{"id":3417,"date":"2022-12-12T07:16:21","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T02:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/?p=3417"},"modified":"2024-01-22T04:49:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-21T23:49:04","slug":"wajax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/canada\/wajax\/","title":{"rendered":"The WAJAX Axe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Approx. 1918 &#8211; 1930s<br><\/strong>Wood, Alexander &amp; James LTD. (Hamilton, ON)<br>Made by Welland Vale Mfg Co. (St. Catherines, ON)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It might surprise you, but the Canadian WAJAX axe was <strong>NOT<\/strong> made, sold, or used by the Canadian WAJAX Company. Despite the unique name, they are completely unrelated.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-gallery-id-3417_f4faa6-09 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.kb-gallery-id-3417_f4faa6-09 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);background:linear-gradient( 0deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100% );}.kb-gallery-caption-style-cover-hover.kb-gallery-id-3417_f4faa6-09 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption, .kb-gallery-caption-style-below.kb-gallery-id-3417_f4faa6-09 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-3417_f4faa6-09 alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-slider kb-gallery-id-3417_f4faa6-09 kb-gallery-caption-style-below kb-gallery-filter-none kb-gallery-magnific-init\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-lightbox-caption=\"false\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-slider kt-carousel-arrowstyle-none kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"400\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"false\" data-slider-fade=\"true\" data-slider-dots=\"true\"data-slider-type=\"slider\"  data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"\" data-slider-speed=\"7000\"><div class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kb-gallery-item-has-link kadence-blocks-gallery-item-has-caption\" \"><a href=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800.jpg\" data-alt=\"Vintage Wajax felling axe\" class=\"kb-gallery-item-link\"  ><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-land32 kb-has-image-ratio-land32\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800-1024x730.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"730\" alt=\"Vintage Wajax felling axe\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800.jpg\" data-id=\"3560\" class=\"wp-image-3560 skip-lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800-1024x730.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800-768x548.jpg 768w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800-1536x1096.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-felling-axe-1800.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption\"><sup>WAJAX felling axe \u2013 Contributed by Lee in Kawartha Lakes area (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kijiji.ca\/o-profile\/43210242\/listings\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">see antiques shop<\/a>)<\/sup><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Thanks to a single note in the appendix of &#8220;Axe Makers of North America&#8221;, I was able to start piecing together a backstory for this interesting axe brand. <sup><a href=\"#sources\">(1)<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The WAJAX axe brand was a house brand of the Wood, Alexander, &amp; James LTD. hardware company, based out of Hamilton, Ontario. The company was founded in late 1917, and the axes were made shortly after that into the 20s \u2013 possibly up to the 1930s. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);background-color:var(--global-palette7, #EDF2F7);border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{color:var(--global-palette1, #3182CE);font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list .kb-table-of-contents__entry:hover{color:var(--global-palette2, #2B6CB0);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_caa940-62 .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before{background-color:var(--global-palette7, #EDF2F7);}<\/style>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wood, Alexander &amp; James LTD.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wood, Alexander &amp; James LTD. was a hardware company in Hamilton, Ontario. It was formed in late 1917, as the successor to Wood, Vallance &amp; Co. They sold tools, hardware, mill and factory supplies, sporting goods, cutlery, automotive equipment, and electrical components until the 1970s.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was the last iteration of a hardware business that operated under various partnerships since 1849.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery.kb-gallery-wrap-id-3417_4512d2-34{margin-left:0px;}.kb-gallery-id-3417_4512d2-34 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.kb-gallery-id-3417_4512d2-34 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);background:linear-gradient( 0deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100% );}.kb-gallery-caption-style-cover-hover.kb-gallery-id-3417_4512d2-34 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption, .kb-gallery-caption-style-below.kb-gallery-id-3417_4512d2-34 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-3417_4512d2-34 alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-slider kb-gallery-id-3417_4512d2-34 kb-gallery-caption-style-below kb-gallery-filter-none kb-gallery-magnific-init\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-lightbox-caption=\"false\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-slider kt-carousel-arrowstyle-none kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"400\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"false\" data-slider-fade=\"true\" data-slider-dots=\"true\"data-slider-type=\"slider\"  data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"\" data-slider-speed=\"7000\"><div class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kb-gallery-item-has-link kadence-blocks-gallery-item-has-caption\" \"><a href=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918.jpg\" data-alt=\"The first ad placement after the name change to Wood, Alexander &amp; James\" class=\"kb-gallery-item-link\"  ><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-land32 kb-has-image-ratio-land32\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918-1024x723.