Does anyone have a Council Tool 3.5 Lb. Jersey Classic with 36" Straight Handle? If so, what is your opinion of this axe compared to say, a vintage Kelly/True Temper Jersey? I'd like to get a vintage, but who knows when/if I'll run across one for a decent price. Although, I'd probably prefer a 32" haft, at $49.95, the Council seems like a good deal for a quality USA made Jersey. What say you?
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Council Tool 3.5 Lb. Jersey - opinions?
- Thread starter High_Noon
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Speaking as someone who finds, spiffs up and sells lots of axes, I can tell you that a nice Plumb or Collins 3.5lb Jersey in clean shape, a good 28-32" handle etc. will sell for between $50-60. I'm talking about a nice one. Not a prime showpiece, but a very nice, standard, not abused, minimal rust/pitting/mushrooming, fully usable condition- not a museum piece.
Just a head like that will be in the $30 ballpark, plus a handle if you want to go that way.
Thanks. I can spend more that $50.00, but the nice Jersey heads I see on fleabay sell for around $80.00+ I seen a nice Kelly Jersey head and a good haft sell for 130.00+ on there. Obviously not the place to look for one, but I don't have any options for finding a good vintage one in my neck of the woods. I'll keep my eye open for one when I travel...
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Those may be outliers, but there should be many others in the range that I mentioned. I mean, I know that there are.
Search for vintage axe, then sort through the listings. If you search for Jersey axe, most won't show up as the people selling them don't know what a Jersey is and won't put it in the description. I have an awesome one, but it's not ready to go yet and I am torn about selling it anyway, but there are many.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-3-1...914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5415e6dbaa
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kel...843?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item462e57bdab
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-Simmons...386?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9605ec0a
http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-jer...352?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4ac17b90
This is just in the first few pages, I bet that there are great ones in there is you poke around.
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I don't own one, but I have handled one in the store down the street. They are a little rough around the edges (needs some sanding and sharpening), and you'll have to make or buy a sheath once it's sharp, but overall it does feel nice in the hand. However, I think just about any axe will need a little modification to the user's preferences (i.e. thinning the handle, adding a finish, getting the profile and sharpness for the intended use, etc). So if you don't want to take the time to find/buy/refurb a vintage axe, the CT Jersey would be a great option for a new axe. I've never used a new one, but based on the refurbed ones I have and had, the one that got used so far did excellent via a report from my family member, and was still shaving sharp after splitting some wood. I think it would be a great option, even the best at the price, for a new axe. Just be prepared to finish it up to how you like it (which is half the fun anyway). I know it's probably the one I would buy if I were in the market for a new axe.
I once got a nice early craftsman jersey on fleabay for $25 + $15 for shipping. Perfect old handle in great shape. People want to follow the trends and choose what vintage axes to bid on based on the trends, which reinforces them. That's fine, exploit it. No reason that a vintage Kelly will be any better of a user than a vintage Plumb, but the plumb will sure be cheaper. I restored a Plumb Anchor Brand hatchet (20's - 30's) a couple months ago, and I can honestly say it was the best steel I've seen in an axe in terms of taking and holding an insanely sharp edge. They're out there.
Not saying this is a great price, but it's still under 100 with a much better handle than anything new.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plumb-Axe-Plumb-Single-Bit-Axe-with-Nice-Hickory-Handle-Nice-Patina-USA-/161487485391?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25996779cf
Gorgeous handle
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-PLUMB-AXE-3-LBS-NICE-/351248815239?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51c80f9487
Not saying this is a great price, but it's still under 100 with a much better handle than anything new.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plumb-Axe-Plumb-Single-Bit-Axe-with-Nice-Hickory-Handle-Nice-Patina-USA-/161487485391?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25996779cf
Gorgeous handle
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-PLUMB-AXE-3-LBS-NICE-/351248815239?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51c80f9487
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I've got a 1920s craftsman rockaway pattern head, 3.5 lbs, I might part with if you're interested. Never sold anything online before but hell first time for everything. I'll throw pictures up in a bit.
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Why do you want an axe? Are you going to use it or look at it? I like vintage stuff if it saves it from the smelter and preserves a tradition. It is a way to get good quality at a reasonable price also, but there is an additional set of circumstances to consider also.
Council is a rare bird, a US company making a tool in the US and actually selling it at a reasonable price, not a hobbyist or foreign subsidy making "proper axes" for dudes/pretenders and selling at enthusiast prices. Kelly isn't coming back no matter how much you pay for a perfect or black raven on the bay, and you just encourage the picker/trader/collector/speculator crowd anyway. If Council makes a decent axe that fits your needs, buy it now or pay for it later online. If this sentiment offends anyone, my aopologies; some exaggeration is made for effect.
The jersey classic looks decent, although I prefer painted w/o phantom bevels. 3.5# is the standard because it works. Straight handle is excellent for all around use. Length is dependent on your build, application, and preference, not to mention fashion trends. I have a hard time seeing how 4 extra inches is going to affect anyone significantly, esp. On a straight handle.
Anyway, you may or may not find that axe suitable for your needs. It is, however, just as likely to work for you as some idealized assembly of vintage and/or premium parts that meets the "requirements" of internet/virtual users...
