First "real" axe, Council.

Murphnuge

Murphnuge

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Hey guys, this is my first thread in this subforum. I've used axes all my life, probably improperly, but still I'm no stranger to them. In the last 5 years I've been more of a big knife believer, I thought I'd expand into the small axe realm though. My dad got me a Council Tools Hudson Bay Velvicut for Christmas. I'm new to all of the higher end axes so I can't compare to anything else, but it sure impresses me. Anyway, I took it to the wood pile before work to play a bit. Grabbed some pix while I was out there. I intend to give her a little field time this weekend.

Obligatory unboxing type shot. Just to show the stuff it arrived with really.

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I figured it will usually accompany one of my medium fixed blades to the field.

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First real impressions, after light limited use , are that it's a very well made tool. Honestly if I knew just a little less about it, I would assume it was a presentation piece or a showpiece type gift for a retiring logger. It's truly breathtaking out of the box. It is a tool however, and will be used a lot (I hope). It's very light and well balanced. Not shaving sharp out of the box. I'll keep this updated as my time with it progresses.
 
Those seem to be pretty nice from what I hear. That's a great first axe to get regardless. Hope it serves you well.
 
My wife got me one for my B-Day a year ago...She's a SWEEEET axe. I really like mine. It rides n my vehicle all the time.

Tom
 
Great shots of great tool. I've had one for a bit myself and really like it as well, especially after putting a few coats of danish oil on the handle. It looked great before but it really pops now.
 
Congrats on a very nice axe, the Velvicut series is the full equal of anything coming out of Sweden. I always have to get out a drawknife/scraper/rasp to make a factory handle suit me but that wasn't the case with the Velvicut Hudson Bay. Hands down the most comfortable factory handle out there as far as I'm concerned. I like it so much I purchased several more for some of my other Hudson Bays for when I don't have time to carve my own handle. Much better handle than Council's (and everyone else's) basic handle.

Steve
 
That's a good looking axe Murph. You oughta send that down here for me to play around with for a couple of days.
 
Great looking axe! Never have tried one of those. That type is not common out here. Looks like Council got that one right:thumbup:.
 
Great choice! I opted for the Best Made version a little over a year ago. I did a side by side with an old Plumb Victory boy's axe and the Hudson Bay choped circles around the Plumb. Enjoy it!
 
Ok, I finally got some boiled linseed oil. Does it matter how long I let the head soak in it?
 
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wow that is one fine axe you lucky person what a great gift
 
Well, I've been using this axe here and there for medium duty tasks. It handles really well! I'll get some more time with it this weekend after we drop a couple trees in the side yard. My wife decided she wanted the standard Hudson bay axe, it came in the mail today. Hers has a 28" handle. I can tell some difference between the two, but I don't have the eye some of you guys have for axes. I'll get some comparison shots this weekend. We also plan to get a woods day in with the two of us.
 
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Hey Murphnuge, whats the quality like on your standard
hudson bay? The reason I ask, is I got one today in the mail
today and it's a real dog, the head is mounted aiming downward
and the alignment with the handle is way off.
The thing that really got me were the two chips in the blade edge!
I have a velvicut h.b. and it's acceptable, but not worth 140.00 dollars.
I paid close to 50.00 bucks for this standard model and it's unusable
except for kindling wood and a door stop. I hope Yours is nothing like
mine. I wanted to support a U.S. co., and I did to the tune of almost
200.00 bucks, but now I guess I have to go european next time,
really sucks.
Sorry this turned into a rant, but I'm really disgusted.
 
Odd Ogg said:
Hey Murphnuge, whats the quality like on your standard
hudson bay? The reason I ask, is I got one today in the mail
today and it's a real dog, the head is mounted aiming downward
and the alignment with the handle is way off.
The thing that really got me were the two chips in the blade edge!
I have a velvicut h.b. and it's acceptable, but not worth 140.00 dollars.
I paid close to 50.00 bucks for this standard model and it's unusable
except for kindling wood and a door stop. I hope Yours is nothing like
mine. I wanted to support a U.S. co., and I did to the tune of almost
200.00 bucks, but now I guess I have to go european next time,
really sucks.
Sorry this turned into a rant, but I'm really disgusted.
Click to expand...

Ouch! Sorry your experience has been bad so far. My (wife's) standard HB is great as far as I can tell, but as previously stated I'm no axeophile like some around here. I'm slowly inching into it, but from my humble opinion, it's worth the money. I got her the longer handled version. I feel that hers is balanced better than my velvicut. No nicks in the blade on either of ours, heads are hung true and the grain seems good.

I should think if you call Council they should take care of your concerns. Again, I hate to hear of your bad experience. I hope somehow it gets taken care of to your satisfaction.
 
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Thanks for the reply murph, yeah I could send it back,
but I don't have the time or inclination to.
I'm in my shop right now belt sanding the paint off of it,
I'll treat the handle and I'm gonna hang it over my fireplace
with an old buck saw I found, should look really cool.
What the hell.
I'm glad yours is good!
 
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