Council Tool 3.5 lb Michigan Pattern Double Bit Axe with 36 Inch Straight Wooden Handle

This axe is on the lower end of the price range for double bit axes. Don't let that fool you. Solid tool, USA made. I've split four cords of wood with it. Feels good in the hand, good weight and it gets work done.

I don't get why others complain that it doesn't come sharpened. You aren't paying $150-200+ for this axe, and for cryin' out loud,..you have to sharpen it as you use it anyway. That's what axemen do. I spent about an hour adding some oil to the handle, stripping off the paint, and putting a 20 degree razor edge on both sides. This thing swings nicely, and easily drops decent sized (12-18 inch ) pines on my property. I also have a Hults Bruk Agador felling axe, and I have to say that the council is on par in many respects. You can find complaints about any tools out there, so just work with the supplier if you get a lemon.

This axe came relatively sharp and took a great felling edge and also a good utility edge for limbing and other ground work. The handle was thoughtfully unfinished but was perhaps a little too unfinished with ridges being left from the turning process. It still sanded out and took a linseed oil finish nicely. Council uses 1060 carbon steel and mine definitely was properly heat treated as it holds it edge very well. Great American quality at a fair price. If you want a good American tool that is easy to sharpen yet holds it's edge well this axe is a good choice. When I compared it to my Barco Kelly Michigan double bit the Council is hung straight and ground true. The Barco is not ground true and is hung very crooked. The Council also has a thinner and longer bit for a deeper bite. The Council doesn't have the smooth finish of the barco but it is better quality overall. If you know how to sharpen and safely use a double bit axe this is a great buy that will really perform well at an import price for all American made quality.

Handle is as straight as a pride parade...Also, aluminum wedge doesn’t let you set small metal wedges. The axe sits on a shelf and gets loose but doesn’t come off.

This is my first and only experience with a double bit axe. It's a pleasure to split with. Been splitting with it right out of the box with no modifications or sharpening yet. It's sort of a blank slate and I look forward to improving it by stripping the paint and reprofiling/sharpening it. Can't fine another axe like it for the value. I plan on buying another council tool axe.

Real nice tool at a great price point. Steel is very hard and holds an edge well and the handle has good grain orientation and a tight grain pattern.

A. I love Council ToolI own several of theyre axes, i wanted a double for awhile. This was a budget price axe and does require some work, definetly needed sharpening if you want to actually cut with it. Handle profile is fine i dont care for the shellac or whatever is on it i striped off and linseed oil handle. The overall fit and finish and balance of Axe are good its just not ready to go to the field upon arrival, hence the price i suppose. If someone handed mine to me as it is now id rate 5 star.

The axe is as advertised and made in the U.S.A. The handle could use a little sanding and a smoother finish to improve handling, but it swing nicely and bites deep into hard wood. The edges from the factory are usable but really benefit from some hand sharpening. It took me maybe 15 to 20 minutes using a Lansky Dual Grit Sharpener to clean up the edges and sharpen the axe to a nice edge. The three and a half pound head seems a little heavy at first but a few minutes later I was impressed by it's deep bite into the hard wood as compared to the cut by the two and a half pound axe. My only some what negative comment is that the bite is deep enough that I had to take a little more effort to remove the bit from its cut.