Council is a rare bird, a US company making a tool in the US and actually selling it at a reasonable price, not a hobbyist or foreign subsidy making "proper axes" for dudes/pretenders and selling at enthusiast prices. Kelly isn't coming back no matter how much you pay for a perfect or black raven on the bay, and you just encourage the picker/trader/collector/speculator crowd anyway. If Council makes a decent axe that fits your needs, buy it now or pay for it later online. If this sentiment offends anyone, my aopologies; some exaggeration is made for effect.
The jersey classic looks decent, although I prefer painted w/o phantom bevels. 3.5# is the standard because it works. Straight handle is excellent for all around use. Length is dependent on your build, application, and preference, not to mention fashion trends. I have a hard time seeing how 4 extra inches is going to affect anyone significantly, esp. On a straight handle.
Anyway, you may or may not find that axe suitable for your needs. It is, however, just as likely to work for you as some idealized assembly of vintage and/or premium parts that meets the "requirements" of internet/virtual users...
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Last summer I did a splitting test with a Council Dayton and a vintage Kelly Perfect Michigan (with bevels). Both axes were similar in weight and cutting bit.
It was a draw.
I think that Council Tool makes a very fine axe, if not one of the best for the money. I would buy a CT Jersey with complete confidence.
[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/user/doubleott/media/Kelly%20Perfect%20vs%20Council%20Velvicut/KellyPerfectvsCouncilVelicut004.jpg.html]
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Tom
It was a draw.
I think that Council Tool makes a very fine axe, if not one of the best for the money. I would buy a CT Jersey with complete confidence.
[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/user/doubleott/media/Kelly%20Perfect%20vs%20Council%20Velvicut/KellyPerfectvsCouncilVelicut004.jpg.html]
[/URL]Tom
Thanks everyone for the advice. I do plan to use the axe, not just look at it. I've always appreciated vintage stuff as the quality is often superior. I am looking for an full-size axe I can use for felling and splitting. I'm not a huge fan of mauls, so I'm looking for an axe that has enough heft/size that can be utilized for splitting as well as bucking & felling. I have back problems, so I don't want something too heavy. My S&N Boy's axe is great, but I need something with a bit more heft to do serious splitting. I already have several axes that get fairly significant use, a S&N boy's axe I really like, a Plumb broad or hewing hatchet (does not get much use) a Swedish hatchet, a Collins Boy's axe and a ~ 30 year old True Temper Double Bit 3.2 that probably needs a refurb. I am not at all adverse to restoring a vintage axe, which is why I've been looking for one on fleabay. & the potential candidate does not have to be a Kelly (although I like 'em). I do like Plumbs, Sager, True Temper, etc... I also like the new Council Velvicuts, but they're pricey. I will definitely continue to look on fleabay. Thanks again!
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All valid points. I don't have any "requirements", he specifically requested opinions, so we suggested options. Some people are looking for, and I supply, quality heads or axes for a variety of reasons. They could want a quality working tool that they enjoy knowing has some history, or they want a project for the fun of it. Could be all of the above. However, I certainly support the idea that some may just want a good tool at a good price and are happy to buy one new. I too am happy that a company like Council exists, and I fully support that option. Everyone has different needs, and that's good.
On a side note, if anyone needs a tool or two for their own use, it is not hard to find nice things locally if you look. I have found nice axes for $5 regularly at yard sales and estate sales, and from $10-15 at antique shops. If you want to do a little looking you don't have to pay what they go for on eBay.
I didn't even have any of the responses in mind when I wrote that. Sorry if I seemed to. Mainly, I was just trying to figure out where he was coming from. A lot of time people get strange ideas from dubious sources like wranglerstar on YouTube and make things a little more complicated than necessary.
30 years ago, I was happy to purchase a new S&N Boy's axe. It was a quality, USA made product & I have used it a great deal with excellent results. Council Tool appears to be one of the few, if not the only remaining USA manufacturer of axes and I would be happy to purchase one of their products as well. I am aware that S&N was recently purchased and is farming out their new axe heads to a US manufacturer, but the jury is still out on the quality. But I do like the idea of restoring a great axe and putting it back into service. I am not in a hurry, so I will continue to look for a vintage axe that meeds my requirements. Maybe I'll get a new Council too! After all, I don't view having "too many" axes or tools as a problem!
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Agreed. :thumbup:
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That's the beauty of it, having two options and deciding on both! I've looked at those Councils too, not the beveled one though, I like the other one.
Square_peg
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If you actually want to do some felling and bucking then I'd suggest a 3.5 pound axe on a 32" haft. But if you'll be using this primarily as a splitter then I'd suggest going with a heavier 36" axe. Council's Dayton pattern is available in weights up to 6 pounds. I think you'd find a 4 or 5 pound axe to be a noticeably better splitter than a 3.5 pound axe. A 5 pounder is night & day different from a 3.5 pounder when it comes to splitting. Even a 4 pounder would be a significant improvement.
Duly noted. Thank you. Perhaps a 3.2 lb. double bit would be better for felling and bucking and a 4 lb. + for splitting? The benefit of such a set-up would be that I'd have the option of purchasing more axes!