questions regarding fit and finish on Council Tool Velvicut

KP · Aug 29, 2012

I liked my Council Tool Dayton Boys Axe so much that I went ahead and ordered the 24" Velvicut model a few days ago. I haven't used it yet but my first impression is that it feels great in the hand and generally looks great and I can't wait to use it. When I looked a little closer though, there were a few things I noticed that I thought getting a second opinion on wouldn't hurt. I'm not too experienced with axes, and it seems to me that these things wouldn't affect the performance, but then I started thinking that I just paid a premium for a premium axe and wondered if these kind of things are acceptable for this kind of axe. Let me know what you think fellas.

Round corners on the poll and rounded edges on the head?

Some gaps and small cracks in the eye?

Double Ott · Aug 30, 2012

I have one and it is well executed. I just did a small comparison with it against a vintage Plumb that also had a 22" haft. The CT HB out cut the Plumb limbing a windfall popple tree we have up at camp. The fit and finish on mine is very nice, edges are sharp and the poll is nicely done, the haft has a very nice grain alignment (I just went out to the garage to double check it). I did have to sharpen up her bit to make it to my liking.

My 12 year old nephew used her to drop two small popple trees a week ago and he somehow managed to scuff up the head and the top part of the haft. It will not effect the performance of the axe so I have left the scuff marks on it.

I got mine last Dec. for my B-Day from my wife. It is really finished nicer than your appears to be in your pictures. I also have a CT Velvicut Dayton that I got 3 weeks ago, it also has a great fit and finish with sharp edges on the head. It came with a sharp bit and a very nice grain alignment in her haft. If I were you, I might call the retailer or CT customer service direct to see what can be done.

EDIT: I should add that I don't think the fit, finish and handle fit of your CT will effect it's performance. But I understand your concern.

[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/albums/zz21/doubleott/?action=view&current=axe_to_grind.gif]

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trailmaker · Aug 30, 2012

How is the alignment on that Velvicut? Axes in that price range should have near perfect alignment.

Double Ott, I'd love to see pictures of that Velvicut Jersey.

Double Ott · Aug 30, 2012

I did a comparison between a Premium Vintage Kelly Perfect and a Premium CT Velvicut Dayton pattern in a post a few days ago.

Here's all I have right now:

My regards, Tom [URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/albums/zz21/doubleott/?action=view&current=axe_to_grind.gif]

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wildmike · Aug 30, 2012

There is no CT VELVICUT jersey....there is a Jersey Classic being produced, but it isn't from the velvicut line.

Blunt Forged Edge · Aug 30, 2012

Here's some shots I took along side with another axe.

Mine appears to be a functional all the way around.

Double Ott · Aug 30, 2012

wildmike said:
There is no CT VELVICUT jersey....there is a Jersey Classic being produced, but it isn't from the velvicut line.

Thanks Wildmike, It was 11:30 PM when I responded to that post....past my bedtime

I fixed it. It's hell to get old

It's a Dayton [URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/albums/zz21/doubleott/?action=view&current=axe_to_grind.gif]

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KP · Aug 30, 2012

trailmaker said:
How is the alignment on that Velvicut? Axes in that price range should have near perfect alignment.

The alignment looked pretty good.

And thanks to everyone for the pics and responses. I'd rather not deal with customer service and the post office so I'm okay with few little cosmetic imperfections if it's not going to affect performance. I'll see if anybody else chimes in but it was a pretty good deal so I'll probably just roll with this one.