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"723\" alt=\"The first ad placement after the name change to Wood, Alexander &amp; James\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918.jpg\" data-id=\"3431\" class=\"wp-image-3431 skip-lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918-1024x723.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918-1536x1085.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wood-alex-james-ad-1918.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption\"><sub>The first ad placement after the name change &#8211; January 5, 1918 <a href=\"#sources\">(2)<\/a><\/sub><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Under the earlier name of <strong>Wood, Vallance &amp; Co.<\/strong>, the company expanded in to the Western provinces, seeming to operate as affiliated but independent franchises. All the stores out west seemed to retain the original Wood, Vallance name &#8211; or their own variation including other partner&#8217;s names (i.e. Wood, Vallance &amp; Adams LTD in Calgary).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background\">There is an interesting article on the Nelson BC branch <a href=\"https:\/\/thebravestcanadian.com\/2019\/03\/31\/wood-vallance-hardware-company-was-a-dominant-part-of-nelson-and-region-from-1904-until-1989\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Company timeline:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1849 <\/strong>a hardware business was established by <strong>A. T. Wood<\/strong> in Hamilton, Ontario<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1859<\/strong> Matthew Leggat joined as a partner to help with growth and expansion, and the firm name changed to <strong>Wood &amp; Leggat<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1884<\/strong> William A. Wood and William Vallance join as partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1889<\/strong> Mr. Leggat retires and George Vallance joins as a partner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1889 <\/strong>the company is renamed <strong>Wood, Vallance &amp; Co.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1903 <\/strong>A. T. Wood (the original founder) dies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1909<\/strong> George Vallance dies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1913<\/strong> William Vallance dies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>December 1917<\/strong> the new company name of<strong> Wood, Alexander &amp; James LTD.<\/strong> is announced with a new partnership between the last remaining partner William A. Wood, and two men who had been with the company since the 1880s \u2013 S. H. Alexander, and G. F. James. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, I do not have a confirmed closure, but according to locals and university papers, the company was operational in Hamilton into the 1970s <sup>(<a href=\"#sources\">4<\/a>)<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" id=\"sources\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History of the WAJAX Axe<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kb-gallery-id-3417_326740-f7 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.kb-gallery-id-3417_326740-f7 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);background:linear-gradient( 0deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100% );}.kb-gallery-caption-style-cover-hover.kb-gallery-id-3417_326740-f7 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption, .kb-gallery-caption-style-below.kb-gallery-id-3417_326740-f7 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-3417_326740-f7 alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-slider kb-gallery-id-3417_326740-f7 kb-gallery-caption-style-below kb-gallery-filter-none kb-gallery-magnific-init\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-lightbox-caption=\"false\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-slider kt-carousel-arrowstyle-none kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"400\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"false\" data-slider-fade=\"true\" data-slider-dots=\"true\"data-slider-type=\"slider\"  data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"\" data-slider-speed=\"7000\"><div class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kb-gallery-item-has-link kadence-blocks-gallery-item-has-caption\" \"><a href=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600.jpg\" data-alt=\"WAJAX axe\" class=\"kb-gallery-item-link\"  ><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-land43 kb-has-image-ratio-land43\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"930\" height=\"698\" alt=\"WAJAX axe\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600.jpg\" data-id=\"3780\" class=\"wp-image-3780 skip-lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-1600.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Thanks to axe restorer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/axes.ml\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AxesML<\/a> (Instagram) for the image<\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Not a lot is known about the WAJAX line if axes &#8211; but we can make some assumptions based on related information about the axe industry in Ontario at the time. I will clearly state what is fact and what is theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WAJAX Axe Manufacture &amp; Dates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The only confirmed date for these axes is <strong>1925<\/strong>. They were documented in a catalog from that year.<sup><a href=\"#sources\">(1)<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The earliest the axes could have been made was 1918, as the new partnership didn&#8217;t form until November 1917. Given the complexity of the branding and the state of the axe industry &#8211; they were likely finished by the 1930s (if not sooner).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the relative scarcity, it is safe to assume these axes weren&#8217;t made in large numbers or for very long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much like today, hardware stores would contract out the manufacture of their branded tools.