I just received my Council Tool Velvicut Hundson Bay Ax.

First impression is there is a lot to like.

Blade profile is going to make it more effective for splitting than the GD Small Forest Ax or Scandinavian Forest Ax, yet it should still cut well.

The edge defiantly needs some work, It would be fine as a splitter but is nothing like the way most GB's come. No problem there though.

The handle seems a little thin for my hands, especially compared with the GB's. But that is a first impression with out actually using it.

The sheath is a very well crafted leather, top load. For frequent use, I think I would find it unhandy and heavier than necessary, so I will be forming a Kydex sheath right away.

It is a very well made tool and I am looking forward to putting it to some use.

I ordered it through Wood & Metal in Tacoma, WA.
Their service was excellent, their price competitive and shipping was a flat rate of $6.95

http://www.woodandmetal.com/

More to follow after some use.

One of my hunting partners has that same axe, the Council Hudson Bay axe. He's used it prodigiously for more than two years in elk, deer, and bear hunting camps, plus camping with his wife and kids. He really likes it.

L.W.

I think we need another axe thread

Somebody needs to buy a Wetterlings Bushman.

Hello Ed, glad you like what you see so far of the Velvicut. Mine was used when I got it and I really had to work on the edge to get it where I liked it. I still can't get it sharp like my Wetterlings, but it really holds it's edge. I guess a little reprofiling with a belt sander would make it a fantastic chopper as well as a splitter.

The handle was from what I understand,intentionally designed with the thin grip as it is supposed to have some give to relieve hand shock. The sheath is nice but I like a simple mask myself. I hope you enjoy it.

I just received mine. It is a pig. I want to see how it performs before passing judgement though. It should split fantastic.

Not the best first impression I guess

I'm no axe guru, but I do know a bit about sharpening knives, by that I mean I can get a decent edge by hand. I recently aquired a GB Wildlife Hatchet that came quite sharp, and a Husqvarna Forest Axe that was less than sharp. I pulled out my Worksharp and worked them both with the green/coarse belt, followed by the, brown, then the purple belts. Not quite shaving sharp, but they'll curl up a fingernail shaving quite easily. Quite functional edges QUICKLY. The edge appears to be fairly durable, as the belt "bows" and produces a convex edge.

Well, I spent about 45 minutes on the Velvicut edge today. Clamped it to the work bench and did a bit of filing to thin the edge, then polished that up with three different diamond stones, finished it on some 1500 grit on a marble top and then on the buffing wheel. It is now as sharp as a straight razor.

This evening, I formed a Coyote brown Kydex sheath for it and will apply either linseed oil or spar varnish to the handle.

Me thinks, I am really going to like this ax.

DAYAAAAM!!!

All I've ever done on axes is use a metal file, sweeping the tail of the file over the edge through the stroke to maintain the convex shape of the grind (or make one.) I'll give you a hint... Files from Portugal are what Swedish files were 15 years ago.

Then I jump on a puck stone and finesse the grind until it'd stick to a finger nail
(one of these, so you don't cut your fingers off)


Then, I'll stick a 500 grit flapwheel in a die grinder to give it the factory un-[bleep]-up GB look.



But then I can use the company Grinding Room on my time whenever I want.

I figured you were a "river rock" guy Dan:)

Here is the Velvicut with it's new Kydex sheath:

Thought I'd toss this out there since its a Velvicut thread. I fashioned the strap from an old "Hunter" brand 1 inch leather rifle sling. I ran the strap through the openings at the top of the sheath and doubled it back through the strap keeper at the poll. On the other end is a Michaels QD sling swivel that clips to the D-ring. I split the strap so it would wrap around and "keep" the handle approx. 2/3 of the way up the handle. I fashioned it after seeing one that Steven Watts had made though I opted to split the strap as shown instead of on the other end of the strap where it connects to the poll end of the sheath. It carries better this way for me and the axe tucks behind me when I throw the strap over my shoulder or crossed over my chest. The QD swivel makes fastening/attaching or lashing it to a pack or canoe easier and helps avoid losing it should you flip your boat.
I would imagine that someone that's pretty handy at weaving paracord could fashion a nice one too...........

