Council Tool Premium Velvicut Axes

Joezilla

Joezilla

Moderator- Wilderness and Survival Skills
Moderator
Joined
Jul 22, 2005
Messages
4,360
Hey Guys,

Looks like Council is making a new line of axes. I got this in an email today.
Thoughts? I really like the box presentation. I wish they stuck with hickory, though I never have had a sapwood axe handle before:

"Exciting news! The first Velvicut® axes are nearing completion, and they are stunning.

With Velvicut® tools, seasoned Council Tool craftsmen combine 125 years of tool making know-how, modern techniques, and excellent materials. Premium axes are drop forged from alloy steel for strength and toughness. Heads are rough ground and profiled in a robotic work cell. Bits are quenched and tempered for superior edge holding. Bit sharpening is by hand – and an experienced one at that – with increasingly fine grit abrasives and finished with leather. Custom handles, selected for grain orientation and density, are grade “A” American hickory, white sapwood, or red hardwood. Axe heads are lightly oiled and left unpainted to showcase the natural steel beauty.

This top-of-the-line, world class axe is made for the serious user, collector, outdoorsman, or tool aficionado. It is not for everyone but rather for those who seek the best.

JP40DV36C IN BOX2500px.jpg

Your package will include the axe and leather sheath in a commemorative box and is $169.95. Every component is Made in USA."

image001.jpg
 
look really nice, is it a jersey pattern head? joe from the description sounds like they are using hickory.
 
I applaud this American axe maker for making strides to improve quality.

Below is a comparison of the Velvicut line with Council Tools' regular axes:

Velvicut®:
drop forged from alloy steel...
rough ground and profiled in a robotic work cell...
Bits are quenched and tempered for superior edge holding...
Bit sharpening is by hand... with increasingly fine grit abrasives...
and finished with leather...
Custom handles, selected for grain orientation and density...
grade “A” American hickory...
Axe heads are lightly oiled and left unpainted...
Your package will include the axe and leather sheath
in a commemorative box...
List price $169.95
Every component is Made in USA.


Other Council Tools axes:
drop forged from high quality tool steel...
abrasive robotic work cell...
Cutting edges are then heat treated and tempered... Rc 48-55...
The final sharpening of the cutting edge is by hand using fine grit abrasives...
Heads are either painted or lacquered to deter rust...
all polished surfaces are lacquered or oiled...
American hickory handles..
Handles are affixed to the heads using an extruded aluminum wedge...
List price $55.30 (for 4# Dayton head, 36" curved handle)
Proudly Made in USA
40DR36C.gif

http://www.counciltool.com/DisplayCategories.asp?pg=displaycategories&category=10
http://www.counciltool.com/product.asp?pg=product&item=40DR36C

Lots of similarities.
Big differences: the Velvicut has a leather-stropped edge, has no paint, and comes with sheath, presumably better handle, presumably better QA, and a commemmorative box.
And the price difference (3 times the price!).
Unknowns: Wedge
 
I'm told the final product will be out in April. I am testing one of the prototypes now, and they show promise. I'll give you more details as soon as I am allowed. I know they are still putting on the finishing touches.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/
 
The axe itself sounds awesome and it makes me happy to see them doing this. Couldn't think of a more gay name for an axe than "velvicut" though...will have to work through that one.
 
rg598 said:
I'm told the final product will be out in April. I am testing one of the prototypes now, and they show promise. I'll give you more details as soon as I am allowed. I know they are still putting on the finishing touches.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Must be nice getting sent a prototype Ross :rolleyes:

Except for a few hardened axe veterans in the forums, nobody knew who Council Tool was, or at least didn't have an idea about their actual quality or how they compared before I wrote my posts last year here and at Bushcraft USA. I was also the person who introduced them to these forums, and in case anyone thinks I'm laying it on a bit thick, take a look at what was posted about Council prior to my threads and you'll see it was pretty much a mystery axe company.

