Council Tool...S&N or Hults Bruk?

[Blackcloud]

Considering another axe. My wants are 2#+, 28-30 inch handle, enough angle to split and not get stuck continuously and a it should chop or cut well. Give me your picks and whys of these 3 companies.

 

[Blackcloud]

No comments so I guess I'll go with a new Snow & Heally 3 1/2# head with the 30" handle.

 

[David Martin]

I'm very pleased with my Hults. A 3.75 lb. ax. Good for general work. Even splitting
for many wood types. DM

 

[David Martin]

The eye is large on my Hults but the pole is hardened.
Council makes a very good 5 1/2 lb. splitting ax. But the pole is not hardened.
For most cutters fire wood, a 4 lb. works. But if your cutting hard wood, get the heavier ax. DM

 

[Blackcloud]

I think I may just get the head and hang it on a handle of my choosing.

 

[David Martin]

The haft I purchased for my Hults was 35". After hanging it I ended with a 30.5", because I had to seat it for it to fit. For splitting work I would have liked 2- 3 more inches. But its fine. Does the Snow have a hardened pole? This maybe of no concern to most but for me I use this feature. DM

 

[Blackcloud]

The haft I purchased for my Hults was 35". After hanging it I ended with a 30.5", because I had to seat it four it to fit. For splitting work I would have liked 2- 3 more inches. But its fine. Does the Snow have a hardened pole? This maybe of no concern to most but for me I use this feature. DM

Not that I am aware of. I have not seen it mentioned from S&H nor any of the retailers. I carry a big ol Estwing framer for beating and hammering things in camp.

 

[David Martin]

I'm meaning to drive wedges and stakes. DM

 

[cityofthesouth]

I think I may just get the head and hang it on a handle of my choosing.

Have you seen this to be an option or do you mean purchase a vintage/used head?

I suspect you'd be fine with any of the 3 you mentioned but the requirements are kinda vague really considering all the variations possible with axes. It's pretty common - just from what I see people doing on youtube and in forums - for people to expect too much work from an axe that's too light. If you want to split firewood you need something good for splitting. If you want to chop you need something for chopping. And of course, how many reasons do you need to have more axes? I don't need many, so you know, gotta have at least 1 for every conceivable task. You did mention 2lbs, shorter, and you made it sound like you want something kinda well rounded, maybe for carrying around the woods or medium duty chores? Sounds like a boys axe to me and both S&N and CT make them. I know HB makes a variety of axes but the Swedish/Scandi looking axes are frequently thin and flat.