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-gallery-id-3417_cdd13e-6d .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.kb-gallery-id-3417_cdd13e-6d .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);background:linear-gradient( 0deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100% );}.kb-gallery-caption-style-cover-hover.kb-gallery-id-3417_cdd13e-6d .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption, .kb-gallery-caption-style-below.kb-gallery-id-3417_cdd13e-6d .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-3417_cdd13e-6d alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-slider kb-gallery-id-3417_cdd13e-6d kb-gallery-caption-style-below kb-gallery-filter-none kb-gallery-magnific-init\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-lightbox-caption=\"false\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-slider kt-carousel-arrowstyle-none kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"400\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"false\" data-slider-fade=\"true\" data-slider-dots=\"true\"data-slider-type=\"slider\"  data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"\" data-slider-speed=\"7000\"><div class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kb-gallery-item-has-link kadence-blocks-gallery-item-has-caption\" \"><a href=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600.jpg\" data-alt=\"Small wajax axe head\" class=\"kb-gallery-item-link\"  ><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-land32 kb-has-image-ratio-land32\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600-1024x702.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Small wajax axe head\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600.jpg\" data-id=\"3566\" class=\"wp-image-3566 skip-lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600-1024x702.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600-768x527.jpg 768w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600-1536x1053.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-wajax-boys-1600.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption\"><sub>WAJAX boys axe head with a worn bit &#8211; 2.25lb (originally)<\/sub><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>I suspect<\/strong> that WAJAX axes were made by <strong>Welland Vale Mfg Co.<\/strong> in St. Catherines &#8211; who was the closest large axe factory at the time, and known to have made axes for other hardware chains, in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The WAJAX boys axe in my collection shares a nearly identical design as a Welland Vale Lion Brand boys axe made in the same time period (although that is far from proof). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The partnership of Wood, Alexander, and James only applied to the Hamilton location &#8211; and the Western stores kept their original names (which varied based on their own partnerships and start date). So these axes may not have been sent to the other locations. Although &#8211; the boys axe above came to me from British Columbia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WAJAX Brand Marks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What is quite cool about the WAJAX axes, are the two brand marks stamped on each side of the larger axes. Few Canadian companies paid for the expense of a single large stamp &#8211; let alone two.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-gallery-id-3417_01ad7f-26 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.kb-gallery-id-3417_01ad7f-26 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);background:linear-gradient( 0deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100% );}.kb-gallery-caption-style-cover-hover.kb-gallery-id-3417_01ad7f-26 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption, .kb-gallery-caption-style-below.kb-gallery-id-3417_01ad7f-26 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-3417_01ad7f-26 alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-slider kb-gallery-id-3417_01ad7f-26 kb-gallery-caption-style-below kb-gallery-filter-none kb-gallery-magnific-init\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-lightbox-caption=\"false\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-slider kt-carousel-arrowstyle-none kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"400\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"false\" data-slider-fade=\"true\" data-slider-dots=\"true\"data-slider-type=\"slider\"  data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"\" data-slider-speed=\"7000\"><div class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kb-gallery-item-has-link kadence-blocks-gallery-item-has-caption\" \"><a href=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200.jpg\" data-alt=\"Wajax axe logo\" class=\"kb-gallery-item-link\"  ><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-land43 kb-has-image-ratio-land43\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200-1024x797.jpg\" width=\"930\" height=\"724\" alt=\"Wajax axe logo\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200.jpg\" data-id=\"3455\" class=\"wp-image-3455 skip-lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200-1024x797.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200-768x598.jpg 768w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-1-1200.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption\">WAJAX wordmark stamped on the left side of the head<\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-gallery-id-3417_2a694d-01 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.kb-gallery-id-3417_2a694d-01 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);background:linear-gradient( 0deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100% );}.kb-gallery-caption-style-cover-hover.kb-gallery-id-3417_2a694d-01 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption, .kb-gallery-caption-style-below.kb-gallery-id-3417_2a694d-01 .