John, your level of restoration for a "user" is better then most people's level of restoration for a "wall hanger". The handle came out beautiful, better then new!
Absolutely fantastic, Scout! You knocked it out of the park with this one! Your talent and understanding of materials is amazing. It could still be a wall hanger. Enjoy Zagray and have a great weekend! 👍
Collinsville, Conn was named because it was the home of the Collins Axe Co. The factory building still stands today and Collinsville is now a section of the town of Canton.
My late father had one of those in his garage in excellent condition, my sister used it to cut wood and left it outside over the winter. I brought it home and restored it. I have to laugh because you have a lot of the same old tools that I have, that's why I like watching you.
We had one of those brush axes. Never used it do Dad sold it to someone who needed one. Dad was like that much more than I am. Sneelock says if it doesn't work it doesn't eat. Dad said if I don't use it I will sell or give it away. Us kids made sure we showed up as working every day .
Wow the brush hook really turned out nice....and good looking enough to hang on the wall to boot. Your Mom's azalea is is really magnificent bet you're glad you stopped cutting it back. Wonderful memories!
A beautiful Azalea and a lovely memory, John. And its always fantastic to see vintage tools put back into service. I suppose as time moves on many types of tool will disappear into history completely so its worth putting a few aside for posterity - but whilst there's still use in them. . .
I bought one of these 20 years ago from an elderly farmer. He called it a ditchbank. He put a new edge on it for me and I have found it to be a wonderful tool to quickly take down bushes, blackberries, and even small trees.
ScoutCrafter, your Azalea that you planted for your mother is really beautiful. A beautiful growth pattern. The brush hook and the handle are like new. Great restoration job and nice work on the new clasp. Enjoy the Zagray show and all of your weekend.
We gave my mom an azalea every year for the first years we lived in the house my parents had built. At first she would plant them in the front yard but they would die. The only bushes that seemed to like the front yard were forsythia. She finally started planting them behind the house and wound up with quite a few nice ones.
I lived in the town where they made Collins tools. The Company closed in 1966. You could find axes, machetes, brush axes, hatchets etc in barns, garages and basements all over town.
Wow! Absolutely outstanding work on the brush axe! I’m a big fan of restoring original handles and repairing with glue. The paint looks great. Thanks so much for taking us through the process. There’s a small chance I can make it to Zagray tomorrow. Hope to see you there!
Really loved the restoration on the brush axe. Throughout the South, these tools are known universally by one name alone; a Kaiser blade. Not sure of the derivation. That's the only thing I ever heard it called until I was well into adulthood. And I am old enough to have used one, many times.
Lovely story to remember you Mum from her Azalea, it's a real beauty, and I agree with her, I like the natural shape ! Thanks for the detail on the brush axe, as I mentioned I have a couple of similar "hooks" to work on, very much users, so this will be an invaluable reference. Great to see that you didn't grind out the pits, not everything has to be polished metal, especially a user and the heft will help with that ! Looking forward to seeing it in use, we haven't been up-state for a while, I bet it's looking beautiful right now - I love it when the Birch slowly bursts into leaf, it's like someone cranks up the green "volume" a little more each day !
Excellent job John.. and couldn't agree more about plants and ones mother. I'm in a different country so no plants of hers but I have my mums jewellery box which still smells of her perfume and she has been gone for 16 years. Miss her and my dad every day. Certainly never take them for granted.
That's virgin American steel Scout, that last forever! I have a 1945 duce and a half 6x6 that is a solid as the day built. I owned a 1979 ford 12 yard dump truck that I had to replace the bed four time over 30 years. The duce and a half (2½-ton, 6×6) is still solid as a rock. Oh, and I live in the rain forest of Washington.
HI John, it was so great that my husband, Mike, was able to meet you on Saturday at Zagray!!!!! We watch you all the time. He was the man from is looking forward to seeing you at Jacktown. He is currently in his shop working on his finds from Bob's table 😅
Incredible job on the brush axe! I can't imagine a wall hanger coming out much better. The handle repair alone was great to watch. Can't wait to see all of the screwdriver entries.
