Council tools boys axe 24inch handle. Update pics

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dongotto

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Nov 27, 2015
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I ordered a council boys axe with a 24inch handle from Baileys. That is the only place I have found them, including council tools website. I wonder if that is a special run or something weird? I haven't got it yet but it seems the council boys axe is viewed as a pretty solid tool for around $30 and I love my FSS version. I guess this would be comparable to a Granfors Scandinavian, or ray means wilderness axe in size? I realize the head will be a little heavier on the council. It would be cool to think you could get something that competes with the above mentioned and made in america for a price anyone can afford. We will see. I'll post pics when I get it. Anyone else have the 24inch model? Might be the best budget pack axe you can buy new?
 
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Yes, I had one and sold it... I now have two more on the way...

They are a limited product from Council to test the waters of the market...

I think it makes a good combination and good option for guys who want to use and pack something a little shorter, but not lose the head weight...

duenorthmerc.com also carries them I believe...

Peace, Rooster
 
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dongotto said:
Rooster where did you get yours?
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I got mine form Bailey's... but Duenorthmerc.com puts a nice edge on them and might even add a over-strike guard... so for the extra money, they are ready to work... eh?

Those two places are the only ones that I know of that have access to these 24s from Council...

Peace, Rooster
 
It arrived today and I'm very impressed. Amazing little axe for just under $30. Poll is very nice and flat and grain is perfect on handle. It should be a great little pack axe. Handle feels great and edge is ready to be sharpened[/URL[URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/dongotto/media/0829161609_zpspeckz7jt.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/dongotto/media/0829161608a_zpsmsfydyc6.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/dongotto/media/0829161608_zpsyng3fksx.jpg.html]
 
I had the regular 28ish length boys axe and it was very nice for the price. Gave it to an aspiring young axeman (with parents permission). Yours looks as good or better.

If council is really listening and trying new things, make me a boys axe hardened poll jersey (for style) with straight 24-26" handle for functionality. Would be handy alone or with chainsaw for driving felling wedges.
 
BG_Farmer said:
If council is really listening and trying new things, make me a boys axe hardened poll jersey (for style) with straight 24-26" handle for functionality. Would be handy alone or with chainsaw for driving felling wedges.
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Now you're talking! Hard poll boys axe would be awesome!
 
Funny we were just talking about them in another thread and I was thinking they would be slick on a shorter handle. Strikes me as a good plan for CT. It would sorta be like the max power woods bumming sized axe. A Jersey pattern version would be frickin awesome if that's what you meant BG_Farmer. Seriously thinking about grabbing one of their boys axes and doing a custom handle anyway. Happy to support CT.
 
cityofthesouth said:
Funny we were just talking about them in another thread and I was thinking they would be slick on a shorter handle. . .
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There has also been recent discussions on do it yourself hardening re blades. Any reason hardening a poll wouldn't be similar? I don't know, just thought I'd toss it out to the blacksmiths here. Might take CT awhile, if ever, on their boy's axe.

Bob
 
I took it out last night for some light work and it made clearing small branches(2 to 3 inches thick) a breeze. When choked up you basically let the weight of the head fall and the branch is removed in a hurry. I think I'm going to really like it.
 
rjdankert said:
There has also been recent discussions on do it yourself hardening re blades. Any reason hardening a poll wouldn't be similar? I don't know, just thought I'd toss it out to the blacksmiths here. Might take CT awhile, if ever, on their boy's axe.

Bob
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Not a bad idea.
 
rjdankert said:
There has also been recent discussions on do it yourself hardening re blades. Any reason hardening a poll wouldn't be similar? I don't know, just thought I'd toss it out to the blacksmiths here. Might take CT awhile, if ever, on their boy's axe.