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner .kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption{background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-3417_2a694d-01 alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-slider kb-gallery-id-3417_2a694d-01 kb-gallery-caption-style-below kb-gallery-filter-none kb-gallery-magnific-init\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-lightbox-caption=\"false\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel kt-carousel-container-dotstyle-dark\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-carousel-init kb-blocks-slider kt-carousel-arrowstyle-none kt-carousel-dotstyle-dark\" data-slider-anim-speed=\"400\" data-slider-scroll=\"1\" data-slider-arrows=\"false\" data-slider-fade=\"true\" data-slider-dots=\"true\"data-slider-type=\"slider\"  data-slider-hover-pause=\"false\" data-slider-auto=\"\" data-slider-speed=\"7000\"><div class=\"kb-slide-item kb-gallery-slide-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kb-gallery-item-has-link kadence-blocks-gallery-item-has-caption\" \"><a href=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200.jpg\" data-alt=\"Hand Forged stamp on wajax axe\" class=\"kb-gallery-item-link\"  ><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic kb-gallery-image-ratio-land43 kb-has-image-ratio-land43\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200-1024x797.jpg\" width=\"930\" height=\"724\" alt=\"Hand Forged stamp on wajax axe\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200.jpg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200.jpg\" data-id=\"3452\" class=\"wp-image-3452 skip-lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200-1024x797.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200-768x598.jpg 768w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-axe-logo-2-1200.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item__caption\">&#8220;Hand Forged&#8221; Hammer and Arm logo on the right side of the full-size felling axe and double-bit axes<\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many of the other axe brands were simplifying their stamped branding by the 1930s, which once reason I suspect these axes didn&#8217;t last too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Known Models of WAJAX axe<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id3417_1b1cda-2f > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id3417_1b1cda-2f > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id3417_1b1cda-2f > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id3417_1b1cda-2f > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id3417_1b1cda-2f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id3417_1b1cda-2f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id3417_1b1cda-2f alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3417_a94c98-7f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/can-wajax-trio-800.jpg\" alt=\"Three models of WAJAX axe\" class=\"wp-image-3781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/can-wajax-trio-800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/can-wajax-trio-800-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/can-wajax-trio-800-768x630.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thanks to axe restorer <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/axes.ml\/\" target=\"_blank\">AxesML<\/a> (Instagram) for the image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3417_1f8af8-2f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<ol>\n<li>Large felling axes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Double-bit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boys axes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hatchets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Montreal pattern<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve seen a few of the felling axes out in the &#8220;wild&#8221; and came in a variety of weights (3 &#8211; 4.5 lbs) and at least a couple of standard patterns (which was standard at the time). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An example of a <strong>double-bit axe<\/strong> can be seen (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.worthpoint.com\/worthopedia\/antique-double-head-axe-stamped-wajax-1922459877\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>), on Worthpoint and Allan Klenmann has a picture of a smaller <strong>Montreal-style <\/strong>head in his book &#8220;Axe Makers of North America&#8221;.<sup><a href=\"#sources\">(1)<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-theme-palette-8-background-color has-background\"><strong>Help the site grow!<br><\/strong>Did I get something wrong? Do you have one of these axes? Please share any pictures, information, or insights to help fill the archive. You can email: <a href=\"mailto:museum@axeandtool.com\">museum@axeandtool.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"has-small-font-size\">\n<li>&#8220;Axe Makers of North America&#8221; by Allan Klenman (second edition \u2013 editor: Larry McPhail), 1990<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hardware &amp; Metal, Volume 30, No. 01 &#8211; January 5, 1918<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hardware &amp; Metal, Volume 29, No. 49 &#8211; December 8, 1917<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VintageHamilton\/posts\/this-1963-picture-was-taken-from-king-street-looking-north-along-ferguson-avenue\/3086490248035914\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vintage Hamilton Facebook Page<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The house brand of the Wood, Alexander, &#038; James LTD. hardware company, in Hamilton, Ontario.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-feat.jpg",1200,801,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-feat-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-feat-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-feat-768x513.jpg",768,513,true],"large":["https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-feat-1024x684.jpg",1000,668,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-feat.jpg",1200,801,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/can-wajax-feat.jpg",1200,801,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Jim Bell","author_link":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/author\/jim\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The house brand of the Wood, Alexander, & James LTD. hardware company, in Hamilton, Ontario.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3417"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3417"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4694,"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3417\/revisions\/4694"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/museum.axeandtool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}