It's time to set the record straight on a common misconception

[hickory n Steel]

This is not a salesmans sample , it is definitely not from a child's tool set, and most of all it is not rare or special.
I see this misconception spread all the time.




It is nothing more than a rebranded V&B 8oz super sportsman hatchet which Vaughan & Bushnell has been making almost constantly since at least the 60's.


I have bought 3 of them new over the years, and have another on the way now because I love them and they are getting ready to be discontinued.
Here they are with the paint stripped and the handles reworked.



They have been rebranded a lot over the years,  most notably the Craftsman in the 1960's , then next common rebrand would be the LL Bean that was stickered but unmarked.

Here's a Palco rebrand along with a Craftsman in the other head style ( borrowed picture )

An old LL Bean example

Special set offered a few years back
]
A tru-test rebrand


The knife company Bark river was refinishing and selling them for awhile


And this Botique Hipster company was selling a gussied up version for a few years.



They may be a slightly unique tool because V&B and Marbles were about the only manufacturers of sub 16oz hatchets ( besides oyster hatchets ) in the 20th century , but Vaughan made them for at least 60 years and they are not uncommon but a lot of people still seem to think they're special and rare.

[Lookin4_67GalaxieConv]

Was there a specific reason cited why they're being discontinued?

[hickory n Steel]

Was there a specific reason cited why they're being discontinued?

They were actually out of production for a couple years, I was told they just hadn't been selling that well but for whatever reason they decided to do one last production run this year.
I'm guessing they still had a bunch of handles , decals, and sheaths left for them that they needed to use up.

[hickory n Steel]

I found yet another rebrand of the V&B mini.

This is how the seller listed it
VTG Hartwell Mini Ax Hatchet-Salesman Sample, Toy. Original Hickory Handle

[muddy]

Ok, I want one!

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[Uncle Buck]

Me too! Sounds like they are NLA though.

[oldnslo]

Can my Hartwell come out to play?

[hickory n Steel]

Me too! Sounds like they are NLA though.

They're currently still available from Vaughan,  but with shipping rates you'd probably want to buy more than one item.
Maybe there's a hammer you need, or possibly their little oyster hatchet.
They're a little bit bigger at 10oz, but still small.


Keep in mind that these Vaughan hatchets do not come sharp and need some work.

[hickory n Steel]

Can my Hartwell come out to play?

Looks like you've got yourself a nice example there.

[TexasT]

that is a cool little deal. $14 for shipping two isn't outraegeous. I hope I can get the budget right before they run out of em.

[muddy]

Was True Value a rebrand of these? Any unique markings to identify one of these?

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[hickory n Steel]

Was True Value a rebrand of these? Any unique markings to identify one of these?

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I don't believe True Value ever offered them, but it's not impossible.
I haven't seen any Master mechanic Axes that weren't 80's era Mann / Collins rebrands.
Do you have one or something?

As far as identification, the only ones you'll find with markings identifying them as a Vaughan & Bushnell product are of course the standard Vaughan,  and the Craftsman which have the M OEM code for Vaughan.
Basically you just have to be familiar with them, but they're easy to identify because the only other hatchets you'll find this size were the various small Marbles which look completely different.
If you find a little mini 8oz head hatchet that looks like one of these you can pretty much guarantee that it is.

[muddy]

Was True Value a rebrand of these? Any unique markings to identify one of these?

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

I don't believe True Value ever offered them, but it's not impossible.
I haven't seen any Master mechanic Axes that weren't 80's era Mann / Collins rebrands.
Do you have one or something?

As far as identification, the only ones you'll find with markings identifying them as a Vaughan & Bushnell product are of course the standard Vaughan,  and the Craftsman which have the M OEM code for Vaughan.
Basically you just have to be familiar with them, but they're easy to identify because the only other hatchets you'll find this size were the various small Marbles which look completely different.
If you find a little mini 8oz head hatchet that looks like one of these you can pretty much guarantee that it is.

Thanks for the info!

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[hickory n Steel]

This is what the current examples look like under the blue powder coat. ( the 1st one I bought 10 years ago was much rougher )


And here it is after sanding to 320, reshaping the handle, and rehanging it ready to be sharpened tomorrow.

[TexasT]

my fomo got the better of me so I ordered two and a oyster unit and a chipping hammer with wood handle for good measure. not only shipping but a $3 handling charge added in for good measure. we will see what shows up.

[hickory n Steel]

my fomo got the better of me so I ordered two and a oyster unit and a chipping hammer with wood handle for good measure. not only shipping but a $3 handling charge added in for good measure. we will see what shows up.

From what I've seen they're kind of bad about putting multiples loose together in a box, so I wish you luck.
At least with these they require some work so any dings and scratches will be dealt with.

[hickory n Steel]

Here's my most recent example all finished up.
I blued the head ( best done before it's hung ), sharpened the bit, and flame darkened the handle a little.

[TexasT]

They came with a little packing and the three hatchets were in plastic bag/sleeves but the chipping hammer was just loose. No big deal. they are tools and they will get used .
$105 all in to my door, so about $26 each. For made in USA stuff i'm good with the cost.
And they are cute little tools.