You did a fantastic job. I never get tired of those kinds of projects. It was great that you could save the handle because that was in really bad shape. you are absolutely right, there’s nothing like a bill hook axe to take out brush. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I’m hope you have a great weekend.
Such an amazing resto into a user! Every time you do a tool I don't have I have to search for one for myself. I'm a sucker for an old beat up axe of any type. I especially love the handle repair, I always try to salvage the original handle. The colors are awesome too. You did that old axe justice my friend!
Absolutely outstanding! I thought I was going to be disappointed when you said you weren’t wire wrapping the handle but seeing how seamlessly you repaired it along with the beautiful stain and that red, just absolutely beautiful. I just wanna go clear a field with that thing right now!
Brush hooks are pretty common and are extensively used by wildland firefighters to begin cutting containment lines on fires. Maintenance was done after every use mainly sharpening the blade. A handle like your example would have been tossed for a new one. New handles were sanded to remove the varnish and linseed oil applied. Blades were covered with masking tape to prevent having a hand or finger cut. First couple of swings would remove the tape. Spent many hours servicing these in my career!
I have used a number of those brush hooks for cutting line for surveying along with what is called a brush blade. A brush blade has a straight handle with a flat steel blade sharpened on both sides with a slight hook on the end. A brush blade was my go-to. If those things are sharp, a good whack at about a 45* angle to the trunk of a small tree (about 1 inch diameter) or brush will go through with one swipe. Those things are wicked being slung around. That one looks like it was in a bunch of leaves or other water-retaining stuff for a number of years.
Great job. It came out really nice. I wish I still had my Dad’s old brush hook. I remember it from when I was young and Dad used the brush hook, machete and mattock to clear the vegetation on the block of land our house was built on. Great memories.
We were just at a greenhouse with my parents on Thursday and my mother bought us a lilac bush. I was thinking that we will always think of her when we see it. 🙏👍😁
Excellent work John!!!!! You gave a new life to an important tool and made it useful and beautiful!!! Your attention to detail is inspiring and you deserve all of the praise for your work!!! Well done sir!!! The Old Army Scout…
Hi John. WOW!!! What a great job on that brush axe. It really looks great. Can't wait to see you using it. Have a great time at the tractor show .have a great weekend. 👍👍👍❤...
I once repaired a Louisville Slugger baseball bat with a nasty crack similar to your handle. I packed it with wood glue, clamped it, and the crack disappeared.
Wow. I think that was probably a top 3 before and after. I had no idea it would turn out to be such a gem. Great stuff. You never cease to amaze. Cheers
Great job, that is a great looking user. You do some great restorations, love all your videos. You have really helped me with some great tips, tricks and turning me on to some great youtube channels.
Great you can tell where that touched the ground the most for years. Might I suggest you start taking some cuttings from that azalea so they get a good start to go with you when you move unless you want to transplant the whole thing. Sometimes it's nice to leave the original with the family home but you want to bring a memory of it with you besides just a picture. Might even want a water color of the old home place with everything in bloom. I regret not having it done oh so many years ago.
Bravo, Scoutcrafter! Making good on the the mechanicals goes without saying; but colour blending is such an art, you really pulled it off there. Thank you so much for sharing! All the best
What a fantastic video! It's wallhanger quality to me. I really love those too-far-gone-tools turn around. Also that bush is fantastic, never seen an Azealia get so big! Thank you scoutcrafter.
Wonderful job Scoutcrafter, wonderful, great to extend the working life of a really useful tool that could so easily have been discarded. That Azalea is beautiful, your Mum must be smiling down on it. 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇬🇧✌️
John, the brush hook looks great. As you know ToolScouter did one of those also. Very interesting tool. John your mother is looking down on you and shes hoping you dont ever cut that beautiful bush. 🙏✌🇺🇸
This is another great video. I found the gluing process very interesting. I haven't ever seen one. I remember a camping trip, and there was a CEO of a big company in the group. Around the campfire, his advice was to phone your mother every day. That advice stuck; I try to pass that along.
