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Your cart is empty. Council has been making hand tools since 1886, and they set the standard for quality and design. All Council axe heads are drop forged from high quality tool steel.
3.5 LB MICHIGAN PATTERN DOUBLE BIT AXE WITH 36 INCH STRAIGHT WOODEN HANDLE
NOTE:
Michigan pattern originated from the state of the same name. One end is thinner and sharper and used for knot-free cutting; the other end is thicker and blunter and is used when knots were present or to cut near the ground where contact with dirt is likely.
PRODUCT DETAILS AT GLANCE:
- Forged tool steel head
- Hand sharpened double bits for cutting and splitting, sharpened in the same manner
- ANSI Standards call for bit hardness of Rc 45-60, at least ? inch back from the cutting edge. Council Tool internal standards call for tempered bit hardness of Rc 48-55 and we target 1-1/4 inches from the cutting edge.
- Head coated with red enamel and cutting edges in clear lacquer to deter rust
- 36 inch double-bit American hickory handle. Eye section is dried to below 10% moisture content to minimize shrinkage and help prevent loosening
- Axe head is hydraulically seated onto handle and secured with a serrated aluminum wedge. The serrated shape improves bite and the aluminum choice of material is strong, lightweight and does not change size with moisture content.
- The interior detail of the eye is tapered and allows for a strong mechanical bond. Approximately ? inch of overall length of handle is removed during assembly.
Council Tool Company is as much about people as it is about tools. After all, it’s people who design the tools and manufacture and market them.All products are backed by more than 120 years of quality, reliability and tool-making expertise from one of the oldest forging operations in the United State.
N. Richard
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2024
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.
TK
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2023
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.
brandywine
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2021
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.
Hunter
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
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.
DJC
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2018
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.
Ralph R. Salmon
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2016
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.
Larry
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2015
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.
Steven R. Swanson
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2012
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.
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