Help me decide - American made Forest Axe

L4NE4

L4NE4

Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
1,482
I am in the market for a medium sized axe. I have a Gransfors Bruks Wildlife Hatchet and while I really like this, I want something with a longer handle because I feel it will be much more useful (I carry a BK9 with me and that can handle anything the hatchet can). Now even though I am floored by the quality of the Gransfors, I want something American made. This is going to be my go to, main axe that will go camping with me. I will also have a saw of some sort so this axe does not need to have big chopping power.

On to my choices. First is the Council Tool Hudson Bay axe:

1755_33108_p1.jpg


Specifications:
Manufacturer: Council Tool Co. Inc.
Axe Head Weights: 1.75 lb
Axe Length: Advertised as 28 inches; measured as 26 inches
Axe Head Material: Carbon steel, HRC 48-55 on the Rockwell scale
Handle Material: Hickory
Cost: $47.00


2nd is the Council Tool Velvicut Hudson Bay axe
7780_33091_p1.jpg

SPECIFICATIONS:
Not sure overall length but Handle is 24"
2.0 lb head
5160 Steel
Grade "A" Hickory Handle
Weight (without sheath)- 45.4 ounces
Price: $125.00


3rd is the Best Made Hudson bay axe "unfinished"
HB_STUDIO_960B_1.jpg

SPECIFICATIONS:
26.2" overall length
2.0 lb head
5160 Steel
Grade "A" Hickory Handle
Weight (without sheath)- 45.4 ounces
Weight (with sheath)- 47.2 ounces
Country of origin- Made in Lake Waccamah, NC, USA by the Council Tool Axe Company
Price: $135.00

My questions are;
Is the council velvicut and best made that much better then the regular council line?
Assuming they are...
The only thing I have to choose from is the handle length. Now remember, I have a BK9 with me and a saw. I do not plan on major chopping but the bit of extra handle length on the best made has me thinking. I can always "choke up" but I can do the reverse.

This picture shows the different handle lengths perfectly...
IMG_2205_2.jpg


Anyone of experience have some wisdom to share? It is much appreciated.


Pictures and specs are taken from Woodtrekker's reviews and ColoradoWildman's review found here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...d-Hudson-Bay-Axe?highlight=best+made+velvicut. Also, pictures from Best Made's website and google images.
 
For me, the Council Velvicut handle is too short for serious chopping. Nice little weekend camping axe but not much more. I've been happier with 28-inch handles in the past and have a Norlund head that needs a new one when I can find something that fits.
 
Last edited:
Sidehill Gouger said:
For me, the Council Velvicut handle is too short for serious chopping. Nice little weekend camping axe but not much more. I've been happier with 28-inch handles in the past and have a Norland head that needs a new one when I can find something that fits.
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This is why I am thinking about the Best Made. I have a cruiser that I need to hang, when that happens whatever axe I choose here will be compared to that.
 
This seems like a popular decision that several members have gone through. I was considering the same three a while back and went with the BMC. In addition to the longer handle, the sheath it came with was more appealing than Councils. Iv'e compared it to some of my other axes (Plumb boy's and a Norlund) while camping and it outperforms them all (in my opinion).
 
CB-R said:
This seems like a popular decision that several members have gone through. I was considering the same three a while back and went with the BMC. In addition to the longer handle, the sheath it came with was more appealing than Councils. Iv'e compared it to some of my other axes (Plumb boy's and a Norlund) while camping and it outperforms them all (in my opinion).
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This is sort of my thinking and the BMC will most likely be my choice. I am tempted to try the regular Council though.
 
My copy of The Velvicut from CT measures 22.25 in overall. Would have preferred the full 24in but I wouldn't hesitate to take mine on any excursion into the wilderness. Nice to have options for your handle choice. The 2lb head is nicely done on the Velvicuts but be prepared to dial in the edge yourself it comes thick from the factory. I sanded down the head around the perimeter to make it more comfortable to hold for doing carving etc and it is much better, before it would dig into your hand.

p833893525-4.jpg


What I like is the nice wide blade on the HB's. An excellent splitter by the way. I's a powerful smallish ax. This one can do a lot of campy, bushy stuff.
Really starting to grow on me. Expensive but worth it imo.;)
 
I've heard pretty much nothing but good things about all of them. I have a modern Council 6 pound dayton. I would think that the steel is probably the same/similar to the standard Hudson Bay in the top pic. The steel quality of my Council is great. I would say that it is slightly softer than some of my good vintage pieces, but great nonetheless. I have heard that the Velvicut 5160 is slightly softer as well. I want to say it was coloradowildman who noted that.

Personally, I would go with the standard HB and try that. If you decide to upgrade later, you still only dropped $47 on the standard. Besides the standard has the length you're looking for as opposed to the shorter Velvicut.

If you're set on the HB style, that's cool, but I've heard extremely favorable things about Council's boy's axe. It has a 28" handle. 2.25lb head, which is a nice weight in my mind. I would think it would have better balance as well. That's what I'd get. It's only like $40.
 
If you have ruled out vintage, I'd probably go for the regular hudson bay. 50 bucks isn't too bad. Might take a bit of edge work, but according to most so will the velvicut. The longer handle is definitely a huge advantage as well. Remember the old saying, "its the indian not the arrow". The expensive ones are nice but you can do just as well with a lesser one once you get good with it.
 
Very good points guys.

I am not set on the hudson bay style but I am drawn to it. Also, I have been trying to keep in mind that "less is more" when it comes to my gear choices. I have sold a lot I dont need and sold some things I didnt need for things I do. I think I might try the Council boys axe or the Hudson bay and use that for awhile before I get something more expensive.

I have not ruled out vintage either, right now all of my axes are vintage besides my hatchet. I love the vintage stuff but I want to try something new for now.
 
I would tend to say that the boys axe would be a better all around tool. I never cared much for the hudson bays, they don't hit as hard as the axes with full polls seem to. Hudson bays to look real cool though :D
 
G-pig said:
I would tend to say that the boys axe would be a better all around tool. I never cared much for the hudson bays, they don't hit as hard as the axes with full polls seem to. Hudson bays to look real cool though :D
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I am going to agree with you here. I have decided on the council boys axe
 
I have a Best Made Hudson, the fit and finish are great, email with the company is S-l-o-w, I was wanting to get the American Felling Axe but after two or three emails with no one home and the phone never answered, I ordered a GB off of ebay.
 
1whobuys said:
I have a Best Made Hudson, the fit and finish are great, email with the company is S-l-o-w, I was wanting to get the American Felling Axe but after two or three emails with no one home and the phone never answered, I ordered a GB off of ebay.
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Sorry for the lack of response. I just sent you a PM.
 
L4NE4 said:
I am not set on the hudson bay style but I am drawn to it.
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I'm leery of the Hudson Bay style. I think the very short eyes on these axes are hard on the hafts. I'd look for something where the ratio of bit length to eye length is a bit closer. On an HB it's almost 2:1. I'd stay closer to 1.5:1.

I'd look into a boy's axe. Some guys don't like them because of the word 'boys'. I guess it's a macho thing. Maybe their axe helps them with their self esteem.

Get the axe that does the job best. Set the ego aside.
 
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