Man brought back memories for me not necessary good one haha but 50 plus years ago I worked as a land surveyor ...... in Louisiana swingin that puppy all day in the humidity sucked , user tip if you run across a nest of wasp in the ground ,Guinea wasp, smack em with the flat side you will get em all lol fortunately we replaced those heavy blades with what we referred to as a Joe Blade . No wonder I have shoulder problems today lol.
Amazing. Absolutely amazing. You are a craftsman and an artist. You made a user tool/wall hanger combo. Enjoyed the video and look forward to your demo.
Wow 70 entries for the screwdriver challenge-I’m excited and impressed! I hope that doesn’t turn into too much of an editing nightmare for you SC. The brush hook came out awesome-that handle came out beautiful and magnificent!
Great job on the brush hook. I was so impressed with it when you first showed it, I had to go on EBay and order one for myself. It doesn't have a handle, so I hope that I can find an axe handle to fit. Looking forward to seeing you use yours. Thanks for the video
I own one a brush ax just like that one. The handle is broken. I may actually get around to repairing it. I'm not sure if I will ever use it, though. My favorite brush cutter is named STIHL😅.
Great item. I'd never seen one of those. Similar to medieval Billhook. Thanks very much. I've given up with TV. Prefer to choose what I view on TH-cam.
John, your level of restoration for a "user" is better then most people's level of restoration for a "wall hanger". The handle came out beautiful, better then new!
Absolutely fantastic, Scout! You knocked it out of the park with this one! Your talent and understanding of materials is amazing. It could still be a wall hanger. Enjoy Zagray and have a great weekend! 👍
Collinsville, Conn was named because it was the home of the Collins Axe Co. The factory building still stands today and Collinsville is now a section of the town of Canton.
Nothing better after a long day of work then to sit and relax for a little while to one of your videos. Thanks for the great entertainment.
My late father had one of those in his garage in excellent condition, my sister used it to cut wood and left it outside over the winter. I brought it home and restored it. I have to laugh because you have a lot of the same old tools that I have, that's why I like watching you.
This is what I love to see in your videos, John! Beautiful restoration. You are so talented and you inspire so many of us with videos like these!
We had one of those brush axes. Never used it do Dad sold it to someone who needed one.
Dad was like that much more than I am. Sneelock says if it doesn't work it doesn't eat.
Dad said if I don't use it I will sell or give it away. Us kids made sure we showed up as working every day .
I love the restoration of the brush hook. Nice work on fixing the crack. Looks terrific. Very well done.
Dave.
Wow the brush hook really turned out nice....and good looking enough to hang on the wall to boot. Your Mom's azalea is is really magnificent bet you're glad you stopped cutting it back. Wonderful memories!
A beautiful Azalea and a lovely memory, John. And its always fantastic to see vintage tools put back into service. I suppose as time moves on many types of tool will disappear into history completely so its worth putting a few aside for posterity - but whilst there's still use in them. . .
The Color of that Handle is Fantastic now.
I bought one of these 20 years ago from an elderly farmer. He called it a ditchbank. He put a new edge on it for me and I have found it to be a wonderful tool to quickly take down bushes, blackberries, and even small trees.
ScoutCrafter, your Azalea that you planted for your mother is really beautiful. A beautiful growth pattern.
The brush hook and the handle are like new. Great restoration job and nice work on the new clasp.
Enjoy the Zagray show and all of your weekend.
We gave my mom an azalea every year for the first years we lived in the house my parents had built. At first she would plant them in the front yard but they would die. The only bushes that seemed to like the front yard were forsythia. She finally started planting them behind the house and wound up with quite a few nice ones.
