I hope that I can re-hang it as well as you did in this video. It holds such a great edge that I never really have to swing it hard to have it bite deeeeep. Those old-timers knew how to make an axe. Thank you for this very inspirational video. I live in Connecticut and keep looking for others like this Connie. Greatness in steel!

[@AustralianImage]

I have an axe almost identical to that one which I bought at a trash and treasure market around 45 years ago when it was already quite old. The only marking on it is a small hardness indicator imprint. It's been an amazing axe, able to be sharpened to a razors edge, which is holds year after year of use. And it's been in use all of those years until I bought a Fiskars axe a few years ago. I'm now doing a restoration of the axe head and a handle replacement and plan to just make it an ornament in memory of all those years service.

[@johnawhiting]

Very Nice Restoration. Does Not seem to be a lot of people doing it any more. Makes them all the more valuable. Thanks again. God Bless U and Yours.

[@Traderjoe]

I love the old style thin handles too. My father and his father had that style too and theres something old timey about it and it just feels so nice in the hand and the older folks knew what worked and what would feel comfortable using, because they didn't have as much access to chain saws and things like that and they needed stuff that wouldn't destroy them after swinging it hard all day long.

[@thomasbuzzi3234]

Like the "soft reverent touch" you use in dealing with these restorations. Bought my first ax in Connecticut half a century ago and it was a Collins from the shop just down the road. Still have it.

[@Justin-xe3uy]

Always~ I feel satisfaction and emotion together while watching your video. I wish you always healthy and happy.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@civicboomer2135]

Beautiful job. Really like how you brought it back without overdoing it. The handle now has a sunburst effect. I also have the same “screwdriver”. Works great for opening cans. Again very nice job!

[@robertgilkerson8517]

Very nice clean up, that thing is beautiful .

[@cosmicbilly]

Dude... HOLY $!@%!!🤯 I cannot believe that you found that Collins axe at a garage sale, amazing find! My dad had that exact Collins axe that he inherited from his dad.( lots of tree workers in my family) Unfortunately the Collins axe, along with a few other valuable heirlooms, was stolen a few years back out of my dads work van. That was a very sad day. Looking back, it hurts to know that Collins would have been my axe someday.. Axes have been my passion for about a year now. Basically every waking moment is spent thinking about axes and wood working.. it's almost an obsession :) I am very happy for you. That was a unbelievable find sir. Enjoy your tools! And thanks for posting this video that brought back some memories. Much love✌Cheers!

[@joenadeau4419]

Nice work, you have some good ideas, the Collins factory is still there, its an antique store now but has original hand painted signs in tact. Really good job on this restore. Joe

[@kevinfrost1579]

Classic axe, beautiful conservative restoration - what a refreshing change to see it done well. Your modesty, quiet patience and acquired knowledge make it a joy to watch you. The old boys knew what they were doing (Master hedgelayer UK 20 yrs +)

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you Kevin. 🙏

[@vairboy]

Beautiful axe, thanks for the video. I love how you preserved the age in that handle.

[@egbluesuede1220]

Nice resto. I'm a little jealous of your find! I picked up a Collins Homestead double bit this week in great condition for $19, and a double bit Sager Chemical for $30. The Sager needs some work and a new handle, so it was great to go back and watch this video again for some excellent tips.

[@noexcuses6727]

Second tie watching this video (09-08-2020) and have spent several hundred dollars on eBay buying old axes and hatches and tinkering with them. Extremely satisfying.

[@heyimamaker]

Nice find, and nice job! I am glad that you kept the original handle. It had some nice character!

[@jonnyochowa7609]

A few months ago I found a Norlund hatchet head at a garage sale! Not sure how old it is... I love it. True story. Nice work bro😊👍

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

Norlund's were made late 60s to early 80s on old machinery from the Collins Company.

