Council ToolSport Utility 2 lbs. 24 inch Hudson Bay Axes, SU20HB24C

Perfectly balanced very, very nice. Worth the cost. Recommend this for everyone.

I bought this to replace the 18" inch that a gave to my mom, she liked the feel and balance of that hatchet so much she said she wanted one, and having already did the work on the handle by scraping of the varnish and sanding it down to 800 grit, and oiled it with a mixture of tung oil. I decided to just give that hatchet to her as it was a bit too small for me anyway. So with this 24" incher on hand I decided to give the handle the same treatment, and gave the bit a good polished 20 degree edge. For those who are wondering, mine came with perfect grain orientation on the handle, the head mounted properly and the bit perfectly in line with the handle. As far as durability goes, I've only used it to split kindling and so far so good. I did however buy a leather mask for it as it did not come with one, but for the price, you really can't beat it.

The forging and final finish of the axe head seem pretty good - better than some previous Council axes. My problem here is that a tool cut this handle lengthwise below the head at some point during assembly or in the warehouse before it got to me. This is going to be hard to sand out, and might leave a stress riser that will cause a split on an otherwise nice handle. Someone should have had just a little more care before sending this out to a customer.

Ordered for my grandson just a short time ago and the handle already broke and cracked. Really disappointed. I have to go out and by a new handle at this point :(

So far I'm loving my new CT axe. The handle is a great size at just under 24", and it's 2lb weight is well worth it's weight in my pack. Pretty sure my handle came unvarnished, which was really nice because it was very easy to apply some boiled linseed oil, which seems to be the tried and true method of choice for preservation of a wood handled tool. Great redesign on the bit too. hardened pole for hammering tasks, and near perfect balance f rom front to back, so no matter which orientation your swinging the axe, the head won't twist on you. Even if your using the side of the bit to tap in a tent steak or two.

Great smaller axe. Axe head is made very well and axe handle wood grain is perfect.

All the current Council Tool products are so much better than the used to be, 10 or 15 years go. Quality wise. The wood is way better; the handles are hung better. And, while I always liked their Hudson Bay pattern heads, the new design is definitely better. Now they make great axes at all their price points. This is a great axe --- that sweet spot right between a canoe axe and a felling axe. I grew up calling an axe this size a "boys axe." This is a very good example of that, at a good price.