L.L. Bean Hudson Bay Axe

J

John A. Larsen

Joined
Jan 15, 2001
Messages
3,761
I received my L.L. Bean Spring 2017 Hunting Catalog yesterday and noted that on page 7, was an add for a Hudson Bay Axe made for them by Council. Next to the head of the axe was the caption:
"Stainless Steel"
"Head is made from durable 5160 alloy steel."
I emailed them last night and this morning they had replied and acknowledged that 5160 was not stainless, and would be easier to sharpen than stainless steel, and that they would put a note in with the axe stating it was not stainless steel. Got to hate that when a "Gremlin" gets into your captions, but they did immediately acknowledge their error. John
 
Whiskey_Jim said:
Yowzers they want $100 more the council sells the same axe for.
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I think you're confusing it with their regular line, different steel - the 5160 line seems to be priced about like Bean's, maybe $10 less elsewhere.

OTOH, Bean's gotta pay for cooling the trout pool somehow :D
 
Noswad0208 said:
Where can you find a $39 Council Tools Velvicut HB?
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The ll bean looks more like the regular line with the forge scale wire wheeled off than the polished velvicut. I didn't realize the steel was different, it's not listed in the Amazon description.
 
Whiskey_Jim said:
The ll bean looks more like the regular line with the forge scale wire wheeled off than the polished velvicut. I didn't realize the steel was different, it's not listed in the Amazon description.
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The regular line is carbon steel, 1060 or some such.
 
Whiskey_Jim said:
The ll bean looks more like the regular line with the forge scale wire wheeled off than the polished velvicut. I didn't realize the steel was different, it's not listed in the Amazon description.
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Velvicuts are no longer given a full surface grinding. That's what they look like now.
 
Yeah. My family's camp has an old S&N Hudson Bay that's been there for ages and was probably purchased at L.L. Bean--there's also some L.L. Bean-marked carbon steel butcher's knives there. And with S&N's recent commitment to making their axes in the USA again, it'd be nice for them to get a pat on the back from a fellow Maine business, eh?
 
LL Bean dropped S&N when they went to selling shoddy import axes. S&N's current domestic stuff may be better but the client was already lost. Now LL Bean has a contract with Council. Can't blame LL Bean. S&N dropped the ball.
 
L.L. Bean is currently carrying Gransfors and Hults Bruks for the majority of their axe selection--only the Hudson Bay is a Council.
 
From a random site, selling these:

"Snow & Nealley® axes are being made once again in the USA thanks to an Amish man and his sons who bought the iconic brand. Caring deeply about their work, they drop forge each blade from high carbon steel, then hand-temper, grind and finish it. The result is top notch craftsmanship you'll notice.
Originally designed for trappers, hunters and fisherman
Great for around the campsite
Hickory handle with genuine leather blade guard
Head 6-3/4"L x 3-7/8"W, 1-3?4 lb
Overall about 22-3/4"L, 2-1/2 lb
USA made in Maine

DETAILS

Generations of lumberjacks have relied on the iconic Snow & Nealley® axes (known for their superior craftsmanship). But when they closed their doors, these axes disappeared. Wanting to bring back this legacy, an Amish man and his sons bought the company. Now all the axes are 100% made in the USA, continuing the tradition that started in 1864."

Will look for reviews on these.
 
Moonw said:
From a random site, selling these:

"Snow & Nealley® axes are being made once again in the USA thanks to an Amish man and his sons who bought the iconic brand. Caring deeply about their work, they drop forge each blade from high carbon steel, then hand-temper, grind and finish it. The result is top notch craftsmanship you'll notice.
Originally designed for trappers, hunters and fisherman
Great for around the campsite
Hickory handle with genuine leather blade guard
Head 6-3/4"L x 3-7/8"W, 1-3?4 lb
Overall about 22-3/4"L, 2-1/2 lb
USA made in Maine

DETAILS

Generations of lumberjacks have relied on the iconic Snow & Nealley® axes (known for their superior craftsmanship). But when they closed their doors, these axes disappeared. Wanting to bring back this legacy, an Amish man and his sons bought the company. Now all the axes are 100% made in the USA, continuing the tradition that started in 1864."

Will look for reviews on these.
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Even that is misleading unless something has changed. Last I heard someone, somewhere, not council, they are claiming in the USA, is making the heads for them. They will not disclose who. They make the handles and finish the heads in Maine.
 
Not 100% of their models are USA made just yet, but they're still working on it. When they bought the company there was some old stock they have to get rid of first, but it's just the pulaski, mauls, and double bits left to clear out, if I remember correctly.
 
The real problem is not that they have old stock they are phasing out. The problem is the company history of , let's call it questionable marketing of non US made products under a banner that would lead one to believe they were US made. To get out from under that history full disclosure is going to be required. And from what I have heard they are unwilling to give the "source" of the new "US" made heads. They can be the nicest guys on the block but under the Snow label I need more than a, "trust me it is all good." And judging from the advert above, unless they have actually started forging themselves, questionable tactics continue.
 
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