Recommendation: Wetterlings vs Council Tool

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zzerru

Joined
Jan 19, 2009
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I am getting ready to purchase an axe for general camping (mainly) and some bushcraft work. After some research, I had narrowed it down to the Wetterlings large hunting axe and the Council Tool Velvicut 2# Hudson Bay axe. That is about the size and price range I was looking at, and I was looking to see what you thought or if I missed one that should be considered.
 
I have a Council Tool Velvicut 2# Hudson Bay axe. It is a very nice axe...I like it. I also have two Wetterlings and like them also.BUT... I really love vintage Kelly s. So flip a coin :)

Double Ott
 
how much of a noticable difference would there be between a council tool hudson bay (18in) and a council tool velvicut hudson bay (36in)? mostly asking about the quality, durability, and usefulness. i understand there is a major difference in the size.
 
Am I looking correct or is the Velvicut almost double the price of the LHA? I got my LHA for $66 and the best I can find the Velvicut is $125. The price difference alone makes the LHA my choice.
 
c10darren said:
how much of a noticable difference would there be between a council tool hudson bay (18in) and a council tool velvicut hudson bay (36in)? mostly asking about the quality, durability, and usefulness. i understand there is a major difference in the size.
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The Council Tool Velvicut HB has a 24" handle.
 
I can't really chip in here on which is better, but I'd recommend you to look at a boys axe. A few inches longer, at 2 1/4 lbs or so. I tried the whole "half axe" thing and it just didn't click last summer. I've been doing lots of clearing and splitting over general bushcraft, so a half axe might work for you, especially if you get a high end axe like the CT Velcicut, but a boys axe has a lot of advantages over the halfs. They carry just as well IMO. Plus a really good boys axe (Husqvarna or Council Tool) is about half the price of either, which will make you feel a lot better when it starts getting beat up.

By the way, if you are doing anything more than light chopping, neither is suitable. A hudson bay tends to come loose over time, and swedish axes (last I knew) had flat cheeks.
 
zzerru said:
I am getting ready to purchase an axe for general camping (mainly) and some bushcraft work. After some research, I had narrowed it down to the Wetterlings large hunting axe and the Council Tool Velvicut 2# Hudson Bay axe. That is about the size and price range I was looking at, and I was looking to see what you thought or if I missed one that should be considered.
Click to expand...
Here's two of mine that's similar to what you're asking about.

AxesofTwo.jpg


Hope you find what you're looking for and Enjoy!
 
From what I have been hearing of late, I would opt for the Council Tool. Personally tho-I thing Ill stick with my Keesteel or Tuatahi!
 
zzerru said:
...I had narrowed it down to the Wetterlings large hunting axe and the Council Tool Velvicut 2# Hudson Bay axe. That is about the size and price range I was looking at, and I was looking to see what you thought or if I missed one that should be considered.
Click to expand...

Log cutter said:
From what I have been hearing of late, I would opt for the Council Tool. Personally tho-I thing Ill stick with my Keesteel or Tuatahi!
Click to expand...

Does Tuatahi even make an axe in the size zzerru is looking for?
 
Your regular Council axes to me are old school not going to win a beauty contest workmen axes. They are solid, built well, and will get the job done. Velvicut is the step up, say the Cadillac line. Sharpened better at purchase, better grade handle, metal more refined, etc. wetterlings, if I am correct is the stepchild now of GB. So less quality control than what you will see with a GB. If you are going to be doing light woodsman duty and bushcraft, technically any of those will work. It will ultimately come down to what u want to spend.
 
I just received a Council Tool boys axe Forest service edition from bensbackwoods.com.

The profile, edge profile, hang, and even the wood are exceptional. It is equal to and in some areas better than my GB'S axes.

And for only $49.99 plus shipping

ALL I had to do was final honing and stripping.
 
Square peg, It is indeed total blew me away when I saw how good it is. I was expecting typical CT quality, but this axe far surpasses my expectations. Especially for the price.
 
I think this is a good example of how, "back in the day" different axes came in different catergories, ie quality, styles, forges, etc. You can look at this from a lot of different ways. Manufacturers giving products to distributors at various quality levels. Mann and Keen Kutter for example. Kelly and Belknap. Still going on today, which is a GOOD thing. That is good for business overall. People have to do their research, which shouldnt be an issue with the technology we have. Hope this continues.
 
wildmike, Thanks for letting us know about this Axe. Looks like a good deal on a good Axe. :)
 
I own both the velvicut and the wetterlings and enjoy using both!! BUT the velvicut is where its at. The 5160 steel head is as good as it gets in my opinion and the fit and finish is more in line with a custom. Also its wonderful to see a true American made axe of this high of quality. Even the handle is properly thinned out more like the axes of old!
 
The handle on my CT boys axe is thinned out as well, honestly one of the best handles I've ever seen. And it's the one that came from the factory.
 
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