Looking for a Nice Boy's Axe

J

John Frankl

Joined
Oct 16, 2001
Messages
1,917
Okay, I'm just going to come right out and say it...I'm looking for a nice boy's axe! I have had great luck finding nice old US made full size axes, but the boy's axe eludes me.

And then I see this:

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=JP22DV28C&catID=

which is nice, but only makes me even more certain (50-54 RC is pretty darn soft and pretty darn wide for a premium axe) that I want to find something on my own.

Any help will be greatly appreciated:)
 
Hey John :)

I think that you should be the first (around here that I know of anyway) to buy the new CT VELVICUT boys axe and then give us a full report ;)
 
A little bit of inconsistency there as the Council Tool website actually lists their Velvicut line at 52-56 hrc now. Although it is still a large range, it's more respectable and in line with where 5160 should be HT'd to for optimal performance. I'd like to see it at a consistent 54-57, as well as more hardened material (1" for a boy's axe and 1.5" for a full is a bit low), but it's a step in the right direction and it shows that they're at least listening to their customer base. If you do want one, I'd either wait around or order directly from Council so you get one from a newer batch with the better HT.

As for opinions, they actually chose to introduce the boy's axe into their velvicut line because their backstock of Forestry Service boy's axes sold well and were well received by the general public. Search around for "Council FSS Boy's axe" and read up - the velvicut line is pretty much just a better version (5160 instead of 1060, more attention to detail, better edge from factory, better handle, a well-made sheath, etc)
 
If you're just wanting a good user there's nothing wrong with Council's regular boy's axe. I have the FSS version but I've never heard a bad word about any version of it.
 
From my flea market and antique shop travels in NH and MA, I would say that boy's axes aren't all that thick on the ground. I've found the majority of mine on e-bay.
 
It took me a while to find a good boy's axe head (got it on fleabay),
but it was worth it. It's fun to hang your own axe, and you learn a lot too.
 
I will let you in on one of my ebay secrets, but it takes time. Look at listings for hatchets. You have to wade past hundreds of Molly Hatchet albums and chinese ninja crap. Many sellers list small house axes with 16 or 18 inch handles as hatchets which can be rehandled as boys axes since they are the same head. I just bought another Plumb a couple days ago for under $20 shipped.
 
Last edited:
halfaxe said:
I will let you in on one of my ebay secrets, but it takes time. Look at listings for hatchets. You have to wade past hundreds of Molly Hatchet albums and chinese ninja crap. Many sellers list small house axes with 16 or 18 inch handles as hatchets which can be rehandled as boys axes since they are the same head. I just bought another Plumb a couple days ago for under $20 shipped.
Click to expand...

this.

also applies to flea markets and antique stores.
 
Nothing like watching and item, bidding and getting sniped in the final 3 seconds.....bidding software

Just missed one myself.

Bill
 
I have to he honest... I don't lose to many anymore.
I'm like Operator... Bid HIGH and hope for the best ;)
 
:)
I am just getting into the axe interest on the bay.... most of mine came from grandpa and uncles that got tired of swinging them. I prefer my Husqvarna 562XP for dropping trees but I do love an excuse to play with the axe when it suits me.

Bill
 
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