Council Tool Flying Fox

I've tested a lot with that punch. So I'm familiar with how much it usually dents (or doesn't) hardened steel. I was surprised at the depth it dented it. But I learned that doesn't necessarily translate to the poll not being sufficiently hardened. I expected more damage from driving the nails but was pleased when none occurred. I've since driven another few nails. 16p spikes this time into dry spruce and had the same result. No marks whatsoever. So even though the very surface wasn't as hard as I thought it would be it's plenty hard enough.
 
I don't have a Vaughn hammer. But I do have both a plumb and TT half hatchet handy.

15710252012677647904423930911814.jpg
First the TT; (both examples are right in the center)
15710252406158331160991305207571.jpg
Not much of a dent.
And the Plumb;
15710252880592689288926422711325.jpg
Almost exactly the same. That's what I was expecting with the F Fox.

The council;
P1BXt9A.jpg

Another thing I've noticed is that the hardness of the poll usually closely matches that of the bit. I didn't thwack any of the above hatchets on the bit but I've found that on others I have tested.
Fortunately the Council's main employment will not be getting hit with a hardened punch. And it seems it's plenty hard enough to hold up to a tent stake and nails or any size wooden stake.
 
Last edited:
Rehung my personal head on a stock 24" Council boy's axe handle. The fore-end taper of the tongue on the boy's axe handle was a little more narrow than the fore-end on the Flying Fox's "large hatchet eye" so I used an ash dowel wedge in addition to the walnut wedge to expand the fore-end at the top of the eye. I did run into a little trouble in getting it to sit straight, probably due to the ridges in the eye in conjunction with the slightly narrow tongue, but I got it close enough to the point where it was only off by a cosmetic amount. The resulting fitted length is about 22", and it feels great on this length. I do know that they plan on releasing a longer-handled version in the near future, but I think it'll be a little shorter than this and straight-handled rather than curved. For the role this head fills at this length, I think I like this length and a curved handle best. Very impressive chopper for its short overall length and light head weight.

72275770_10219674960772993_6370396115921010688_n.jpg


72846559_10219674961093001_1339899779102015488_n.jpg


73504733_10219674961533012_4228264332179275776_n.jpg


72348942_10219674862410534_2416491202233761792_o.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Rehung my personal head on a stock 24" Council boy's axe handle. The fore-end taper of the tongue on the boy's axe handle was a little more narrow than the fore-end on the Flying Fox's "large hatchet eye" so I used an ash dowel wedge in addition to the walnut wedge to expand the fore-end at the top of the eye. I did run into a little trouble in getting it to sit straight, probably due to the ridges in the eye in conjunction with the slightly narrow tongue, but I got it close enough to the point where it was only off by a cosmetic amount. The resulting fitted length is about 22", and it feels great on this length. I do know that they plan on releasing a longer-handled version in the near future, but I think it'll be a little shorter than this and straight-handled rather than curved. For the role this head fills at this length, I think I like this length and a curved handle best. Very impressive chopper for its short overall length and light head weight.

72275770_10219674960772993_6370396115921010688_n.jpg


72846559_10219674961093001_1339899779102015488_n.jpg


73504733_10219674961533012_4228264332179275776_n.jpg


72348942_10219674862410534_2416491202233761792_o.jpg
Click to expand...
#CHIPMUNK_APPROVED
Chop, chop
Use that poll
Crack me some nuts
 
crbnSteeladdict said:
#CHIPMUNK_APPROVED
Chop, chop
Use that poll
Crack me some nuts
Click to expand...
That's my good li'l buddy, Frances. I've always got a few peanuts in my pocket for her any time I leave the house, just in case she's out. Her burrow entrance is right at the foot of the house steps. :D She was out and about while I was messing around with the finished hang and decided to see if I had any snacks for her, which of course I did. :)
 
Yankee Josh said:
I don't have a Vaughn hammer. But I do have both a plumb and TT half hatchet handy.

View attachment 1213139
First the TT; (both examples are right in the center)
View attachment 1213140
Not much of a dent.
And the Plumb;
View attachment 1213141
Almost exactly the same. That's what I was expecting with the F Fox.

