Guys help me understand the value here???

OT: but of all things axes yes a logging axe. We looked on line. at flea markets and what old ones are bringing is unreal (even no handle) I realize there are collectors for about everything but an axe is a low use item (in my area) Replaced by more modern items. And probably more people collect tractors!!! Next what imported (low quality) ones bring is scary and good American made ones: well you would need to finance it for 2 years!!! Some old flea market ones are at best in terrible condition. I would not waste the money or time to handle one. I just don't get it Thanks for your thoughts on this madness.

Jocco: several factors at play here--collector value certainly is high on good old axes, but their popularity for restorers and the demand in the camping/hunting/bushcraft/prepping market is also very high. Add in the snob appeal of the high-end ones, and you're seeing the result As is true with most antique markets, most people assume anything old is automatically valuable, at least if they're selling it, so the asking price on even axes beat up past the point of being viable candidates for restoration or use (bearing in mind the vast majority of sellers and most of the buyers have very little idea of how to judge this) are going for silly money. Still, depending on what you're looking for, there are still decent bargains to be had, especially if you have the skill to re-hang and re-sharpen older heads. I've got a small box full of heads I've picked up at garage sales, flea markets, and other places for a buck or two apiece, and have handed out at least that many to friends and relatives as gifts. Here in northern NY, there's still lots of people who use an axe, so the supply is still plentiful, though the prices have also gone up over the last dozen or so years for all the reasons noted above. Depending on what you're looking for, there are still decent axes to be had new for under $100, and a few for under $50, especially smaller ones, but if it's really something you're going to use a lot, spend a bit more--the difference in quality will pay for itself over the long haul, and avoid most of the real low-end stuff--it won't take or hold an edge and just isn't worth the aggravation or potential safety problems.

I haven't noticed that. Last year I went to an auction and bought a "lot" of three items. There was a usable axe, a rusty little wagon, and some fool thing that I wanted but forget what it was. Fella bid $1 and I bid $2. That was enough to buy the lot. I asked the other fella "was there something in particular you wanted?" He said "the axe." So I said "give me the dollar you bid on it and it's yours"...and he did. A little later I noticed a couple kids playing with the wagon so I went up to their dad and told him they could have it if they wanted it. I got a couple of nice smiles and a thank you for the wagon. But I still don't recall any axes selling for big bucks anywhere I been recently.

If I needed an ax, I would pay extra for an old one over a new one. Even if it needed a new handle because they were made of better metal and will hold an edge much better.

seems it's a big circle with all collectibles, around here it used to be longaburger baskets .and crosscut saws, now they have a hard time giving them away...but like you say hatchets seem to sell high

From a using perspective, I'll pay for a decent axe. The thing they sell called axes today, even the high dollar european stuff, are not my idea of a good axe.Give me something made before 1970 or so and not all burnt and chipped and beat up from a power grinder, fit a decent handle on it and you'll find it's a much better tool than the stuff at TSC or Lowes or your local hardware. Names like Collins, Plumb, True Temper and even Sears and Wards make decent using axes. The better Collins, Snow and Neeley, Bluegrass, etc, are a whole nuther breed above the consumer line. The difference between my Collins Legitmus and the plastic handled Fiskars I foolishly bought is night and day.

Still, I've never paid more than $15-20.00 for a really good axe, with or w/o a handle. I did go crazy last year and bought a NOS 1 man Simons crosscut for $40.00 though...

Most of the time the stuff isn't worth the money being asked but the owner saw one like it being offered on Ebay for a certain price and figures his is worth every penny of that plus a little.
Doesn't matter if the item on Ebay never sold or if the item at the flea market is a cheap knock off.
I find it less and less appealing to attend flea markets.

lol, the things I learn on this site...
axe...who woulda known.
all of mine are ancient.
Don't think I've ever actually bought one. got dads or grandpas.
Guess I better go thru the fallen down barn and sheds and actually look for them.
Must be a bunch, my brothers and I would always be throwing them at stuff when we were kids.
I like em, great workout. Muscles still enjoy it, but my old joints don't like the actual impact of ax to log anymore.