The Ardex Axe: An Axe Brand Made in 6 Different Countries

1956 – 1985*
H. R. Radomski & Co. Limited
Germany | Italy | Sweden | Brazil | Canada | Austria

Ardex Double-bit axe with maple leaf logo
Thank you East Coast Vintage Tools for use of the image.

H.R. Radomski & Co LTD launched the Ardex brand in 1956 as a range of hand tools imported from various countries into Canada and the US. Over time Ardex axes were imported from Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Brazil, until 1977 when Radomski started manufacturing axes in Canada. The brand ended in 1985.

By the time Ardex axes started being made in Canada, almost every other Canadian axe maker was out of business or on the brink of closing. So their production into the mid-1980s sets up Radomski and the Ardex brand as the last axe manufactured in Canada.

The more time I spend looking at Ardex axes, the more twists and turns appear in the story. Radomski was happy to import from all over and left little evidence about exactly when transitions happened or specific models were made. But, I’ve done my best to piece together the lineage with dates.

And while these axes were made all over the world, I still consider this a Canadian brand – as Radomski was based out of Toronto.

H.R. Radomski & The Ardex Brand

Canadian Ardex Logo

H. R . Radomski & Co. LTD was founded as an importer and distributor of European tools, based in Toronto, Ontario.

The company started between 1955 and 56 and was officially listed as part of the Canadian Hardware and Tool industry by government reports in 1957. A New York office opened in the early 60s.(3,5)

Radomski imported tools from well-known European manufacturers such as Iltis Oxhead, Prima, and True Friends, as well as tools under their own brand Ardex.

The Ardex trademark was registered in March 1958, but the brand was first used in August 1956. Ardex was used for a broad range of tools including oilers, hammers, chisels, drills, drill bits, hand-grinders, shears, draw knives, saws, vises, and axes. (1)

Ardex tools were imported from many countries including Germany, Sweden, Italy, and Ireland. (7)

While the main office for the company was always located in Toronto, the location of the Canadian-based axe factory in the late 70s is currently unknown. The founder Heljodor Radomski passed away in 1985, but it’s unclear when the company ceased operations.

Heljodor Radomski

May 8, 1908 – May 18, 1985

The company was founded by Heljodor Radomski – a Polish businessman with a doctorate in Economics. He held a position with the United Nations before immigrating to Canada in 1950.

Mr. Radomski lived in Kitchener Ontario, before moving to Toronto with his (then) wife Maria to start the import/export business. (11,12)


1. German-made Ardex Axes

In the 50s and 60s, and possibly early 70s, Ardex axes were made in Germany. While they aren’t stamped with a maker, their style, fit and finish are identical to other West German axes from around this time. They are felling axes and hatchets with a slightly crude finish and a simple text logo and weight stamped on the left side of the head.

German made ardex axe
Example of suspected German import Ardex axe (image provided by truly-the-real-guy)

Below is a nearly identical axe from the time axes stamped “RUHR W. GERMANY” (on the reverse side). Note the distinct shape with a slightly sloping pole and the position of the stamping.

Germany Axe Head – I will update once I have cleaned off the rust.

There is also a very interesting example of an Ardex axe with a sticker that is very clearly a direct lift from the Ox-head axes Radomski was also importing. This does not mean Ox-head made the Ardex axes (though they could have), only that Radomski was likely trying to coast off the existing success of the German brand.

German Pattern Ardex Axes

There are also German-style felling axes stamped with the Circle “AR” logo registered in the Ardex trademark.

German pattern Ardex Axe
Thank you Johnny Axman for use of the images.

This style of axe head was less popular in North America, which might suggest it may have been an early import before Radomski switched to the American style of felling head, and cut costs with a simpler, beefier “ARDEX” text stamp.

Interestingly the weight stamp “350” looks like a typical German-style weight stamp in grams – but it actually stands for 3.5 lbs (which would be 1500g). A smaller 2.5 lb version stamped 250 has also been found (and is in my collection).

An interesting translation issue from a limited production axe.


2. Suspected Swedish-made Ardex

Radomski imported Swedish axes as early as 1964 (although without mentioning the “Ardex” name in the catalog) and was reported doing business with a Swedish manufacturer around the time of his move to Canadian production (more on that later).

Axe in the author’s collection, thanks to Lucky Axe Co.

This example is unique, in that it has a different branding and is a different style of axe altogether from any other Ardex I have seen. I suspect it is Swedish-made because the style and finish quality is much closer to other vintage Swedish axes (but that is far from proof).


