Best USA Made Axe?

I haven't checked their website, but I wonder if that could mean 45 for mauls and 55 for chopping axes?

Or perhaps 45 around the eye and 55 at the edge? In the TV program they made a point about how the cutting edges were hardened much more than the eyes.

DancesWithKnives
 
RWC 1988 said:
I found a ax marked Mann Lewistown PA, it is a big one 5 3/4 lbs 9 in long. do not know a lot about Mann company but this seems like a first class ax.
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Mann was a big guy on the US axe market. They bought the Collins name and the Norlund name years back. Sadly, they closed a bit back, 2004, I think.
 
With regard to Council Tool, perhaps someone should just give them a ring on the hardness issue?

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
I haven't checked their website, but I wonder if that could mean 45 for mauls and 55 for chopping axes?
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All the axes say 45-55, the mauls don't list hardness at all.

DWK2 said:
Or perhaps 45 around the eye and 55 at the edge? In the TV program they made a point about how the cutting edges were hardened much more than the eyes.
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If this is the case (I hope it is), I'd like to try one. :)
 
I always took the 45-55 Rockwell as progressive hardness the way an axe should be made. I have their Hudson Bay model with a leather sheath. My only issue with them was a steel center wedge (I tend to be a perfectionist). I bought a number of handles from them (when they still sold handles) and rehung mine to let the handle extend an 1/8" past the eye for better grip. After shaping the handle to the eye I used a thin layer of epoxy in the eye, a wood center wedge with a smear of epoxy, and steel cross wedge. I lacquer sealed each end of the handle and oil/wax finished the body. The axe is now a fine specimen. In my opinion they have good steel.

http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=17HBS18&ID=30
 
Your approach sounds incredibly durable. People buying stock Council Tool axes will be at least somewhat reassured to see on the TV show that the head on the axe tested exceeded their pull-off resistance requirement by 3 times the normal spec.

DancesWithKnives
 
My main issue with an aluminum center wedge is that it does not fill the eye end to end. A wood center wedge can be properly fitted to eliminate all voids. If you taper the end of the wedge it will curl off the ends as it is being driven into place. If you put epoxy (or gorilla glue) around the eye of the axe, a bit of epoxy into the bottom of the split in the handle, and smear epoxy on the wood wedge there are zero voids in the final install. The epoxy/glue also acts as a lubricant and allows the fitted handle and wedge to slide in much easier. When dry and sealed no moisture should enter or leave the wood in the axe eye. This is the key to longevity of the attachment--no voids to allow movement and a fairly constant moisture % in the wood of the eye.
 
mollyhatchet said:
Blue Sky is right, Snow and Nealley heads are imported.
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Well that sucks.
Anyone know when they switched?
Where are they made now?
A change in manufacturing location hasn't changed their prices as they certainly didn't lower theirs price at all in the last 2 or three years.
 
I just received a Hudson Bay from Council yesterday. I was looking for a small axe because it's been years since I had a decent axe. I've been chopping with khukuris, bolos and machetes. Time for a small axe. But it was this thread that prompted me to look at Council.

I looked around for online dealers carrying the Hudson Bay. I only found a couple, comparably priced, but neither was a store I recognized. Maybe a long time axe user would have recognized them. In the end I ordered directly from Council. The price was within a few dollars and I was curious to see what kind of company they were.

I placed the order late Thursday and received an automated confirmation immediately. First thing Tuesday morning I received an email from Margo Council thanking me for my support of their product line and Made in USA. Thursday I received and email from Kim Pierce saying my order had shipped and, again, thanking me for buying quality tools made in the USA. It showed up on my doorstep the following Tuesday.

On to the axe itself. It's a good looking tool. I haven't had a chance to try it out but it seems to be a good combo of handy size and chopping power. Straight grain handle with a pretty smooth finish. I'll probably sand it a bit and apply a few coats of linseed oil. But the handle is very usable as is. The head has black paint over most of it and clear laqcuer on the edge. There is a small but even V bevel on the very edge. It won't shave out of the box but the whole thing is nicely and evenly shaped. Head to haft fit is good.

Overall I'm very pleased. I got a good tool at a fair price, made by an old American company. Communication was quick as was shipping. The Council website stresses value. And I'd have to say their Hudson Bay looks to be a pretty good bang for the buck.

Frank
 
SilverFoxKnows said:
I just received a Hudson Bay from Council yesterday. I was looking for a small axe because it's been years since I had a decent axe. I've been chopping with khukuris, bolos and machetes. Time for a small axe. But it was this thread that prompted me to look at Council.

I looked around for online dealers carrying the Hudson Bay. I only found a couple, comparably priced, but neither was a store I recognized. Maybe a long time axe user would have recognized them. In the end I ordered directly from Council. The price was within a few dollars and I was curious to see what kind of company they were.

I placed the order late Thursday and received an automated confirmation immediately. First thing Tuesday morning I received an email from Margo Council thanking me for my support of their product line and Made in USA. Thursday I received and email from Kim Pierce saying my order had shipped and, again, thanking me for buying quality tools made in the USA. It showed up on my doorstep the following Tuesday.

On to the axe itself. It's a good looking tool. I haven't had a chance to try it out but it seems to be a good combo of handy size and chopping power. Straight grain handle with a pretty smooth finish. I'll probably sand it a bit and apply a few coats of linseed oil. But the handle is very usable as is. The head has black paint over most of it and clear laqcuer on the edge. There is a small but even V bevel on the very edge. It won't shave out of the box but the whole thing is nicely and evenly shaped. Head to haft fit is good.

Overall I'm very pleased. I got a good tool at a fair price, made by an old American company. Communication was quick as was shipping. The Council website stresses value. And I'd have to say their Hudson Bay looks to be a pretty good bang for the buck.

Frank
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Good to know. I've been looking for a good double-bit and a good hatchet, and GB's offerings are a bit pricey for a poor college student.
 
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I emailed Kim about the RC rating of the axe. She replied the very next day and this is what she said.

"The poll end is not heat treated at all. The blade is heat treated with in the 45-55 RC range. Since the poll end is not heat treated, it is safe to use the struck end to drive metal stakes in the ground. We are pleased you are happy with the tool. I know you will get many years of use from it!"

I'm hoping to give the little Hudson Bay a workout this weekend. If the axe is as good as the folks at Council I'll probably order more from them. I've been pleased by the whole experience. I'd never heard of Council before this thread. Thanks guys.

Frank
 
My best and favorite axe out of the 6 American made axes I have is still my good ole Collins double bit.--KV
 
To the best of my knowledge Council and Vaughan are the last two companies offering full sized axes made 100% made in the USA. I plan to purchase a couple from Council after the dust settles from Christmas.
 
I found a Collins Hudson Bay Axe at a logging supply company in Oregon over Thanksgiving. The owner bought a bunch of Collins Axes from a company that went out of business a while ago and the Hudson Bay had been sitting there for years until I saw it. It does not surprise me that it went unnoticed since a logging supply companies clientele is looking for full size axes. The handle is great with perfect grain and direction.

The Axe in total weighs 2.5 pounds.

It cost $35. :)

Geoff
 
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