Restoring a Valuable Vintage Collins Legitimus Axe
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- Опубліковано 17 гру 2019
- Today's vintage axe restoration has been a long time coming. I've been waiting to restore this axe since I picked it up from a tool sale about a year and a half ago. I wanted to be able to show this restoration to my viewers, so it had to wait its turn, but the time has come. Today I will remove the head without cutting it off, clean, oil, resharpen the head, and re hang it back onto the original handle.
This axe is a Collins Legitimus 3 1/4 lb Connecticut pattern axe, from possibly around the 1930's, on a slim and curvy 28 inch vintage hickory handle. It's super sexy and is definitely one of the more valuable axes in my collection, being a great American made axe by Collins, and one of their more sought after lines, Legitimus. The Connecticut pattern is very popular for is cutting ability due to its thin blade profile, wide bit, and gradual slope from the pole to the heal. All-in-all this is a beautiful axe, and one that I'm extremely happy to be able to restore and use for years to come.
If you are interested in customizing a store bought handle to fit your needs and your preference, check out our video below on how to pick and hang an axe on a store bought handle.
• How to Pick and Hang a...
Some Great Axe resources:
-Liam Hoffman
-Wranglerstar
-Chris Killinger
-Double Bit Axe Co.
-Vintage Axe Works
-The Legitimus Podcast
-The Axe Junkies group on Facebook
-The Axe Hounds group on Facebook
If you are interested, please follow us on Instagram @theartofcraftsmanship to see what’s happening in the shop on a daily basis, and catch sneak peeks of our up coming videos.
To those of you who feel like you got something special from our videos and want to know how you can support us further, we have just launched our Patreon page here... www.patreon.com
Thanks - Навчання та стиль
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.
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!
Easy to listen to. Doesn’t overtalk but explains it clearly.
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.
(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
What a beautiful story.
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!
This is awesome I used to work in the Collinsville axe factory restoring a lot of the wood flooring, such good history
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!
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…
Beautiful axe, thanks for the video. I love how you preserved the age in that handle.
Very nice clean up, that thing is beautiful .
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!
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.
You did a beautiful job. I love that you kept the look of this Axe
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!
Very impressive job saving that handle and re-hanging it. Nice work!
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!
Nice find, and nice job! I am glad that you kept the original handle. It had some nice character!
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.
Magnificent - such knowledgeable enthusiasm.
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
Awesome job! Definitely an axe to be proud of.
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.
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.
Awesome restoration. God Bless!
That axe came out gorgeous!
Great restoration.
It's satisfying to bring an old tool back to use.
Very interesting restoration on this Axe. Thanks for the knowledge an have a Happy Merry Christmas, Sir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you. Merry Christmas.
Great looking axe, this is one of the nicest hangs I've seen on the net 👍
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.
You are a great tutor.....and your axe is beautiful!!!!
Thank you sir!
What a sweet axe!
Very nice sympathetic restoration. it's nice to see the handle reused.
Awesome channel and quality! Keep it up brother, you'll be huge in no time!
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!
Great job that’s awesome...👍👍❤️❤️
Another great video thanks for sharing
Beautiful!!!
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.
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.
These videos are super wholesome
👍no need to explain yourself, you are a MASTER craftsman.
Great video. Thanks
Great video. Thanks!
Thanks for watching Ross.
That axe is a smoke-show!!!😍😍...and cuts better than it looks!
Great video.
Nice job restoring that and decent chopping
My goodness, this is soooooo satisfying to watch! Much love from Maui.
Thanks brother!
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.
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.
What a great video. I'm not into axes but still enjoyed watching
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!
nice job,
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.
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.
Great looking axe and lucky find. Munchkin sighting at 7:05.
Awesome!
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.
Nice job...I have that exact same head...it also cuts beautifully!
It’s so nice. Like a lazer beam😁.
Outstanding
Cheers Michael!
Awsome restore! Just getting into this. Would love to see a pic of your collection!
I’ll post one on IG tomorrow if you follow.
SO Sweet !
Always~ I feel satisfaction and emotion together while watching your video.
I wish you always healthy and happy.
Thank you for your kind words.
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.
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.
I've made small chisels out of worn-out needle files and also small screwdrivers for use as stabbing tools when making muzzleloaders.
Hi folk. As usual a very nice work and great restoration. From here my best wishes for this Xmas Time. Greetings from Madrid.
Thanks Miguel! Always good to hear from you. Merry Christmas.
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.
Lot of them in the Collinsville museum.
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😊👍
Norlund's were made late 60s to early 80s on old machinery from the Collins Company.
Well done!
God Jul, from Norway!
Nice!!
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!
Now I'm gonna check this legitimus video out👍👍
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 UA-cam
(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 UA-cam
(Focuses also on bushcraft)
Thanks sharing, very intetesting
Glad you enjoyed it
23:53 tthat's what happiness look like ^^ thx for your work & your video :)
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 +)
Thank you Kevin. 🙏
Dont forget buckin billy ray he's the king of axes
Buckin’s a boss!
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.
Good video. I am wondering though, wh didn't you put the wedge cover back on?
i like them old and grity the way the they were found but love new handels
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.👍
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?
I have the same axe, I also have a collins legitimus hatchet head both very well builit tools
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.
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?
Thanks for the compliments. My watch is a Citizen Eco Drive Chronograph
Skillcult, Liam Hoffman, Been Scott and Bucking Billy Ray top axe pros on the UA-cams!
I'm going to call him "Been" all the time now
This was the best axe restoration video I've ever seen! Ravens game huh? Fellow Marylander here. We should start a support group
Thanks Josh! And yes.... after the end to this season, a support group might be needed haha
Sweet axe! I'm working on a True Temper Woodslasher double bit. I have it hung, but I'm working on getting some tools to work out the head. Thanks for sharing. P.S. I tagged you on a couple of pics of it in IG. I have a Jersey head to hang next.
buen video gracias desde California thank-you
Merry x-mas
Beautiful axe you have right there sir. What kind/brand of boiled linseed do you use if you dont mind me asking?? Thanks love your vids keep up the good work👍👍
Outstanding axe, I wish I could try out this one, how much is the head weight and how long is the handle, thanks..
👍Wood and Steel. An American Tradition 🇺🇸nice Job
Dustin also have question for you. Since the handle cracks is good to weld a steel handle to the axe. Would it change the geometry of the Axe?
Nice job on restore. Question. Why did not not add a metal pin after wood wedge? Isn't that standard? Or is that not needed for this style of axe?
That’s a beauty of an axe. What make is that 2” by. Sander? Do you like it?
You could wire wrap an overstrike protector below the head and it’ll cover the chip.
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.
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.
Fair point. Keep the vids coming and thanks for the reply.