Bob
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It would be tricky. You'd want to start with an axe cast from homogeneous steel not an axe with an overlaid bit. You need hardenable steel at the bit. Then you'd need to either preserve the bit temper during the process or quench and temper both ends in one process. I'll follow up on more about how to do this in a later post. Gotta go to work.
 
rjdankert said:
There has also been recent discussions on do it yourself hardening re blades. Any reason hardening a poll wouldn't be similar? I don't know, just thought I'd toss it out to the blacksmiths here. Might take CT awhile, if ever, on their boy's axe.

Bob
Click to expand...

From what I have learned about Council's heat-treating system, it would be difficult to harden the poll without putting the eye at risk of fracture... Since the poll on a Boys axe is only 5/8"-3/4", and in order to heat treat enough of the poll material, say 1/4"+, most of the poll would have to be heated, which would also heat the back of the eye...so, when it is quenched, the back of the eye and eye-wall might also get hardened... this portion should stay softer to handle shock, especially if the axe is used to pound anything.

If the poll was longer it might work, but that would mean re-sinking dies or having new ones made... and would the demand for such a tool warrant the additional cost of set-up...eh?

Peace, Rooster
 
RoosterMod said:
From what I have learned about Council's heat-treating system, it would be difficult to harden the poll without putting the eye at risk of fracture... Since the poll on a Boys axe is only 5/8"-3/4", and in order to heat treat enough of the poll material, say 1/4"+, most of the poll would have to be heated, which would also heat the back of the eye...so, when it is quenched, the back of the eye and eye-wall might also get hardened... this portion should stay softer to handle shock, especially if the axe is used to pound anything.

If the poll was longer it might work, but that would mean re-sinking dies or having new ones made... and would the demand for such a tool warrant the additional cost of set-up...eh?

Peace, Rooster
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very good point.
one of those easier said than done scenarios.
 
RoosterMod said:
From what I have learned about Council's heat-treating system, it would be difficult to harden the poll without putting the eye at risk of fracture... Since the poll on a Boys axe is only 5/8"-3/4", and in order to heat treat enough of the poll material, say 1/4"+, most of the poll would have to be heated, which would also heat the back of the eye...so, when it is quenched, the back of the eye and eye-wall might also get hardened... this portion should stay softer to handle shock, especially if the axe is used to pound anything.

If the poll was longer it might work, but that would mean re-sinking dies or having new ones made... and would the demand for such a tool warrant the additional cost of set-up...eh?

Peace, Rooster
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My wish/recommendation was for Council to make such a thing. Perhaps Kentucky pattern would be even better, with a slightly shorter blade and longer poll. I consider something like this to be the original "American Forest Axe", with proven utility and traditional looks.

The hardened poll is useful even for driving wooden wedges or gluts.

Not long ago, I believe Old Axeman shared a colonial era head he found in a cabin, and it was along these lines in terms of size, shape and weight iirc, might also have had a hardened poll...not sure.

Just wishing, anyway, might as well wish for it all :)!
 
It wouldn't be that difficult. Just wrap the bit with a wet rag while heating the poll. Use a spray bottle to ensure the rag stays damp. Let the heat extend halfway into the eye. When the you reach the critical temp, quench just 3/8" inch of the poll, leaving red heat in the eye. Have your angle grinder ready with a flap disc and immediately after quenching polish a small patch from eye to poll. It'll only take a few seconds. Then watch as the temper colors run from the hot eye to the quenched poll. As a dark straw color is just beginning to turn to purple at the poll quench just the poll again. Repeat several times until all red heat color has left the eye area. Then quench the whole thing.

The eye won't get hard because it was never quenched from critical heat. The residual heat in the eye gets used to temper the poll so the poll won't be brittle. Additional oven heat treats at ~450°F ensure the poll isn't brittle while still preserving the temper in the eye which has likely already been tempered to 500°F.
 
BG_Farmer, There were 2 Colonial era axes in that thread, both had hardened polls and weighed about the same as a boys axe. Square_peg started the thread and was kind enough to post the pictures for me. I would love to work with Council to get axes like that available again.
 
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