True Temper Lion
True Temper Canada
St. Catharines, Ontario
1950 – 1965
The True Temper Lion was the final iteration of the iconic Lion Brand axe line produced out of St. Catharines, Ontario. This long-lasting line started by the Welland Vale Manufacturing Company between 1911-1912 and was continued (unchanged) until 1950 when it became the True Temper Lion.
See the post about the Lion Brand axe to learn more.
Welland Vale Manufacturing Company was purchased by American Fork & Hoe in 1930, but it wasn’t until 1950 that a mix of owned Canadian entities were reorganized under the corporate identity of True Temper Canada. At this time the Lion Brand axe became the True Temper Lion.
The fact that True Temper kept the name Lion when they rebranded in 1950 shows the strength and recognition of the Lion Brand within the Canadian industry. It was maintained until a strike in 1965 led to the St. Catharines factory being shut down for good.
By the mid-1970s basically, all Canadian axe makers were out of business.
Welland Vale Stamps on True Temper Lion Axes
For the first couple of years, all axes made by True Temper Canada had an additional “Welland Vale” stamp. These can typically be found on the poll on single-bit axes.
When the company re-organized under the True Temper name, they wanted to make sure these “new” True Temper axes were still seen as Canadian – and to ensure they didn’t lose the trust and recognition of the Welland Vale name.
Some of the old sources say the Welland Vale stamp was only used for the first 2 years – but given how many show up, I believe it was likely a little longer than that.
Stamp Variations
There are two standard stamps for the True Temper Lion: the text-only (shown above) and the later version, which also includes the weight.
The number 4 shown here means this axe head was 4lbs.
The weight-marked ones never include the additional “Welland Vale” stamp and so are obviously later models – believed to be from the 60s, although exact timing is not confirmed.
Models of the True Temper Lion
The line-up of axes shifted slightly under True Temper Lion compared to the earlier Lion Brand, but both brands were primarily focused on full-size single-bit chopping/felling axes.
Earlier models kept the original red paint from the earlier line, but the color eventually shifted to blue as the brand focused on consolidating the strength of the True Temper brand.
There were True Temper Lion hatchets, but they seem to be less common than the earlier Lion Brand models. But, interestingly, there was a True Temper Lion Bench axe – which never existed under the original Lion Brand.
Government & Company Contracts
Both the earlier Lion Brand and newer True Temper Lion axes were popular choices for companies and government contracts, as they were a well-known and good-quality Canadian axe that was sold at a good price point.
True Temper Lion Axes were used by both the CNR and CPR railways (one of which was already shown above). And I have one in my collection, used by the Ontario Department of Lands & Forests
Another True Temper Lion in my collection is marked “T / P” on both sides of the head. I suspect it to be another government department marked, although I have no idea who it was for.
Faint “T/P” above brand mark 
Second “T/P” stamped on back
There are certainly other examples out there as well. Especially in Ontario.
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Email: museum@axeandtool.com
Sources
- “Axe Makers of North America” by Allan Klenman (second edition – editor: Larry McPhail), 1990
- Yesteryearstools.com – Welland Vale Co.