I lived in the town where they made Collins tools. The Company closed in 1966. You could find axes, machetes, brush axes, hatchets etc in barns, garages and basements all over town.
Wow! Absolutely outstanding work on the brush axe! I’m a big fan of restoring original handles and repairing with glue. The paint looks great. Thanks so much for taking us through the process. There’s a small chance I can make it to Zagray tomorrow. Hope to see you there!
Joe- I promise you won’t regret going if you do. Zagray is awesome.
Really loved the restoration on the brush axe. Throughout the South, these tools are known universally by one name alone; a Kaiser blade. Not sure of the derivation. That's the only thing I ever heard it called until I was well into adulthood. And I am old enough to have used one, many times.
SC: So glad you put this back into service shape. Looking forward to seeing you put the brush hook through its paces.
unbelievable resotoration, The handle looks new and that red color on the blade looks fabulous.
Lovely story to remember you Mum from her Azalea, it's a real beauty, and I agree with her, I like the natural shape !
Thanks for the detail on the brush axe, as I mentioned I have a couple of similar "hooks" to work on, very much users, so this will be an invaluable reference. Great to see that you didn't grind out the pits, not everything has to be polished metal, especially a user and the heft will help with that ! Looking forward to seeing it in use, we haven't been up-state for a while, I bet it's looking beautiful right now - I love it when the Birch slowly bursts into leaf, it's like someone cranks up the green "volume" a little more each day !
Excellent job John.. and couldn't agree more about plants and ones mother. I'm in a different country so no plants of hers but I have my mums jewellery box which still smells of her perfume and she has been gone for 16 years. Miss her and my dad every day. Certainly never take them for granted.
The pitting on the Brush Axe makes it aerodynamic, like a Golf Ball!
That's virgin American steel Scout, that last forever!
I have a 1945 duce and a half 6x6 that is a solid as the day built.
I owned a 1979 ford 12 yard dump truck that I had to replace the bed four time over 30 years.
The duce and a half (2½-ton, 6×6) is still solid as a rock.
Oh, and I live in the rain forest of Washington.
HI John, it was so great that my husband, Mike, was able to meet you on Saturday at Zagray!!!!! We watch you all the time. He was the man from is looking forward to seeing you at Jacktown. He is currently in his shop working on his finds from Bob's table 😅
Incredible job on the brush axe! I can't imagine a wall hanger coming out much better. The handle repair alone was great to watch. Can't wait to see all of the screwdriver entries.
You did a fantastic job. I never get tired of those kinds of projects. It was great that you could save the handle because that was in really bad shape. you are absolutely right, there’s nothing like a bill hook axe to take out brush. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I’m hope you have a great weekend.
Such an amazing resto into a user! Every time you do a tool I don't have I have to search for one for myself. I'm a sucker for an old beat up axe of any type. I especially love the handle repair, I always try to salvage the original handle. The colors are awesome too. You did that old axe justice my friend!
Absolutely outstanding! I thought I was going to be disappointed when you said you weren’t wire wrapping the handle but seeing how seamlessly you repaired it along with the beautiful stain and that red, just absolutely beautiful. I just wanna go clear a field with that thing right now!
Brush hooks are pretty common and are extensively used by wildland firefighters to begin cutting containment lines on fires. Maintenance was done after every use mainly sharpening the blade. A handle like your example would have been tossed for a new one. New handles were sanded to remove the varnish and linseed oil applied. Blades were covered with masking tape to prevent having a hand or finger cut. First couple of swings would remove the tape. Spent many hours servicing these in my career!
Well you said it was a user too but you did such a great job that it could be a wall hanger!
I have used a number of those brush hooks for cutting line for surveying along with what is called a brush blade. A brush blade has a straight handle with a flat steel blade sharpened on both sides with a slight hook on the end. A brush blade was my go-to. If those things are sharp, a good whack at about a 45* angle to the trunk of a small tree (about 1 inch diameter) or brush will go through with one swipe. Those things are wicked being slung around. That one looks like it was in a bunch of leaves or other water-retaining stuff for a number of years.
