Council Tool Axe Quality Difference

[Henryseale]

I am a relative novice to serious axe useage. I have never handled a Council Tool axe, but from what I have read, they seem to be very well thought of. What I am curious about is what is the real difference between their regular line of axes and their Velvicut line, other than price? I see by the photos that the Velvicuts are finsihed much nicer and are certainly, at least to me, much more attractive, but do they actually cut any better than their regular line if both are sharpened to the same degree? Is it that they swing any different? I'm not trying to be a "smart Alek" here, I really want to know. From the photos, the Velvicuts sure look more impressive. Isn't the metal the same, but just better finished for the Velvicut? Also, how does a modern Velvicut compare to a GB, HB, TrueTemper, etc.? I currently have two unmarked axes, one of which I suspect is a common Collins. Nothing collectable or particularly desireable, just good hardware store axes. Thanks for the response!

 

[Bo T]

From what I've read I think the Velvicut has a more uniform temper from ax to ax.

 

[RockyMtnBushcraft]

The Velvicut line uses premium 5160 steel, while the regular Council Tool axes use an unknown medium carbon steel. Council Tool tempers all of their steel soft in comparison to most manufacturers, new or vintage. I find that this makes them a little harder to get really sharp, when compared to axes produced by Nordic countries, or most vintage American axes, for instance. One advantage is they are more chip and break resistant in the dead of winter, when steel can become brittle from extreme cold. My preference is for an axe to have good, hard steel, like on Gransfors Bruks or vintage American axes. It's ultimately up to your personal preference.

 

[Square_peg]

I've noticed that the Velvicuts have premium handles. The handle on the Velvicut felling axe is especially nice with a full unclipped fawn's foot like the handles of old.