The council;
P1BXt9A.jpg

Another thing I've noticed is that the hardness of the poll usually closely matches that of the bit. I didn't thwack any of the above hatchets on the bit but I've found that on others I have tested.
Fortunately the Council's main employment will not be getting hit with a hardened punch. And it seems it's plenty hard enough to hold up to a tent stake and nails or any size wooden stake.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that. My Flying Fox will be used to cut things and a hammer for "hammer things". In a pinch I see myself using it for much of what you mentioned.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
That's my good li'l buddy, Frances. I've always got a few peanuts in my pocket for her any time I leave the house, just in case she's out. Her burrow entrance is right at the foot of the house steps. :D She was out and about while I was messing around with the finished hang and decided to see if I had any snacks for her, which of course I did. :)
Click to expand...
Whenever I run into Pika or Prairie Dogs I just have to sit and watch.
For some reason it just cracks me up the way chubby Pika moves, jumps around boulders dragging twigs, making all kind of noises.
If any of you are going to visit Mesa Verde, stop by Taco Bell in Cortez, Co for a lunch. There is empty lot adjacent to Taco Bell's parking lot. I spent two hours just sitting in my car watching social behavior of Prairie Dogs from the safe (possibility of plague infested fleas) distance.
Soft Taco: $1.29 ...watching Prairie Dogs: Priceless
 
Last edited:
Nice little axes guys,good for you.

I'd definitely consider chamfering the edges of that poll though,no matter how hard or not hard it is...
(for a` number of reasons...actually,the reason that so many axes sustain such unpleasant damage to their poll(not that one ought to Ever strike there) is this peculiar lack of custom to break those sharp edges,on tools old or new...Sharp corners on a tool don't even Look right,let alone function properly,and that mushroom begins to roll over instantly...unnecessary,that).
 
Nice looking change to that Flying Fox Benjamin. I am enjoying the photographs of the Fox and Frances. As for the Pika, I had to look that one up. The Mrs. and I thought the head looked like a rabbit.. Well who'da thunk it ... they are cousins! I, too, have watched Prairie Dog behavior, but in South Dakota mostly.
 
Last edited:
rxavage said:
I’ll be ordering one as soon as baryonyx has more in stock
Click to expand...

Literally just had more land today, so I added them to inventory. Should be all set. :p

jake pogg said:
Nice little axes guys,good for you.

I'd definitely consider chamfering the edges of that poll though,no matter how hard or not hard it is...
(for a` number of reasons...actually,the reason that so many axes sustain such unpleasant damage to their poll(not that one ought to Ever strike there) is this peculiar lack of custom to break those sharp edges,on tools old or new...Sharp corners on a tool don't even Look right,let alone function properly,and that mushroom begins to roll over instantly...unnecessary,that).
Click to expand...

It varies piece to piece, but only some polls have squared-up edges. The die itself plus the ore-blasting generate a rounded edge, but the finish grinding that removes the parting line of the drop forging can end up squaring an edge or three on the poll face. :thumbsup:
 
rxavage said:
Now the wait begins.
Click to expand...

Thankfully, my wait is over! :)
I have received my Flying Fox today from FortyTwoBlades. :cool:

It is a mighty hatchet, something I would call a true hand axe!
Quite hefty, really well designed and executed.
In many ways it seems to be overbuilt for its roles, which I really like in a tool.
I think in the wood processing department it would give the Gransfor Bruks SFA a run for its money. It might even outperform it.
While it is not "handforged", it does look good too.

Council Tool did a great job with this one! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
When that sound knot showed up it broke my heart. It'll be okay though, left a little thick it actually feels good with that light little head.

Eta: This is fabulous for bushcraft. The thin bit works well for delicate tasks, carving, takes down *small trees swiftly, etc. I've enjoyed it. But it doesn't split as well as a similarly-sized traditionally shaped hatchet, as expected.
 
Last edited:
Fmont said:
I should report. I hammered some drywall screws through a 2x8 and into some end grain. Minor denting, not bad at all. That's all I need to know, because I definitely won't be framing with it.

View attachment 1219291
View attachment 1219292 View attachment 1219293 View attachment 1219294 View attachment 1219295 View attachment 1219297
Click to expand...
I'll second that... super nice job job with that helve! Gorgeous! And that swell looks so inviting... come swing me!!
After making hafts I get a certain level of enjoyment in simply seeing one that someone else made. Especially when it's done well! I bet it's a joy to use.
 
As a note, drywall screws are actually pretty hard as far as fasteners go. Typical specification is for a minimum hardness of 44 with 52-58 being common. JIS 1125 specification calls for a minimum surface hardness of 55.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top