BD

Finally had a chance to put the Velvicut to use. It chops like a champ. The blade is thin enough to take healthy bites out of a tree. And when it comes to splitting, I was really amazed at how well it did. It splits like a much heavier ax. I was splitting beetle killed lodgepole that was real knotty and the performance was simply outstanding. For making kindling, this tool is unsurpassed.
The Velvicut splits much better than either the GB Small Forest Ax or the GB Scandinavian Forest Ax. In fact the only GB I have used that splits as well is my Small Splitting Ax which has a much more wedge shaped head.
My first impression that the handle was a bit too thin didn't hold true in field use.

Dan, you need a Velvicut. You can thank me later

A good friend gave me one of these for Christmas. Other than tinkering with it and tweaking the edge, I haven't had a chance to use it yet. What a well made tool. Beautiful almost. I like the slender handle, but wouldn't mind if it was a few inches longer.

Council builds good axes and for those that want the pickup model vs the Ferrari they make a standard Hudson Bay pattern without the bling and so far the best price I've seen comes from the Peavey co.

http://peaveymfg.com/products-axes-hudson $45.49 for the 28" handled Hudson Bay pattern.

I have two, one I've been using for final splitting/kindling making( 10-15 cords) before the wood goes into the house and for cutting any medium sized trees that need to be removed, for over 3 years. It's worked extremely well. Holds an edge and cuts way over its wt... And the grain in the handle that is totally wrong, ie perpendicular to the edge, has been beaten hard all these years with nary a crack or split.

You're evil, and what's weigh?

I was seriously toying with the idea of a Wetterlings Fine Foresters Axe.



But then we just got some bad news at work. 30 hour weeks until after spring break up is over.... No logs, bad roads, and a stack of OT I've been banking means I'll be doing a lot of F'ing off with the toys I already have.

If someone really wants a longer handle and is of a mind to replace the original, the longer Council Tool replacement handle that fits the "standard" HB axe is offered in an "A" grade and will fit the Velvicut HB's eye. I think they are around $30.........
Hope this helps,
BD

BlackDog1,

That thought had occurred to me... My 'dealer' will be getting a call. Anyways, I want one of the Dayton Pattern Boy's Axes too. Had a chance to use that one briefly a week or so ago and it's a sweetheart.

2lbs 12 oz

That weight is with the Kydex sheath.

That's almost Scandanavian Forest weight?

I've got another Hultafors/Husky on the way. Once I get it, I'll post up some pics an' [bleep] for the axe junkies here (and Brad)

Just came back from playing with my new Bushman axe. I brought my Velvicut for some side by side comparison. The Velvicut is the ultimate pack axe. Now the Bushman is no slouch, it really cuts and splits like an SOB. Both of this axes do what they were designed for great, the Velvicut just more so. I packed them in around 3 miles for an overnighter. Does that count as backpacking?

Which one?

Ed,
You think the head of the Velvicut is really 2 pounds?

Best Made Company makes their Hudson Bay Axe with the Velvicut Head and a 26" handle.

Probably not in the Classic Sense

It weighs exactly the same as my GB Scandinavian Forest Ax which is supposed to have a 2 lb head and has a longer handle, so I'm guessing it is pretty close to 2 lbs.

Dan,

When the mill gets back to full production and you are banking the overtime bucks here are a couple more toys for you to try

http://duluthpack.com/gransfors-franziska-axe.html

http://duluthpack.com/gransfors-tomahawk-axe-french-and-british.html

You beat me too it, and you're still evil.

I just know I'll wind up with one of their Viking Axes one of these days



NY Stillhuinter, my new truck axe is the Multi Purpose Axe from the Husky shop. It should be here soon. Stolen pic from the Interwebs, but I've owned both those axes before, my buddy Dick talked me out of my Scandanavian Forest axe.


As you might imagine, the GB feels much more refined and better finished in your hands than the Hultafors of similar shape and size. However, the Hultafors is 70 bucks. Cheap ass disposable axes from Home Depot are 40 bucks.... You see my logic here?

Looking at the link for Wood and Metal, I realized its right up the road from the shop.

I stopped in and fingered the HB ax. Nice stuff. I could see me bringing one home.