Originally published Feb. 21, 2024.
More like grandparents to me than an aunt and uncle, Albert and Sandra Carter still live just a mile or so from my childhood home. As a boy, I spent a great deal of time with them and they always treated me like gold.
Aunt Sandy never hesitated to spoil me with new toys, trinkets or whatever else she figured I might like. Her greatest gift came in the form of confections though, and I rarely went without a piece of her famous triple layer chocolate cake or a handful of homemade cookies.
Uncle Albert was no different. He understood my love of the outdoors and regularly went out of his way to let me tag along with him hunting or to the local sporting goods store, or watch him reload ammunition at his basement workbench.
And it was under that work bench, in a dusty, built-in storage cubby, where I saw it for the first time. A very small, well-used Marble’s ax.
I’m not sure of the exact model, but it was tiny. Almost miniature, it looked specifically intended for a child’s hand. It was the perfect size for me, and just as I was with Aunt Sandy’s cake and cookies, I became obsessed with the little ax.
I have no idea what Uncle Albert ever used it for, and I rarely saw it removed from its dark, dingy little home. I imagine he might have called it into service to split kindling, or occasionally as just the right tool for one of his many woodworking projects.
As a young boy who loved everything outdoors though, I would stare at it, dreaming about its endless uses, the adventures we could have, and the trails we could blaze.
Yes, Sir. With that little beauty on my belt, a knife in one pocket and a handful of Werther’s Original candies in the other, I’d be ready for a whole week in the woods building shelters, chopping down trees, hammering tent stakes and fending off bears.
I recognized its role as a crucial piece of outdoor gear, and essential for the serious outdoorsman.
I wanted it so badly that one time I boldly went so far as to flat-out ask Uncle Albert if I could have it. The answer was a stern “No.”
I figured that would be his response, but I needed the confirmation. He valued the little ax enough that he needed to keep it, and that meant I needed to have one of my own.
I don’t recall when I got my first hatchet, but I’m sure it was at least a few years later. I do recall that I lost it, though. The first quality hatchet or ax I ever owned was a Snow & Nealley Penobscot Bay kindling ax that my father gave me for Christmas when I was in high school. I still own it.
I remember honing it to a razor’s edge, then taking it ice fishing with my high school crush and watching her smash it into a rock while she was using it to chip ice. It took some work but I was able to file a new edge.
I also remember nearly severing my left index finger with it on Alligator Lake when I was in my early 20s while trying to split kindling during an ice fishing trip. I still wear the scar and feel the tightness every time I bend that finger.
Through the years, I’ve owned a number of axes and hatchets. Each seems to have its own special place or purpose, and I’ve lugged one with me on nearly all of my outdoor adventures.
It can be cumbersome and inconvenient to carry at times, but there is absolutely no substitute when you really need one.
And unlike most things in today’s world, axes are simple, basic, functional and useful. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, designs and prices.
I currently have my eye on a gorgeous Swedish-made forest ax, but at well more than $200 and with two young sons to feed, I’m happy to keep going along with my Maine-made Snow & Nealley Hudson Bay cruiser.
I’ve had it for more than 15 years and recently enjoyed rehafting it, along with a few others that needed some care and restoration.
As painful and unfortunate as the Alligator Lake incident was, I still keep my working axes and hatchets nearly razor sharp. It doesn’t take much work with a small mill file and a few minutes.
I’ve spent years scouring antique stores, flea markets and yard sales trying to find an original Marble’s ax, like the one Uncle Albert had. They are rare.
The only one like it I’ve ever seen in person is in a glass case at L.L.Bean’s flagship store in Freeport. Don’t think the idea of trying to negotiate with a manager or smashing the case hasn’t crossed my mind.
A few years back, I broke down and settled for buying a couple Marble’s hunting axes online. I kept one and gave the other to my father.
I wonder if Uncle Albert might be willing to trade. But as much as I’d love to have his ax, I wonder what it would take to get Aunt Sandy’s chocolate cake recipe instead.