[@davidarwood6264]

You made me get out my grandfather's old axe and check it. It just say Collins , but it is old. It's a US Forestry Axe from around the 40s. He got it when he worked in the CCC camps. It has a green painted handle. It's in good shape thankfully. The head is barely loose. Im never going to use it though. It just wouldn't be right to replace the handle and a sexy handle it is . 😂

[@jwhiteker1]

Dude, what an excellent video. Love the acoustic bg music, love your passion and attention to detail. Nice tight shots, perfectly timed, and just enough detail. Thank you for sharing!

[@706trippster]

Beautiful work on a beautiful axe

[@christopherckarkson5605]

OMG he used a screwdriver to remove the wedge cap thats it im done lol. Super restoration. I can tell you realy love your tools. Big thumbs up from the UK.

[@b80-s9i]

That axe is a smoke-show!!!😍😍...and cuts better than it looks!

[@mederosstreetz1070]

You are a great tutor.....and your axe is beautiful!!!!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you sir!

[@chainsaw120]

Very impressive job saving that handle and re-hanging it. Nice work!

[@chazzabh]

Magnificent - such knowledgeable enthusiasm.

[@ericbrooks1562]

👍no need to explain yourself, you are a MASTER craftsman.

[@Pilph1966]

Awesome job. I started axe hunting last spring. I have found a few and started restoring them. I get ones to use, but I like restoring them more than anything.

[@CuttingEdgetools]

NO-vinegar Bath👍 love your appreciation and approach in keeping that nice wonderful Vintage axe cleaned up- but leaving it in -it’s Vintage Glory!

[@bgurtek]

I've made small chisels out of worn-out needle files and also small screwdrivers for use as stabbing tools when making muzzleloaders.

[@douglasfathers4848]

Just the way I like them old and original.And as for your screw chesil I have at least a dozen in different sizes so you're not alone .cheers.

[@tacticalchef3369]

I acquired a very similar axe over the summer at a local antique store. The shop owner clearly did not know what he had. He used a grinder to attempt to sharpen or take out some chips and it was marked $20.00. The handle is a little longer and I believe the head is heavier. I will follow this video in disassembly and restoration. Need to figure out how to restore the patina without waiting 50 years.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

There are some interesting ways out there to force a patina, but I would suggest cold blue if it’s all bright metal currently. Good luck, and great find.

[@mso-ink]

I live a few towns over from Collinsville. The factory is now a two story antique store and houses various other shops/workspaces. Its a cool place to walk around and they do have some axes displayed behind the counter, however, they are not for sale. Good find.

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

Lot of them in the Collinsville museum.

[@firehanshg]

you are a very skilled lucky man, i have watched all your videos, i was wondering, if someone would gifted me an American American axe , dont mind an old good rusty ones, like that, here in the Uk we dont have anything like the amount of old axes, knives, guns, saws, and the history. i learned a lot from you. keep up the good work ,. i can only dream the dream of shiney, shiney, shiney axes. cheers Hans.

[@ElectricPhantasmagoria]

Very lucky to stumble on that brand and that pattern at a yard sale. Nice job with the detailed and tasteful restoration. One of the best I’ve seen in a while! If you also hold down on the head while hammering in wedges it can reduce the chance of the head jumping upward slightly. Holding it down will help keep it seated fully onto the taper. Thanks for the ax recommendations A few other excellent ones are: Buckn Billy Ray on KZbin (Smokes the pants off of wranglestar. A bit more direct and less presentation that makes it seem more genuine and less commercialized. Incredibly knowledgeable about firewood, tree cutting, tree climbing and cutting, useful tips for working. Often I watch him then wonder how wranglestar made it working with the forestry service or as an arborist. Very different personalities.) AxConnected blog (Same thing, pretty direct knowledge) Ross Gilmore on KZbin (Focuses also on bushcraft)

[@coachgb]

My goodness, this is soooooo satisfying to watch! Much love from Maui.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks brother!

[@coachgb]

And I just found a Collins Legitimus here at an antique store! I don’t think my handle is going to make the restore though. I’ve already gently pulled 7 decent size nails out and there’s still something bolt-like in there.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Apparently the ancestors believed in nails and bolts to hold loose heads on, instead of rehanging😂😂😂. I pulled so many random pointy metal things out of vintage axe heads. Good luck.