People weren't interested because their pictures were poor, they listed their axes' bit hardness as low as 45 RC, there were no reviews anywhere, and they listed their all of their handles with the wrong length, etc etc. In other words, they were a mess when compared to their competitors. I could go on but you get the picture.

I did quite a bit of research on them along with having many conversations with their management before anyone even knew what was going on last year, so it's very disappointing that I wasn't offered a review or to work with them on a prototype as I had originally requested. I actually use axes on a daily basis to keep my family's mountain home heated, so it would have been a great test environment.

Now, I'm sorry to say that they have lost me as one of their main cheerleaders here. I simply wanted to promote an American axe company that could compete with Wetterlings and Gransfors, not only for the cool factor, but to support the US economy, which needs all the help it can get. I still stand by this ideal, but not for Council anymore. I layed the groundwork for them, so now it's up to them to carry the torch forward. Notwithstanding anything else, I wish them the best of luck with their expensive new axes.

Regards, CW
 
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coloradowildman said:
It must be nice getting a prototype to test Ross :rolleyes:

Except for a very few hardened axe veterans pretty much nobody knew who Council Tool was or at least didn't have an idea about the actual quality or how they compared before I wrote my posts last year here and at Bushcraft USA. I also introduced them to these forums as well, and in case anyone thinks I'm laying it on a bit thick, take a look at what was around about Council prior to my threads and you'll see it was pretty much a mystery axe company! Nobody wanted to buy one because their pictures sucked, they listed the bit as possibly being as low as 45 RC, no reviews anywhere, and they listed the handles lengths wrong, etc etc. I could go on but you get the picture.

I did quite a bit of research on them along with many conversations with their staff before anyone even knew what was going on last year, so it's very dissapointing that I wasn't offered to review or work with them on a prototype as I had originally requested. I actually use my axes to keep our mountain home warm everyday, so it would have been a great test environment. Now I'm sorry to say that they lost one of their main cheerleaders here over this. I simply wanted an American axe company to compete with Wetterlings and Gransfors, both for the cool factor and most especially to support the US economy, which needs all the help it can get. I still stand by this, but not by Council anymore. I layed the groundwork, now it'll be up to them, and notwithstanding anything else, wish them the best of luck with their expensive new axes.

Regards, CW
Click to expand...

Dude! Deep breaths! Maybe it's exactly because you are such a strong supporter that they overlooked you. Maybe they didn't want to seem bias. Besides, I'm sure that them being a company for over 100 years had a bit more to do with them being known than anything any of us have said on the forums. :)
 
Very happy to see US mfg. company putting the effort into a better quality product made here. I am looking forward to the release of the axes and will more than likely order one to give them support.
 
Originally Posted by RG598 "Dude! Deep breaths! "

Ross, please spare me the patronizing attitude. You didn't jump on the Council Tool bandwagon until after other people were buying them, and a simple search of the threads reveals that nobody wanted to buy a Council axe before I started writing about them. People were not interested in an axe with an overly wide hardness range of 45-55RC at the bit, or, a 28" handled Hudson Bay axe from them. Plus, their photos were abysmal (and I told them this). EDITED
 
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Gosh, maybe he saw the Steven Dick Article in TK over a year ago, or the tour of the factory on modern marvels axes, that came out in 2008.

Jealous much?
 
Joezilla said:
Gosh, maybe he saw the Steven Dick Article in TK over a year ago, or the tour of the factory on modern marvels axes, that came out in 2008.

Jealous much?
Click to expand...

So, Condor Queen wants to chime in :) How those sales and returns goin'? If you actually read my post, I said that some of the hard core axe guys knew about them, but then again, I don't think your post was done for everyone's enlightenment. You and some of the other individuals connected with you like to leave all these "cute" little comments on my posts because I call out BS when I see it, and Lord knows you guys have left a lot of BS here. Although Ross has been very snarky towards others, he has also done lots of good writeups too. He just needs to learn some humility with his posts towards others. So call out your goons to post a bunch of crap like last time, because it just doesn't bother me. Guys that hide behind computers and get smart with people aren't considered tough where I'm from, so these comments are meaningless to me.
 