Much impressed on how the brush hook came out, and that colour, so nice. 🐝
Your moms shrub is beautiful. The brush axe turned out awesome. You are the man John.
The brush axe is a beaut! Wonderful restoration Scout. So glad you were able to save the handle who would have guessed it would have a new life.
Great job. It came out really nice. I wish I still had my Dad’s old brush hook. I remember it from when I was young and Dad used the brush hook, machete and mattock to clear the vegetation on the block of land our house was built on. Great memories.
We were just at a greenhouse with my parents on Thursday and my mother bought us a lilac bush. I was thinking that we will always think of her when we see it. 🙏👍😁
The best thing you can do James is plant a tree with your children, in twenty years you can all look back with fondness on that special day. 😃👍
Excellent work John!!!!! You gave a new life to an important tool and made it useful and beautiful!!! Your attention to detail is inspiring and you deserve all of the praise for your work!!! Well done sir!!! The Old Army Scout…
Hi John. WOW!!! What a great job on that brush axe. It really looks great. Can't wait to see you using it. Have a great time at the tractor show .have a great weekend. 👍👍👍❤...
I once repaired a Louisville Slugger baseball bat with a nasty crack similar to your handle. I packed it with wood glue, clamped it, and the crack disappeared.
Man that’s beautiful enough to be a wall hanger too. Nice work John. Loved the azalea bush. Just gorgeous.
Better than any wall-hanger.
Beautiful shade of red. The handle looks like a million bucks.
In fact, this is a wall-hanger.
Hey !John vraiment une très belle restauration, outil en état de fonctionnement. Les fleurs sont vraiment superbes. ❤
Wow. I think that was probably a top 3 before and after. I had no idea it would turn out to be such a gem. Great stuff. You never cease to amaze. Cheers
Great job, that is a great looking user. You do some great restorations, love all your videos. You have really helped me with some great tips, tricks and turning me on to some great youtube channels.
Wow what a difference. The gunstock stain has to be my favorite. Nice job.
Great you can tell where that touched the ground the most for years. Might I suggest you start taking some cuttings from that azalea so they get a good start to go with you when you move unless you want to transplant the whole thing. Sometimes it's nice to leave the original with the family home but you want to bring a memory of it with you besides just a picture. Might even want a water color of the old home place with everything in bloom. I regret not having it done oh so many years ago.
That brush axe is great, love the handle! The azalea bush is absolutely gorgeous. Have a safe trip to CT and can't wait for Monday show.
That's beautiful! Now it's starting it's second life. I'm glad you saved it!
You did it justice. Very nice restoration. I really like the handle. I think this was crap that turned into ice cream. A very nice job, thank you
Bravo, Scoutcrafter! Making good on the the mechanicals goes without saying; but colour blending is such an art, you really pulled it off there. Thank you so much for sharing! All the best
Great job on the Bush whacker! The handle came out fantastic! Excellent job!!
The axe turned out beautiful...can't wait to see it in action...and the screw driver show down on Monday...i have goosebumps...🖖
What a fantastic video! It's wallhanger quality to me. I really love those too-far-gone-tools turn around. Also that bush is fantastic, never seen an Azealia get so big! Thank you scoutcrafter.
Very nice! Used one extensively that belong to my grandfather no doubt purchase new when Collins Axe was still in business so before 1966
VERY nice!! I love the contrast between the brick red and the gunstock stain on the handle
If the meet were at Colchester, Essex I would surely go. Great post!
Thanks for another wonderful episode that made my day even brighter. Brush hook turned out great!
Wonderful job Scoutcrafter, wonderful, great to extend the working life of a really useful tool that could so easily have been discarded. That Azalea is beautiful, your Mum must be smiling down on it. 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇬🇧✌️
That handle…..WOW! Unbelievable how great that came out.
