Council Tool 3.5 Lb. Jersey - opinions?

Double Ott said:
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.

Double Ott: Those are both beautiful axes! I'm experiencing axe envy!
Click to expand...
 
High_Noon said:
Double Ott said:
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.

Double Ott: Those are both beautiful axes! I'm experiencing axe envy!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your kind words. I'm partial to vintage Kellys. I have around 50+ of them. The Council Dayton is their Velvicut version. Both are very nice axes.

My regards, Tom
Click to expand...
 
It's all good! It's on the back burner for me right now which is why I offered it up. Trying to haft all the heads I have (7 of the buggers). The less maples I need to drag in from the woods the better lol.
 
Good news! I just scored a Kelly/True Temper Flint Edge 3.5# head w/o phantom bevels in very good shape for $28.00 (+$6.00 shipping) on the fleabay! I plan to use it for felling and bucking. It has very minor mushrooming and a very small chip in the bit, but otherwise it is in very good shape. Now to order a good 30-32" House Handle, find a 4-5# Kelly Perfect Michigan like Toms for splitting... and then there's that Kelly Perfect Jersey I have my eye on... Uh Oh... This is addicting ain't it?

Also... What's the difference between BLO and DPG and which is better? I can get DPG off fleabay, but I have not found a source for BLO.
 
Boiled linseed oil is a penetrating wood finish. It forms a light coating on the surface. DPG (dipropylene glycol) is a wood swelling agent among other things. It's often used as a base in perfumes. It is non-toxic. It's great for swelling a wedge and should be used in re-handling an axe.

I never put BLO in the kerf or on the wedge until after I've finished hanging the axe. I'll prefinish a haft with BLO before hanging but I don't put oil in the kerf because I think it would seal it from the DPG. I apply DPG to the wedge and kerf just before final assembly. Later I'll coat the top of the wedge with BLO or tung oil.

I like to give a haft a couple coats of BLO topped by a couple coats of tung oil. The tung oil builds up more of a coating and has a grippier feel than BLO.

BLO does wonders for old dried out axe handles - rejuvenating them surprisingly well. An old haft will actually regain some strength as the BLO hardens over a period of days.
 
Square Peg said;

"DPG (dipropylene glycol) is a wood swelling agent among other things. It's often used as a base in perfumes. It is non-toxic. It's great for swelling a wedge and should be used in re-handling an axe. "

I use "Swel Lock" it is basically DPG (dipropylene glycol) on my wood wedges and in the kerf on the handle before I set the wedge. I never had a wedge back out doing it this way.

Great explanation Peg...

Tom
 
Alocksly said:
Most any hardware store will carry it. I get mine from Lowes.
Click to expand...

I didn't realize BLO was Boiled Linseed Oil. Yes, I can find it at the hardware store. Thanks.

& great job a-coppin' with that Council Jersey!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top