council tool hudson bay or boys axe

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chadsims44

Joined
Jun 18, 2011
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Going back and forth between Hudson bay and boys axe , also would really like the velvicut line. This would be for camping and survival training. Would love to here cons and pros of each and which one you would choose.
 
Haven't used these ones specifically, but I generally prefer the boy's axe, or forest axe as I call it. I think it depends on your needs. Camping and survival training in winter? Definitely go for the boy's axe as it is quite superior in acquiring wood. With the Hudson Bay pattern there is some added benefit if you want to do carving with the axe since the head shape is fine for choking up.

But all said, for survival you want the boy's axe. That size is considered right for a general purpose axe and will outdo the Hudson Bay in chopping for fuel and shelter material. The Mors Kochanski video is worth watching, he explains the benefits of this size axe.
 
thank you for info gonna watch the video now, I also wonder if you can still use boys axe one handed?
 
I own the Hudson Bay Velvicut and the Forest Service Boys axe from Council. I LOVE them both but they are very different in feel. My Hudson Bay Velvicut feels like a perfect small/bushcraft axe and you can use it one handed for hatchet duty to an extent. It is very easy to strap to the side of a day pack (3 day assault size actually, mine is 2000 ci) with only a little bit of handle extending above the top of your pack. You can produce a lot more fuel for the fire with the boys axe though... hands down. I also feel like the half/head junction is stronger on the boys axe since there is more contact and more evenly spread energy at contact if that makes sense. For an all around I would pick the Hudson Bay first for 3 season use and the boys axe more for winter camping or camping out a car/truck.

I hope that helps. And yes... the Velvicut is worth the extra dough IMHO.

Edited to add: The Forest Service Boys Axe from Council was a production overrun was similar to their standard line with just a few additional details spec'd for the Forest Service. Heads were painted half black. I think they were hardened to a slightly higher RC little more or at the very least high closer tolerances in claimed hardness... Just for reference.
 
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AND... ChadSims, if by any chance you are anywhere near the Portland (Oregon) area we might be able to arrange a demo.
 
A knife company using a city from Nebraska in its name talked council tool into doing them up some forest service boys axes.
 
chadsims44 said:
hey is it possible to use the boys axe one handed?
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I don't have a true boy's axe model, but I have a Norlund Cabin axe that is essentially the same size. I really wouldn't feel all that safe swinging it one handed. You can certainly choke up on it though for kindling and carving type work, but for straight wood processing I don't think it would be the most efficient or safest choice to swing with one hand. Now my GB SFA is a different story, as it's essentially a longer hatchet.
 
I wouldn't enjoy using the boys axe one handed for "hatchet duty" too much. The Hudson Bay pattern in that size feels (IMO) like more of a heavy hatchet head on a longer haft.

That is great to hear someone might be coaxing another batch of those Forest Service axes out of Council. I would buy a couple more as reserves and gifts. I wish they would come out with the Velvicut Cruiser. That was in the works a couple years ago. Even before they came out with the Velvicut Boys Axe.

Glad to pass along any info I have for what it's worth. I have learned a lot from everyone here sharing their knowledge and experience.
 
chadsims44 said:
which one has the thicker profile or more wedged shape for splitting? thanks for ALL YOUR HELP
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Chad,

I've got a Council Velvicut Bad Axe Boy's Axe. Love it, love it, love it -- for light to medium cutting. I like more mass in the head, but that's not why one buys a boy's axe. My wife uses it more than I do.

One handed? No problem. Use it for splittin' kindlin' all the time. Comfortable enough to do some real work with if you stay within the limits of a lighter axe. Better than any other light axe in the shop, I'll say that.

My own preference is the boy's axe over the Hudson's Bay. The boy's axe has a deeper eye, and one hears that Hudson's Bay axes can tend to loosen up faster on the handle because they have less eye to grip the wood.

The Council has a better head profile for splitting than say a GB or other Swedish axe (my opinion) -- but that said if I'm going to split serious wood I'm going to grab a different axe. It's certainly good enough to be a nice light carry into the woods and it'll get you enough wood for a fire in a hurry. I find it's also handy and light when I'm limb-trimming up the mountain behind the house.

Also useful in the kitchen...:D...I had two turkey legs I wanted to fit in the crock pot. Put them on the cutting board and WACKO cut off the bottom end of the leg bones. Yes, I'm aware that many women will jump to conclusions if their husband comes in the kitchen carrying an axe and muttering...:D

That's my $0.02.
 
Agree with Skiv.

For any serious splitting, I would pick the boys axe for sure. SO many advantages...
1. Longer handle
2. Heavier head
3. More haft in the head (stronger junction)
4. I have read some posts that lead me to believe the "beard" on a Hudson Bay can put additional odd-angled force on the smaller eye/haft

The boys axe can get some serious work done used one handed for sure. Compared to the Hudson Bay it just isn't as enjoyable. If I had to pick ONE axe it would be a boys axe and I would make it a Velvicut. The Hudson Bay for me is more of a niche tool focused on lighter weight bushcraft travel/practices comparing it to tools like the Gransfors Bruks Small Forest Axe and a little smaller than the Scandinavian Forest Axe (which I had owned previously).

A good boys axe will outperform all of those.
 
It looks like Grainger Industrial Supply is a Council Tool dealer. You might be able to find a rack of Council axes at one of their locations.
 
If you use the search feature there is an entire thread on here started by Square Peg that discussed/evaluated the pros and cons of Hudson Bay-style heads. IMO if this is to become a serious user (ie beyond outdoor recreational whittling and chipping) then aim to get a boy's axe.
 
300Six said:
If you use the search feature there is an entire thread on here started by Square Peg that discussed/evaluated the pros and cons of Hudson Bay-style heads. IMO if this is to become a serious user (ie beyond outdoor recreational whittling and chipping) then aim to get a boy's axe.
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Think it might be this one:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...e-Hudson-Bay-pattern?highlight=Hudson+Bay+axe

I have a HB pattern (unmarked) but always seem to grab a Boy's axe for most jobs. Nothing wrong with trying one out for sure.
 
I have both the Hudson Bay and Bad Boys Axe in the Council Velvicut line along with the Felling axe. I also have several GB's. My hands down favorite of all my axes and hatchets is the Bad Boys Axe.
 
Dunner said:
It looks like Grainger Industrial Supply is a Council Tool dealer. You might be able to find a rack of Council axes at one of their locations.

any way you could post some side by side comparison photos ? thickness to please That would be a big help thanks, store a little far to drive to
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