Looking for a new ax, Christmas money burning a hole!

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frontiersman

Joined
Dec 20, 2006
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I'm looking into buying a smaller ax. I've narrowed it down to the Gransford small forest ax, a Wetterlings fine ax , and a Council tool #2 velvicut hudson bay 20". I really like the council tool but I don't see many people talking about them and the new one I handled wasn't very sharp. The only one I haven't handeled in person is the gransfords. There all in the same price range so thats not a big deal. I just don't want to make a mistake. Thanks
 
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frontiersman said:
I'm looking into buying a smaller ax. I've narrowed it down to the Gransford small forest ax, a Wetterlings fine ax , and a Council tool #2 velvicut hudson bay 20". I really like the council tool but I don't see many people talking about them and the new one I handled wasn't very sharp. The only one I haven't handeled in person is the gransfords. There all in the same price range so thats not a big deal. I just don't make a mistake. Thanks
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How will it be used primarily?
 
As a bush craft tool, I'm really just looking for something in between a hatchet and a boys ax. The ax would be asked to prep firewood on camping trips primarily, I really like the 20" length of the council tool. Small and light enough to go in my pack but large enough to use two hands when I need some power.
 
That Gransfors is a nice unit. I'm going over one today that I gave my stepson a few years back. A quick handle refinish and sharpening. Put some goody on the sheath so it won't hold moisture. Nice size and weight. Good handling small axe. Pretty pricey but worth it in my book.
 
I own the Velvicut HB. I'm a fan of the HB pattern for light work that falls into the general "bushcraft" category. I find it ideal for doing "fiddley" work like making fuzz sticks, peeling bark, etc. I've also used it for limbing trees I've felled. If I had to trek several miles out and build my camp when I got there I'd happily bring my Velvicut. I also like that Council is made i the US.

And some pictures I've posted before:



 
Thats a nice one. Never handled one. That one comes with a full sheath IIRC.
 
I've posted this pic before. HB Velvicut and a Plumb.

KellyPerfectvsCouncilVelicut006.jpg


I love my CT HB Velvicut......But that Plumb sure out classed on some green aspen.

[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/user/doubleott/media/Council%20Velvicut%20Plumb%20Cedar/KellyPerfectvsCouncilVelicut009.jpg.html][/URL]
 
Alocksly said:
I own the Velvicut HB. I'm a fan of the HB pattern for light work that falls into the general "bushcraft" category. I find it ideal for doing "fiddley" work like making fuzz sticks, peeling bark, etc. I've also used it for limbing trees I've felled. If I had to trek several miles out and build my camp when I got there I'd happily bring my Velvicut. I also like that Council is made i the US.

And some pictures I've posted before:



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Thank you for this. I haven't seen anyone really talking about these. I may go look at one again tomorrow.
 
I was just looking at these (CT HB Velvicut)!!! What a nice looking axe. I'd choose it over the Gransfors Bruks if only because it's made completely in the US. I can't speak to specific quality....

I have a "Boys Axe" (German manufacturer, "Lux" store brand) and it's similar to the HB style, but one of Council Tool's Hudson Bay (especially the Velvicut!!!!) sure would give mine some serious competition.
 
Alberta Ed said:
Check out the Snow & Neally 3/4 Hudson's Bay single bit. Here's a good review: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.ca/2011/01/snow-nealley-hudson-bay-axe-review.html.
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That didn't seem to be a very good review. LOL! The three axes I mentioned in my first post seem to be where I'm at right now, with the Council tool HB velvicut in first place right now. I can put hands on and buy It today if I want. Just trying to make sure It as good as the Swedish Gransfords Bruks SFA
 
OK, I don't mean to derail/side-track this thread and I stand behind my personal choice for the ALL USA MADE Council Tool Hudson Bay (especially the extra-drooly VelviCut UPGRADE!!!) if I was shopping today. However, if you're OK with German/Swiss made stuff, then I wouldn't over-look this:

http://www.helkonorthamerica.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=204

Since my earlier posting I became really annoyed that I didn't know/or forgotten more about my axe (and as I drooled over that super-sweet Council Tool "Hudson Bay" VelviCut axe!!!!). So, with some goggle-fu at work I discovered some info about mine in this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/919244-My-German-axe-from-the-UK-NOW-WITH-SHEATH

and learned/re-learned my axe is the 1000gram, 60cm version of the German Standard Axe I linked to above.

It's a great little axe and is super handy. It swings well and doesn't get as stuck when splitting as some of the other smaller axes/hatchets I've used. The steel is pretty hard and took a good long while with the file, but has held the edge pretty well despite some unintentional "digging" :yawn: I've some dings in the edge to file out, but nothing catastrophic. I will say the handle is a bit "full" or thick for my hands so some very light shaving on the sides of the handle could help some for extended use.

I've just picked up some leather and will be making a sheath (?) for it over my little break. When I bought it (2011 in Sarajevo, Bosnia), I also bought an extra handle for it since that can be a rather tedious task to find an exact replacement.

I hope you enjoy your search and in the end be completely satisfied with your purchase!
 
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I just spontaneously bought a Wetterlings Forest axe while running the warden around for boxing day specials. It's drinking some Linseed oil as I type. I just wanted something a little heftier than my SFA. Seems they all have a time/place/use. That's what I tell myself anyway. ;)
 
OK, I went to SMKW today and they had everything in the store on sale. Almost all the Gransfords were sold out, The one Wetterlings I was interested in was sold out, and They only had one Council tool HB there. The quality on the council was absolutely horrible. The head looked like it was ground on with an angle grinder, the pole was not square, and in the top of the handle where the wedge goes, there was one of those steel tubes to lock in the wedge. This tube was put in off center and started a split in the wood. I was not impressed. Guess I'll just wait and get a Gransfords SFA at another time.
 
That's disappointing to say the least. Yeah, since the Council Tool was horrible you're smart to be looking long and hard at either the Wetterlings or the Gransfors Bruks.

Bummer.
 
fmajor007 said:
That's disappointing to say the least. Yeah, since the Council Tool was horrible you're smart to be looking long and hard at either the Wetterlings or the Gransfors Bruks.

Bummer.
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Bummer indeed. I was very disappointed. For a $10 to $15 dollar price difference, I may as well buy the Cadillac and skip the Chevy
 
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