John, the brush hook looks great. As you know ToolScouter did one of those also. Very interesting tool. John your mother is looking down on you and shes hoping you dont ever cut that beautiful bush. 🙏✌🇺🇸
This is another great video. I found the gluing process very interesting. I haven't ever seen one. I remember a camping trip, and there was a CEO of a big company in the group. Around the campfire, his advice was to phone your mother every day. That advice stuck; I try to pass that along.
Nice! Funny I have one I bought at Zagray farm show. Painted it similar!
Man brought back memories for me not necessary good one haha but 50 plus years ago I worked as a land surveyor ...... in Louisiana swingin that puppy all day in the humidity sucked , user tip if you run across a nest of wasp in the ground ,Guinea wasp, smack em with the flat side you will get em all lol fortunately we replaced those heavy blades with what we referred to as a Joe Blade . No wonder I have shoulder problems today lol.
Randy- Nothing worse than brush hogging by hand! 😃👍
Amazing. Absolutely amazing. You are a craftsman and an artist. You made a user tool/wall hanger combo. Enjoyed the video and look forward to your demo.
Excellent job, tools are made to be used and putting them on the wall is like putting wide animals in a zoo. Great work as usual.
Great job. Turned out amazing.
Wow 70 entries for the screwdriver challenge-I’m excited and impressed! I hope that doesn’t turn into too much of an editing nightmare for you SC.
The brush hook came out awesome-that handle came out beautiful and magnificent!
Monday! 😃👍
What a great job in bringing that tool back to life.
That is incredible work! You really did a great job on it and the red looks really good. The Azalea bush look beautiful. Thanks for sharing this.
Fantastic restoration I'm looking forward to seeing you use it.
Great video John
That looks great John. The handle is beautiful! I like the pitted metal because it shows the age. Nicely done sir
Wow 🤩 I would say that axe came out so amazing that you have both a user and a wall hanger to be proud of 👍
WOW! Who would have thunk that would come out so great! Good show ol chap good show!!! 👍😁😎
Excellent work. This brush ax is beautiful and usable. Great backup for the ax you have at the upstate property.
Your talent in restoring tools is amazing
Looks like a wall hanger that can also be used to me. Good job! 👍👍
It is a user that I would proudly hang on my wall. Really beautiful. Tremendous video. Thank you.
Great job on the brush hook. I was so impressed with it when you first showed it, I had to go on EBay and order one for myself. It doesn't have a handle, so I hope that I can find an axe handle to fit. Looking forward to seeing you use yours.
Thanks for the video
They use a standard axe handle! 😃👍
"Snoop" abides, thxs for sharing...Hi Pipes THE BRUSH AXE TURN OUT NO LESS THAN AWESOME
I really loved this episode. Thank you for it.
I have the same brush axe you have. I am getting ready to redue mine
Beautiful job, I love the colour choice. It's nice enough as a wall hanger.
I own one a brush ax just like that one. The handle is broken. I may actually get around to repairing it. I'm not sure if I will ever use it, though. My favorite brush cutter is named STIHL😅.
I learn so much from every episode! Thank you.
SWEEEEET! Ax restore. Definitely both, a user wallhanger!.
That's an absolute beauty, great job. Even like that it would make a fantastic wall hanger.
Fantastic job, I'm glad you decided to make it a user.
Absolutely fantastic job! John you're the master restorer!
Glad you decided to make it a user tool plus it's looks good can't wait to see it used
Great item. I'd never seen one of those. Similar to medieval Billhook. Thanks very much. I've given up with TV. Prefer to choose what I view on TH-cam.
Beautiful work!
The brush hook looks great! I bet it will perform well upstate!
Awesome job!!!
Thank You for sharing how you restored it😃
Fantastic work as usual!
Very nicely done and would be good enough for a wall hanger as well as a user.
Superb job, John!
Espetacular !!! Mais um obra de arte produzida pelo amigo. ( Brazil )
This came out really nice!
Beautiful work as ever
Brush axe looks amazing!