Council Tool20HB18P01 #2 Hudson Bay Camp Axe with 18" Curved Handle

This is a nice axe with a few caveats. I bought this specifically to spilt already quartered pieces into kindling for my stove, and wanted a smaller axe that was a little heavy at the head end for this. This axe is performing this task well. I also have the longer handled version in the velvicut model, and that is an exceptionally nice small general purpose axe, with better balance, and a perfect grain in the handle. If you want a more balanced axe get this head with the longer handle. For close work like splitting kindling this model works well and is a four or five stars for the price (about $100 less than the velvicut). Very easy to sharpen to a high finish and adequately holds an edge. Four stars vs five here as the specific handle of this axe had a grain pattern off 90 degrees from ideal, but hopefully wont affect me on the light duty I am using it for. For the money, I think the quality of the regular council axes can’t be beat: Their boys axe is a great bargain vs functionality tool too.

If you’re trying to decide between the Council Tool or Snow & Nealley Hudson Bay camp axes get the Council Tool. This thing is a real workhorse. After putting an edge on it that I was happy with I’ve made a few hundred cuts with it splitting some large 2 year old ash . I bought a Snow & Nealley Hudson Bay camp axe to keep in my Jeep and had a shootout between them today and I just put the S & N away after about 15 minutes because it just wasn’t up to the task. The Council Tool is a bit heavier and it makes a huge difference. The S & N is prettier, but pretty doesn’t get the job done. I’m going to buy another one for my Jeep.

dull and will require more than 30 minutes to sharpen. Hint, you either know how to sharpen axes, have a guy, or will spend over a hour...Don't get me started on the handle grain orientation...Also, no sheath. I am not taking a point away for this as it's clearly not induced in the description. Just keep that in mind. The sheath typically goes for $30.Overall, nice entry axe you can learn with/bang it up without sweating scratching/damaging a $120+ or $300 high quality axe that somebody made you buy. Same principle applies, that for most, $20+ quality knife will be used and enjoyed while a fancy $300 blade will collect dust because no one wants to damage $600 cutting tool.

The instant I picked up this product I could feel the balance in the weight and the clear strength of the handle. It did come somewhat sharp but it was not shaving sharp by any means, however before I even sharpened this axe I used it on a 5 inch pine and it went right through it. The head bites into the wood for chopping very well and has done phenomenal on hard wood after sharpening. I would recommend it as a camping axe or something that you carry all day since it is relatively small and lightweight. It can split very well due to its wedge shape, I would recommend this axe over all other axes at this price point even the Gerber/Fiskars ones. If anyone was wondering the axe and axe cover are both made in the USA and the cover is very high quality for the 20 dollar premium.

Just received this. Opened the box, no sheathe. Small, rubbery blade protector, but no sheathe. Disappointing. It is supposed to have a sheathe, it's the model I ordered.Checked the blade, A bit rough, but a few strokes with the stone took the rough off, good enough now for camp work. Also checked the handle. The grain is 90 degrees to the head, with a decided heartwood/sapwood demarkation through the middle of the handle length. I have the terrible feeling this will split at it's first opportunity. An axe handle's grain should be parallel to the head, not perpendicular. Checked this against the axes I own already - all their handles have parallel grain patterns. I'm a woodworking hobbiest, so I am familiar with the importance of grain orientation.So, three stars. The axe head will work. The handle will split and need a replacement. The sheathe? Well, I paid for it...

I've used mine quite a bit limbing and chopping small branches, balance is a little off, but it is a 2 lb head. If handle breaks, I will convert it to a 28" handle. Good steel, holds edge, and handle I treated with linseed oil. I already had a sheath for this axe, but if you want one, I would purchase it with sheath option, it is more expensive to buy each separate.