Best Made Company?

[nicholases]

Hey fellas, I'm relatively new here and while I've commented once or twice I've never started my own post. My name's Nick and I just wanted to say thanks to all the regulars here as I've learned a lot from this forum. That being said, I came across a company called Best Made Company and, as you may have guessed, they make axes. I haven't seen them mentioned around here though and was wondering if anyone knew anything about them. Whether their work is worth the money and whether their axes perform well. My interest in knives has lead me to tomahawks which naturally lead me to legitimate axes. Still, I'm extremely new to them and have always felt that advice from folks with experience is worth it's weight in gold. Just wanting to start a general discussion as, sadly, I'm currently a city living apartment dweller. However, I do a fair amount of camping out on several friends land and really love the look of the Hudson Bay style of axe. If y'all would be willing to point a newb in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

 

[scouter27]

Their axes are good to go. The decorated pieces don't appeal to me, but they are all well made by Council Tool. They are similar to Council's Velvicut line, but made to BMC's specifications. There is a member here who works for them and I'm sure he'll be along.

 

[cooperhill]

Good axes. I have their unfinished felling axe.

I don't like the Hudson Bay axe (not just Best Made Co.'s hudson bay - all hudson bays). They may "look good" but I think they are poor performers. I'd take a look at Council tool and their Boy's axe and Forest Service spec boy's axe. Both in a good packing size and with lots of good reviews from people on this site and others.

Best Made should come out with a Boy's Axe. hint, hint.

 

[nickzdon]

My name is Nick Zdon and I represent Best Made here on the forum, and elsewhere online (although my BF Service Provider renewal hasn't come through yet).

The Hudson Bay pattern is a very popular pattern with those that need an axe to travel for canoeing and camping. It's a bit on the heavy side for hardcore backpacking expeditions, something smaller and lighter in the hatchet realm is better suited for that. But if you just need to toss it into a canoe or truck bed it's a great axe. A full sized axe (3.5-4 lbs) is a bit more versatile and will handle larger jobs, but I consider it a homesteading tool, for use on your own property and not needing to travel a great deal.

Cooperhill makes a good point, that not everyone likes the Hudson Bays. The pattern is one of the oldest in North America. The ancestors of today's Hudson Bays were trade axes brought to North America from France and Spain via the St. Lawrence in the 17th century. They often appeal to traditionalists. Some folks, like Coop, prefer a boy's axe as better performers since they have more contact area between the haft and head. This is the main reason I recommend full sized axes for heavier chopping/splitting duties.

Scouter is correct, all our axes are made to our specs by Council Tool in North Carolina. We developed these axes with them a little over a year ago. They are comparable to Council's Velvicut line in material quality and construction. All of our heads are 5160 steel, and all hafts are the highest grade hickory, with grain orientation that deviates no more than 30º left or right of center. The biggest difference between the Council Hudsons and the Best Made Hudsons is that the Best Mades come with a longer handle, 26.5" compared to 24" (before assembly) haft on the Council.

Feel free to send me a message if you have any more questions.

 

[Square_peg]

My name is Nick Zdon and I represent Best Made here on the forum....

All of our heads are 5160 steel, and all hafts are the highest grade hickory, with grain orientation that deviates no more than 30º left or right of center.

That's good to know. Your customers are guaranteed good steel and a good haft.

And I like the fact that you're willing to tell the public exactly what they're getting. Purveyors of lesser quality items would be scared to do that.

 

[nickzdon]

And I like the fact that you're willing to tell the public exactly what they're getting. Purveyors of lesser quality items would be scared to do that.

We've had a lot of discussions about that, and decided it's best to be completely open about it.