Rare antique EC Simmons Keen Kutter Black Jack Double Bit Axe. Dimensions: approx. 35 1/2 inches long overall, 4 1/2 bits, Head is just a bit under 9 inches edge to edge. Handle is not original but is a quality re-hang of the correct style. Keen Kutter axes of this era were considered of the highest quality, hand forged and tempered. The Black Jack designation was reserved for the very best axes available from KK. Keen Kutter is considered by collectors to be one of the great brands from what is referred to as "The Golden Age of Axe-Making". A Keen Kutter axe is considered a basic requirement for any serious collection. 

Keen Kutter first appeared as a brand of the Simmons Hardware Company, St. Louis, MO, in 1866. They reserved the Keen Kutter label for their very best axes and cutlery. In 1940, Simmons Hardware went bankrupt and was purchased by rival Shapleigh Hardware who replaced the Simmons name with Shapleigh while keeping the overall axe design the same. In 1960, The Keen Kutter trademark was purchased by Val-Test Distributors who dropped the Shapleigh name, but continued to use the Keen Kutter logo until the 1990's.

Sold “as-is” -- see photos for more details. The photos in this listing are of the actual item you will receive.