Old Axe "Blue Book"?

[Oregon Jim]

I found a nice PLUMB 3.2 double bit today at a local antique shop (head only) and started looking for a value but can't seem to find anything definitive like a "Gun Blue Book" online. Is there a source for such valuation?

Looking at ebay, the price is all over the board.

They wanted $20.00 for it but seemed a little high to me. I'd like to restore one for a camp axe so the double bit really isn't the one for me, but it got me thinking about how to know a deal when I see on in the future.

Got any sources for valuation?

[WoodsJack]

Yeah, prices are all over the map, huh? Free market and caveat emptor.

I've been checking my finds online: eBay and elsewhere, but factoring in variables of condition, etc.

I'd be surprised if there was some "authority" on this.

[Oregon Jim]

If anyone has resources for finding the history and era marking for brands I'd appreciate some linkage also.

http://yesteryearstools.com/ is good but does not get as specific to mark/stamp as I would like.

[Bax 40]

The plumb 3.2 is a 3 1/2 pound head, I believe the 2 means 2 quarters of a pound and if it is a real good head, 20 bucks on it would be a good price if its prettymuch all there and in good shape, I get most of mine at yard sales for less but thats here in Arkansas, I dont know of any Reference for prices and it would be hard to quantfy as condition and rareity figure into it.

Good luck.


Larry

If anyone has resources for finding the history and era marking for brands I'd appreciate some linkage also.

http://yesteryearstools.com/ is good but does not get as specific to mark/stamp as I would like.

[Oregon Jim]

Thanks Larry, I'm thinking I will get it next time I stop in if it's still there. It was in excellent condition and had not been worked on from what I could see but was not all rusty either.

I did notice it had the thick/thin sides and wondered how they were easily identified in the field for the user? Did they use to paint one side or mark one side of the handle?

[Double Ott]

Thanks Larry, I'm thinking I will get it next time I stop in if it's still there. It was in excellent condition and had not been worked on from what I could see but was not all rusty either.

I did notice it had the thick/thin sides and wondered how they were easily identified in the field for the user? Did they use to paint one side or mark one side of the handle?

Many of the experienced loggers would rasp a flat edge on the end swell of the handle on either the thin or the thicker side of the bit (your choice). That way they could tell by a quick feel of the end of the handle which edge they were using without having to look at the head. A small flat on the end of the haft would not effect the handling of the haft at all.

Tom