Craftsman Axe Markings & Timeline
This is a working timeline of Craftsman stamps that I have been able to put together. Some timeframes are loose, and I will work to update this constantly as new information becomes available.
This is also very specific to the Axes and axe-style hatchets. Because not all axes and hatchets were produced for Sears by the same manufacturers, Half hatchets, roofing hatchets, broad hatchets, steel handled hatchets, and similar tools had their own timelines and markings that could vary from below.
Craftsman Sing Song Axes
Year: 1927 – 1930
This wavy word mark (often called the “sing song” logo) was the original Crafstman Logo used when the brand was launched by Sears in 1927.
This stamp features the name “Craftsman” in a serif font, flowing in a wave in the middle of an oval.
The Sing Song logo appeared in Sears catalogs from 1927-1930. I have not yet seen a catalog from 1931.
Craftsman Rounded Rectangle Axes
Suspected Year: 1931 – 1932
The single oval Craftsman stamp is believed to be the second iteration of the logo used briefly on axes from 1931-1932.
The stamp has the serif font from the original “Sing Song” logo, but it is simplified to be in a straight line. The oval bacome a rounded box on larger axes.
The date of these marks has not been 100% confirmed, but given the only other serif font logos are confirmed right before this, and right after this – I feel pretty confident in the placement.
Update:
A new single oval design has popped up since I started this article, with a sans serif font (example here). Not sure where this fits in the story yet.
This catalog from 1932 appears to show the transition of full-size axes from the single oval design to the double oval. You can see the single-bit axes already reflect the new design, while the double-bit axe drawing seems to show a tall serif font.
This the only evidence so far of this mark being shown in catalogs. I hope to see a 1931 catalog some day to see what is in there.
Craftsman Single Oval Hatchets
Year: 1931 – 1935
The single oval Craftsman stamp was used for hatchets and boys axes, and maintains the serif font as well as a true oval shape.
This stamp appears to have been used longer on the hatchets than on full-size axes, as the 1936 Golden Jubilee hatchets still used this stamp, while full-size axes had switched to the double-oval in 1932.
Craftsman Double-Oval Axe
Years: 1932 – 1942
The “Double-oval” logo was introduced in 1932 and the axes may have been made for Sears by Vaughan & Bushnell.
Sears and Vaughan already had a strong relationship, with Vaughan tools like hammers being heavily promoted.
Some hatchets also took on this logo, but I can’t place the exact timeline – but it would have been after 1936. And while this stamp was used until 1942 on some axe models, from 1940-1942 a special Vanadium stamped was used as well (see further down).
Craftsman Golden Jubilee Axes
Year: 1936
The Craftsman Golden Jubilee axes were a limited edition version produced in 1936 to celebrate 50 years of Sears. A second “Golden Jubilee” stamp was applied under the main logo.
You can see above the different stamps used at the time for full size axes and hatchets.
Etched Craftsman Axe
Year: Suspected 1930s
Not much is known about this etched Craftsman axe. Only a couple of examples have appeared online, and no records have been seen in any catalog. Although being an etched axe and what we know about the brand – it was likely from the 1930s.
It does appear to resememble a version of this handle label artwork from a late 1930s Craftsman hatchet – which has stars on either side, and the words “Guaranteed Highest Quality”.
Craftsman Vanadium Axe
Year: 1940-1942
The Craftsman Vanadium stamp was briefly used on full-size axes with added Vanadium – but this version was short-lived, as its production was interrupted by the Second World War.
Vanadium was used to increase its strength, hardness, and wear resistance of steel – but realistically mostly for marketing in an axe. Craftsman had been using it in other premium tools since the 1930s. And even though the stamp vanished they still used Vanadium in their axe marketing into the 60s.
The 1943-1946 Pause
It appears Craftsman axe production was suspended during the later years of the Second World War, and into 1946.
Good steel was at a premium and needed for the war effort, and Vaughan & Bushnell who is believed to have been making Craftsman axes at the time also stopped production of their top of the line “Sub Zero” axes.
Both Sears and Vaughan only featured their lower-teir axes during this period until production resumed after the war ended.
Post War Craftsman Axes
After the war, the Craftsman boys axe shows up in the 1946 fall/winter catalog, while the rest of the line up is back by 1947.
Sadly from this point on, it actually gets harder to date exact logo transitions. Craftsmen axes got progressively less and less space in catalogs and marketing as the axe industry shrank rapridly.
Craftsman Underline Axe
Year: 1946 – 1950s(?)
This simple Craftsman stamp utilizes the angular font, and registered trade mark sub-line. It is believed to be the stamp used when production resumed of Craftsman axes after the war.
These axes were likely made by Vaughan, as this mark appears on some Craftsman “Hatchet Axes” in the mid-1950s. This axe was model designed by Vaughan, which started being sold by Craftsman in 1950 (early models had the “Big C” logo, which is up next).
Craftsman “Big C” Axe
Year: 1950-195X?
The “Big C” Craftsman stamps have (you guessed it) a larger capital C at the start of the name. They can be found with and without double line marks on either side.
These axes were also made by Vaughan, and from 1950-1953 they were a special premium model with a “hollow ground” blade that matched the Vaughan Sub Zero line of axes (they even had a similar paint pattern).
However, it appears this mark was used after this window (and/or maybe before) and many axes with big C logo are not “hollow ground”.
These axes were sold in addition to the standard Craftsman axe line above. The “Big C” logo also appears on early models of the Craftsman “Hatchet Axe”, before it switched to the underline logo previously shown.
Craftsman Two Line Axes
Year: Late 1950s – 1980s
More of a breakdown is coming for this mark.
The two-line Craftsman axe logo is by far the most common, and was used from the 1950s or early 1960s until the line was discontinued in the 1980s.
There are multiple slight variations of this stamp, but they are all quite similar. Earlier versions do not have “Made in USA” in the secondary line.
These axes were largly (if not entirely) made by Mann Edge Tools. And some versions of that mark even have an “M” or an “a small “M” and “E” on either side, which stand for Mann Edge.
Craftsman Bicentenial Hatchets
Year: 1976
A special model, painted to gold to commemorate the 200th birthday of the United States, and came with a custom leather sheath.
Help the site grow!
Do you have a rare or unique axe? Did I get something wrong? Please share any pictures, information, or any insights to help improve the archive.
Email: museum@axeandtool.com
Love this site. Thanks for your hard work.
Thanks so much! Glad you’re finding it useful.