- Joined
- May 17, 2006
- Messages
- 4,290
I had decided to get either a very large, heavy tomahawk or a light axe for the winter. Being from California the bark beetle has done most of the felling for us. We have dead pine everywhere. I like to sleep next to the fire in open shelters and a good supply of night wood is needed. Pretty much a combination of oak and pine is what we have.
I wanted to get a Hudson Bay style axe for a while and recently I did, a Council Tool. The head came loose after 2 days of a 5 day camp trip where I was sleeping out next to the fire. Once it came loose in camp I didn’t feel very good about using it. I sent it back and they replaced it (yesterday). I chopped into an old chunk of seasoned wood and while the bit was buried deep inside the wood I noticed some handle play again. The new one was loose. When I got it the aluminum wedge was a little bit sticking out and the head itself looked like it could have been seated a little more down. It actually stuck out more than the top of the handle.
Here are a few pictures of the replacement and why I chose the Estwing.
The Council Tool Hudson Bay Axe is listed as having an 18” handle. They are measuring from the very top to of the axe head to the bottom of the handle. It comes out to about 17”.
The Estwing is listed as a 16”, but when it is measured in the same way as the Council, its 18” in total length.
Council is about 2 pounds 6 ounces while the Estwing Camp Axe is 2 pounds 11 ounces.
They are both of a Hudson Bay pattern, which I really like.
The Estwing head is larger and the bit gives just a little more cutting surface.
After taking a few hard chops with both I can honestly say the shock is more obvious on the CT compared to the Estwing. I have read the opposite, but glad I finally got a chance to try it out for myself.
Bad thing is, I think it is ugly!
Both from the USA
The good thing is…this can’t possibly happen to it.
Loose head:
I have started to thin down the shoulder with a file, but I won’t be able to finish it or do anymore work with it until I return from a trip.
I wanted to get a Hudson Bay style axe for a while and recently I did, a Council Tool. The head came loose after 2 days of a 5 day camp trip where I was sleeping out next to the fire. Once it came loose in camp I didn’t feel very good about using it. I sent it back and they replaced it (yesterday). I chopped into an old chunk of seasoned wood and while the bit was buried deep inside the wood I noticed some handle play again. The new one was loose. When I got it the aluminum wedge was a little bit sticking out and the head itself looked like it could have been seated a little more down. It actually stuck out more than the top of the handle.
Here are a few pictures of the replacement and why I chose the Estwing.
The Council Tool Hudson Bay Axe is listed as having an 18” handle. They are measuring from the very top to of the axe head to the bottom of the handle. It comes out to about 17”.
The Estwing is listed as a 16”, but when it is measured in the same way as the Council, its 18” in total length.
Council is about 2 pounds 6 ounces while the Estwing Camp Axe is 2 pounds 11 ounces.
They are both of a Hudson Bay pattern, which I really like.
The Estwing head is larger and the bit gives just a little more cutting surface.
After taking a few hard chops with both I can honestly say the shock is more obvious on the CT compared to the Estwing. I have read the opposite, but glad I finally got a chance to try it out for myself.
Bad thing is, I think it is ugly!
Both from the USA
The good thing is…this can’t possibly happen to it.
Loose head:
I have started to thin down the shoulder with a file, but I won’t be able to finish it or do anymore work with it until I return from a trip.
