Best Made / Base Camp X Axes

[Animatronic Fireman]

I haven't seen any posts about Best Made or Base Camp X.

Anyone know anything about them? (Other than that they can get expensive?) A lot them look great.

http://www.bestmadeco.com/collections/axes

http://www.basecampx.com/the-works/

AF

[scouter27]

Someone at Best Made is a member here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/me...92990-nickzdon

He was drawn to this forum in a thread about the "worst axes" and was a genuine class act about the whole thing, especially considering the topic at hand. He also immediately became a paid member, as a maker. I think that speaks very highly of him as a person and potentially his affiliated company as well.

Theirs are made by Council tool, and certainly high quality axes.

Other than that, I can't really tell you much.

[nickzdon]

Hey Fireman,

Here's a quick bit about us from our website: http://www.bestmadeco.com/pages/about

Our axes are forged for us in partnership with Council Tool (in fact we've been testing the new Hudson Bay. I'll post photos soon). We have a deep love of the axe, both as a thing of beauty and as a most useful tool. We are also collectors, and restorers, and host axe restoration workshops. We started with the axe and have expanded our product offerings over the past year or so. We are a small company, and love to communicate with customers and fans directly, either via the forum, or email.

Send me a message if you have specific questions about any of our products, or I'm happy to address them in the forum as well.

Cheers,
Nick

[trailmaker]

Best made sells an "unfinished" axe that is reasonably priced. If I recall it's a little bit cheaper than the equivalent Council axe. Definitely worth a look for anyone interested in high end American axes.

[Tireur]

I had signed up here to find some info on Council's Velvicut, but I have to say I like the looks of the Best Made handle better. 26" is much more suitable for this head IMO, and the price on the unfinished axe with decent sheath isn't much more. Atleast we get to see some sneak peeks of the Velvicut head!

[csp203]

I suspect the longer handle would be nicer. Is this the same handle that is used on the boys axe and Hudson bay axe ( that would be good thing). When the axe is sold as unfinished does that refer to no paint job, or the axe edge (sharpness).

[russamurai]

I was interested in Base Camp's axes and asked in an email what justified the significant price, and directed a couple questions about why they were only emphasizing their designer handles with no mention of the forging nor anything a blade lover would want to know. I applaud some of their principles but who makes the heads and where? Does anybody here use one of their axes or are they wall-hangers? I never heard back from the folks over there.

[nickzdon]

I suspect the longer handle would be nicer. Is this the same handle that is used on the boys axe and Hudson bay axe ( that would be good thing). When the axe is sold as unfinished does that refer to no paint job, or the axe edge (sharpness).

"Unfinished" refers to the handle. It's given a light coat of linseed oil, but is not painted like some of the other axes Best Made sells. As for the bit, it's pretty damn good right out of the box. I was certainly impressed with its splitting ability. I think Council is doing a great job with these tools. Some blade nuts would probably want to do just a bit more touch up work on the edge to get it to their liking.

The helve design for the Best Made Hudson Bay is unique and is not the same as used on any Council axes.

Nick

[M3mphis]

Nick,

Are you guys doing any additional finishing on the steel?

Thanks,

Matt

[nickzdon]

Here's a pic of the BMC HB. Nothing handy to compare it to, but the profile does feel a little on the thick side. Probably accounts for its splitting performance. Looks to be thicker than other HBs on the market. So like I said, some blade nuts may want to thin out the profile of that beautiful 5160. I'm going to put it through its paces again this weekend before I make a decision on whether to do so or not.

photo.jpg

[Zombiechopper]

the link for that base x model you posted is basically a racing design. You can find something similar at Bailey's. Look for their competition work axe.

If you are willing to spend that kind of coin on an axe you could get a real Tuatahi race axe.

[nickzdon]

Nick,

Are you guys doing any additional finishing on the steel?

Thanks,

Matt

No. We're not quite set up to do so on a production basis.

Nick

[FortyTwoBlades]

I think that thinning the Hudson Bay would kind of defeat the point of what the pattern represents (to me at least)--it balances between chopping and splitting.

[Shotgun]

Here's a pic of the BMC HB. Nothing handy to compare it to, but the profile does feel a little on the thick side. Probably accounts for its splitting performance. Looks to be thicker than other HBs on the market. So like I said, some blade nuts may want to thin out the profile of that beautiful 5160. I'm going to put it through its paces again this weekend before I make a decision on whether to do so or not.

photo.jpg

I don't see it being thick. This one looks about perfect IMO.

[cattledog]

What is the Hudson Bay axe overall length/ weight? Is it a true 26.5 inches and three pounds? I am ready to buy one and I really like the handle on the Best Made model.
thanks

[FortyTwoBlades]

The handle is slightly shorter on the finished axe as some length is removed during hafting.

[cattledog]

The handle is slightly shorter on the finished axe as some length is removed during hafting.

Thanks but just how much is a little. I'm looking for a measurement.

[FortyTwoBlades]

1-2" I believe.

[nickzdon]

Actually the one I've got here in the shop measures at 26.5 inches exactly.

Nick

[nickzdon]

That same axe also weighs in at 3.4 lbs. I'm confirming that weight with the NYC workshop to be as accurate as possible.

Nick