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Can we stay on topic please? Off-topic bickering ruins threads, which is especially unfortunate when discussing items that people are interested in. I don't know who is right or wrong, and frankly I don't care. This is not the place for this kind of talk.

I'm interested in seeing how this new line of axes perform. New steel and better fit and finish should help, I've never had a Council axe but have heard mostly positive things about them.
 
I would think it would be a hard sell at that price, especially with the competition out there. But I guess like it is posted, it is for guys and gals serious about this sort of thing, which to me, is a good thing.
 
I would love to see them make a smaller axe too.
 
BRab said:
Can we stay on topic please? Off-topic bickering ruins threads, which is especially unfortunate when discussing items that people are interested in. I don't know who is right or wrong, and frankly I don't care. This is not the place for this kind of talk.

I'm interested in seeing how this new line of axes perform. New steel and better fit and finish should help, I've never had a Council axe but have heard mostly positive things about them.
Click to expand...

BRab, I completely agree, though I'd take the further step of conversing with other members as if we were all talking in person, which means not telling folks to "chill out" or calling them an axe "snob" as well as other antagonizing comments that have been left for me and other members because of our points of view. It's funny because all these Council threads are because of my research and writings, contrary to what Joe is trying to pass off. They were in the axe "black sheep" category before and now they just might become an American Gransfors, provided the axes live up to the cost and hype, and I think this part is wonderful. My relations with them have suffered, and call me sour grapes, but I feel like the guy at work who came up with the great idea, worked it to fruition, and then the boss gave the raise to somebody else not connected with the project. I hope that Council gets it right with some great new axes, and even if I'm the "black sheep" here, I hope everyone benefits from it.

PS- Regarding Ross (RG598), I actually enjoy his reviews. I'm not usually such a harsh person but I guess that him leaving some sniping comments on some other posts (including calling me an axe "snob" for questioning why Wetterlings heads keep coming off) and then telling me to "chill out" today when it was uncalled for put me on edge. He needs to learn some humility, especially if he's trying to establish himself as an expert and a major force on the internet. He has a tendency to put people down with less money to spend and that has been my problem (moderator, not trying to start anything, just clarifying my position while also giving kudos to Ross's reviews).
 
I haven't been too impressed by Council's axes based on the four I've seen so far.

Their quality control is abysmal and they let products ship that should not have left the factory.

I'd like to see one of the Velvicut to see if they can make a quality axe to compete with those of the Swedes, and if they can, wish them luck in marketing the line and making money off it. I am not sure how you break into a niche market like axes when the competition is as strong as it is from Gransfors Bruks and Wetterlings, but I have noticed a decline in QA from those two companies that Council might be able to take advantage of, if their products are of quality.

I won't buy one until I am convinced that it is of the quality I want, so we'll have to see what they produce.
 
I'll tell ya, I would not pay $170.00 for an axe when I can buy better axes in junk and antiques stores and yard sales for 5 to 20 bucks. I only wish there were hawks to be found in the same places. I have about 10 assorted axes and hatchets that are all high quality pieces and I haven't spent close to $170.00 for all of them including buying handles when needed.

Best regards

Robin
 
Pipeman said:
I'll tell ya, I would not pay $170.00 for an axe when I can buy better axes in junk and antiques stores and yard sales for 5 to 20 bucks. I only wish there were hawks to be found in the same places. I have about 10 assorted axes and hatchets that are all high quality pieces and I haven't spent close to $170.00 for all of them including buying handles when needed.

Best regards

Robin
Click to expand...

I feel the same way. I'm interested to hear how the quality is in the final product, but I won't buy one because my vintage axes are as good or better than anything made today. I would still like to see an American company making some of the best axes around for those looking to buy a new axe.
 
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