[@Greenbushjosh]

Skillcult, Liam Hoffman, Been Scott and Bucking Billy Ray top axe pros on the KZbins!

[@elemental4rce]

I'm going to call him "Been" all the time now

[@johnboynb]

Very nice sympathetic restoration. it's nice to see the handle reused.

[@rosskeeling4459]

Great video. Thanks!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks for watching Ross.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Very interesting restoration on this Axe. Thanks for the knowledge an have a Happy Merry Christmas, Sir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you. Merry Christmas.

[@marylewter9789]

You did a beautiful job. I love that you kept the look of this Axe

[@nick-dm3if]

Dont forget buckin billy ray he's the king of axes

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Buckin’s a boss!

[@EWOverland]

Thanks sharing, very intetesting

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kengoodman7719]

Awesome restoration. God Bless!

[@Master...deBater]

Nice job...I have that exact same head...it also cuts beautifully!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

It’s so nice. Like a lazer beam😁.

[@allanwells4886]

I've just rehung an old Plumb axe that was being discarded. I used a short hickory handle and it feels so nice to use. I will continue to use the Fiskars X27 on our Aussie hardwood but the old axes with thin hickory handles definitely feel nicer to use on the smaller wood. I enjoy your videos Justin, as well as Liam Hoffman's and of course Buckin' Billy's.

[@boondockscar]

These videos are super wholesome

[@TheRedhawke]

Great looking axe and lucky find. Munchkin sighting at 7:05.

[@peteschiavoni]

That axe came out gorgeous!

[@CPUDOCTHE1]

You have the same problem with your shop that I have with mine. You have more stuff than you have shop space. When I built mine, it was for wood working and storage of lawn mower, bikes, jet ski, wife's tractor and such and before the kids were very big. My oldest son has pretty well taken over my shop. All of the wood working equipment is now gone. My son will say that we need to clean up the shop, so we do. Then he decides that there is enough empty space for more equipment then he will get some more equipment to fill the empty space. He has his skid steer, two mills, two metal lathes, two welders, horizontal band saw, 4'x9' CNC plasma table, and a bunch of other stuff in MY shop.

[@scotthaddad563]

Great restoration.

[@Albert-jt4mf]

What a great video. I'm not into axes but still enjoyed watching

[@sidhugadu]

So you are the one writing WASH ME on all the cars that I am seeing. But beautiful work man asalways man. Dont know how i missed all these videos. You are really good buddy.

[@DaddyDog]

Awesome job! Definitely an axe to be proud of.

[@jamessotherden5909]

Very nice job on restoring the axe. As for the screwdriver, I have some cheap dollar store ones in various spots around the house just for that same purpose, To beat on and pry. If they break its only a buck.

[@1988dodge1]

Hey bro, if you want to use a screwdriver as a chissel, go for it and don't worry about what other folks think or say. Every Craftsman have their own way of doing things and you definitely Know what you're doing. Keep it up.👍

[@JohnDoe-hu4ph]

Awsome restore! Just getting into this. Would love to see a pic of your collection!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

I’ll post one on IG tomorrow if you follow.

[@bhrvt]

Another great video thanks for sharing

[@jastimbal60]

What a sweet axe!

[@NicholasJ-p1i]

I just found one of these at a junk store in really good condition 👌

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Oh nice

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Nice job restoring that and decent chopping

[@danielkipp7027]

i like them old and grity the way the they were found but love new handels

[@donaldlewis9734]

Great video. Thanks

[@skippyjones2077]

Great job that’s awesome...👍👍❤️❤️

[@josha5963]

This was the best axe restoration video I've ever seen! Ravens game huh? Fellow Marylander here. We should start a support group

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Josh! And yes.... after the end to this season, a support group might be needed haha

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Great looking axe, this is one of the nicest hangs I've seen on the net 👍

[@RAMPHD]

Thank Excellent and I learned a lot. New to this. Have a few ax heads, One, early 1900's, England. Insert/eye on the head looks a bit narrow. So not sure of handle head size.