3. Italian-made Ardex Hatchets

This seems to be a unique one-off, but Ardex sold an all-steel hatchet stamped “Drop Forged in Italy”. This hatchet is mentioned in the 1964 catalog and would have come with a rubber grip.(3)

Italian made Ardex Hatchet

Ardex was also known for importing snips, oilers, and drill parts from Italy. (7)


4. The Red Ardex Axes from Brazil?

The second to last version of the Ardex axe includes the maple leaf stamp with the Ardex name and both metric and imperial weights underneath (for selling in both Canada and the US).

3.75lb Red Ardex on the original handle
Thanks to Randy for sharing these great pictures

These axes would have been from the mid-late 1970s, and originally I believed them to have been the first axes made in Canada, but new information suggests the heads were manufactured in Brazil.

The pictures of this Ardex fire axe were sent to me by Victor Petroni in Brazil. It is identical to some of the Ardex fire axes found in Canada, with the exception it has a clear “Tupy” stamp in addition to the Ardex stamp. Tupy was a Brazilian maker that was big in the 70s and early 80s.

It would have been both closer and cheaper than importing axes from Europe and a natural step to cutting costs before the final transition to making axes in Canada. The example shown is pretty solid evidence that at least the fire axes were Brazilian-made and imported into Canada, and I now suspect the rest probably were as well.

However, given Radomski’s flexible attitude towards production it’s hard to say for sure. They could have been made in multiple locations at once.


5. Ardex Axes Made in Canada

2lb Canadian-made Ardex Axe

Advertising from 1981 states the Ardex axe was manufactured in Canada since 1977.

H. R. Radomski had tried to start producing axes sooner in Canada earlier but was delayed in training a Canadian workforce due to interference from the Swedish government (on behalf of their own axe industry). (4)

“…Radomski purchased the plant from one of these defunct [Swedish] operations. He also arranged for Swedish workers to come to Canada and set things up for him. At this point the Swedish government, under pressure from their own industry, stepped in and ‘Scotched’ the scheme. Radomski had to wait until the mid seventies until he was able to recruit some Polish experts to come in, set up the machinery and train Canadians to use it. When last heard from, Mr. Radomski was producing axes under the old Walters ‘Ottawa Chief’ label.”

“The Swedish Axe in North America” by Robin Wyllie,
The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, Vol. 39, No. 4, December 1986

Unfortunately, it’s unclear who the Swedish manufacturer was, where the Canadian factory was located when Ardex axe production stopped, and what was going on with using the old Walters labels (Walters shut down in 1973).

The “Blue Canadian” Ardex Axe

Shared from Ken in Gibsons, B.C. – Check out his antique shop if you are in the area

The blue axes were likely the final version of the Ardex axe. 1981 advertising explicitly markets the brand as “The Blue Canadian Ardex” and examples housed at the Museum of Science and Technology (1982) also show blue paint. (2,6,)

Blue Ardex axes have the simplified leaf and name logo, either on the cheek or at the pole depending on the pattern. Typically on the left side of the head – although examples have been seen stamped on the right (probably by mistake).

I believe blue was used to help the brand stand out from many other options (like Garant), and possibly try to associate with the quality of the blue Swedish axes in the market (Agdor). Although that is just a hunch.

These axes would also have a paper label (above or below the stamped logo), and a “Made in Canada” label applied to the back.

Some Ardex branded handles have been seen – sometimes with an additional letter (likely a batch indicator).


6. The Austrian “Ardex” Broad Axe

Recently a reader of the site shared this very interesting Goosewing broad axe, with two of the late Ardex labels on the blade.

Thanks to John Simpson for sending in the pictures of this unique find.

The axe is clearly stamped as made by Muller, and Ardex labels are the ones used in the late 70s and 80s on the Canadian-made axes. But, why are there two labels? To cover the existing label from the original manufacturer of course.

This leads me to believe it may not have been an official partnership, but something Radomski ordered wholesale and slapped his sticker on. It seems like an odd choice, especially by the 80s. But, the white label at the top was a label of a log home builder & logging tools supplier. SO, perhaps it was a custom order?

Whatever the case, a very interesting axe and another surprise from Radomski.


Sources

  1. Government of Canada – Trademark Database
  2. “Axes made, found or sold in Canada” by Allan Klenman, 1981.
  3. McMaster University Library – Canadian Company Catalogues Collection
  4. “The Swedish Axe in North America” by Robin Wyllie, The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, Vol. 39, No. 4, December 1986
  5. The Hardware, Tools and Cutlery Industry 1957 – Government of Canada
  6. BladeForum – About Ardex Axes
  7. Progress-is-fine Blog
  8. East Coast Vintage Tools
  9. Truly-the-real-guy (reddit)
  10. Ebay seller andelli
  11. Thomson Reuters
  12. Torrance Funeral Home – Maria Schliewinsky
  13. Johnny Axman
  14. Ken – Kijiji

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