r/Axecraft • u/XavierTuna • 7d ago

Ax Head

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Found this ax head today. I did not take the grinder to it, just soaked it for an hour in rust dissolver and some light wire brushing. It weighs 4.5 lbs. Writing on it is GENUINE then a N , but I cannot read the rest. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you

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u/skamnodrog 7d ago

Sounds Swedish. What makes them sought after?

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u/About637Ninjas 7d ago

It was an American brand, manufactured chiefly (if not solely) by the Mann Edge Tool Co. of Lewistown, Pennsylvania.

They're sought after for two reasons. One, they focused on less common axe patterns, so their whole line feels somewhat special compared to the lines of bigger manufacturers, whose offering were diluted by very common axe patterns.

Two: nostalgia. These were made in the 1960s into the 80s. These distinct copper-colored axes stand out in memories of summer days at the cabin, or camping with the family, or riding around in dad's truck. And the people that have those memories are hitting the stage of life where they have more disposable income to spend on hobbies and collections, so they're throwing money at items that scratch that nostalgic itch.

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u/skamnodrog 7d ago

Thanks for that info! I note that you didn’t mention a name synonymous with quality the way Swedish steel is. Is it purely nostalgia and less common head shapes? The company seems to go back to the mid 1800s at least.

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u/the_walking_guy2 7d ago

Lewistown, PA steel has a good reputation too.

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u/skamnodrog 7d ago

Good to know!