[@SherlockHohms]

Awesome channel and quality! Keep it up brother, you'll be huge in no time!

[@Miguel_ON65]

Hi folk. As usual a very nice work and great restoration. From here my best wishes for this Xmas Time. Greetings from Madrid.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Miguel! Always good to hear from you. Merry Christmas.

[@thomasdement7885]

Great video.

[@ibilaibila]

23:53 tthat's what happiness look like ^^ thx for your work & your video :)

[@DEL_REAL_DEAL]

I got same collins axe for 20bucks at the local swapmeet for real love it

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Nice score! This one I picked up for $15 😁. I’ve since broke the handle😢…and rehandled with a Whiskey River 30c.

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

nice job,

[@easterriot1916]

The old two in hand! You HAVE been watching your Wranglestar axeporn::.

[@michaelcarter8209]

Outstanding

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Cheers Michael!

[@thomasclayon9143]

Love the axe videos, hit us with another homage blade like the woodlore. Maybe your take on a tracker type blade. Also look into the military surplus axes. Some awesome axes for a really good price on sportsman guide. Just some ideas. Thanks for the videos, keep them coming!

[@thomasclayon9143]

Now I'm gonna check this legitimus video out👍👍

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

👍Wood and Steel. An American Tradition 🇺🇸nice Job

[@jackjetpilot]

Beautiful!!!

[@anthonyburkett2146]

Such a beautiful axe... and a wonderfully detailed restoration as well... but what about the metal cap? Why didn't you put it back on?

[@josh.temple]

Just a different form of wedge.

[@anthonyburkett2146]

@@josh.temple Fair enough... If you'd ever want the cap reshaped, then sent to me and I will be honored to do so , and then I would send it back to you so you could use it at a later date... Really enjoy your videos.

[@TheMasonator777]

You could wire wrap an overstrike protector below the head and it’ll cover the chip.

[@dennisleksander3387]

Thank you for posting this video, It's just what I needed to see. I have a plumb boy scout hatchet with handle just like this. I have a Plumb felling axe, and both plumbs have space in front of the handle where it protrudes through the eye, just like this one. Interesting, No?

[@tierandonnelly1420]

awesome vid mate really enjoyed watching the passion you put into your projects. i have to ask why glue for the wedge and not boiled linseed oil.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

I’ve used BLO a couple of times when wedging handles and I find that they just want to squeeze back out. I’ve seen lots of other people do this successfully, but find that I like the added security that glue gives to the wedge.

[@tierandonnelly1420]

Fair point. Keep the vids coming and thanks for the reply.

[@manta7099]

I have the same axe, I also have a collins legitimus hatchet head both very well builit tools

[@paulwhitehead3002]

Merry x-mas

[@T_L_D]

Great job, as always. I really appreciate your Everyman approach to explanations, attention to detail, and general demeanor and delivery. It's evident that you're excited for and truly enjoy what you're working on. Completely unrelated: what's the model of wrist watch you're wearing in the shop portion of the video?

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks for the compliments. My watch is a Citizen Eco Drive Chronograph

[@XaLoiVlog]

My grandfather left me an American ax blade (with logo number 9) I don't understand the meaning of the logo?. and I'm keeping it as a very valuable keepsake. I once heard him say that white ash is an optimal choice for the handle of an ax. my grandpa is gone...i always keep it and will restore it someday. thanks for your good video, tutorial. Happy New Year and support your content. I subscribe to your channel, thanks for letting me watch this video. bless you✌☺

[@thomasdement7885]

Love the channel. I have an idea for a future video. I just modified the $15 Harbor Freight fireman's hatchet. There are a few videos on this project but none of them blow me away. I would love to see your take on this.

[@chrisober7666]

Good video. I am wondering though, wh didn't you put the wedge cover back on?

[@seeingthepattern]

Great looking axe, and lovely restoration. Isn’t it about time you put your daughter to work? She clearly loves being in the shop with you.

[@krykkatorix]

Well done! God Jul, from Norway!

Great job man, you work like a dentist!

[@SkiddingF350]

Nice!!