Council Tool Product: Hudson Bay Axe Made in: Lake Waccamaw, NC
Est.: 1886
Something visceral happens when you pick up the Council Tool Velvicut Premium Hudson Bay Axe. A tool like this cleared the way for voyageurs and Southern settlers alike, and human muscle seems to recognize such heritage. Founded in 1886, the family-run, North Carolina–based outfitter produces fine mauls, mattocks, bush hooks, and more, but the pride of the line is this short axe with the traditional Hudson Bay head. The steel is American made, and the twenty-four-inch handle is Appalachian hickory, slim enough to flex and stout enough to last. With a drop-forged, hand-honed, two-pound bit, it’s small enough to toss in a canoe, store under a truck seat, or strap to a pack, but brawny enough to clear the way to a tangled campsite. Swing it like you mean it. This axe can take it.
Council Tool Company Joins NC Manufacturing Network
No Comments | by Gray Rinehart |
Council Tool Company, maker of "hard-working tools for hard-working professionals," recently joined the Manufacturing Makes It Real Network.
(Red hot axe heads, on their way to becoming Council Tool axes. Image from the company web site.)
Council Tool Company makes heavy-duty tools for heavy-duty work, including a variety of firefighting tools from forcible entry tools to fire rakes that they designed in cooperation with the Forestry Service and are now known as "Council rakes."
John Pickett Council founded Council Tool in 1886, producing special metal bars used to extract resin from pine trees to make tar and turpentine -- tools that were far superior to other tools for doing that job. Very soon after starting the company, Mr. Council laid out the core beliefs that have governed the company ever since:
Manufacture a quality product.
Offer value by being an innovative and progressive manufacturer.
Be straightforward and honest in your dealings.
Be a good corporate citizen.
Council Tool's employees -- "hard-working Americans who take great pride in their work" -- continue to fulfill Mr. Council's legacy, despite changes in the market, in manufacturing methods, and in factory equipment. The company recognizes that its employees are the real source of its success: their skills, experience and dedication make it possible for Council Tool to produce high quality products that deliver tremendous value.
The company is proud that its products are fashioned from high-quality materials right here in the U.S., including American-made steel and American hickory. The company recently "introduced a series of multi-purpose products that includes the Combi-Tool (shovel and pick), Form-A-Nator (sledge and mattock), and SOS Tool (halligan, sledge and hook)," all made at their North Carolina headquarters.
Council Tool is still a family business, committed to sustainable, environmentally-responsible production of quality goods for any industries that require heavy-duty hand tools.
COUNCIL TOOL WILL BE EXHIBITING AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM, BOOTH 9714
AT FDIC IN INDIANAPOLIS APRIL 19 – 21, 2012.
PLEASE COME BY TO SEE FORGED USA MADE FIRE TOOLS
AND VISIT WITH COUNCIL TOOL REPRESENTATIVES
MARGO COUNCIL AND JOE MCSHANE. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!
In celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Council Tool Company we are introducing a new line of Premium Axes, the Velvicut® line. The name Velvicut® was trademarked in 1962 to represent the "Velvet Cut" of a sharp axe. These axes are made from 5160 grade alloy steel, have premium grade "A" Appalachian hickory handles and come with leather sheaths. All components are MADE IN THE USA.
UPDATE: August 11- We are forging the newly designed Premium Hudson Bay axe, product # JP20HB24C. The poll has been extended to provide a more balanced tool, we have redesigned the eye wall featuring ribs to provide a more secure head to handle bond and the premium leather sheath has both a belt slit and a buckle for added security. See below for a photo of what the head looks like after the forging process...
The first in the line is a 4# Dayton Pattern American Felling axe.
Features
4 lb Dayton pattern axe head, balanced design.
Forged from 5160 grade alloy steel for edge holding and toughness.
Heat treated and tempered to Rc 50-54. Hardened zone is 1-1/4” from cutting edge.
Hand sharpened using increasingly fine grit abrasives and leather.
“A” grade American hickory handle. Curved pattern with flared grip. Handle length is 36” before assembly. Typically 1” to 1-1/2” is removed during the assembly process.
Securely joined with softwood wedge crossed by steel wedges.
Durable leather sheath included.
Manufactured in Lake Waccamaw, NC, USA.
Information will be sent by email so if you have not placed an order in the last year, fill out our "Contact Request" and we will add you to the email list. You can also become a fan on FaceBook for updates.
KT-CAMP10 Council Tool Camping Kit
Enjoy your outdoor adventure more with these handy tools.
175HBS18 - 1.75# Hudson Bay Camp Axe with leather sheath
• Clearing camp area
• Cutting and splitting wood and kindling
• Protecting campsite
• Dressing game PR25 - 2.5# Engineer Hammer
• Hammering tent pegs or stakes
• Driving nails
• Striking horseshoe or volleyball net stakes 10PK18- 1# Groundhog pick
• Digging and trenching campfire
• Mining for metals or artifacts
• Foraging for oysters or clams 62518-18” Wrecking Bar
• Prying up tent pegs
• Removing nails
• Moving heavy objects
Council Tool introduces the ultimate Halligan Forcible entry tool!
This forcible entry tool is one piece, drop forged from alloy steel. Working ends are heat treated for maximum strength, toughness and wear resistance. The fork, ads and awl are designed for leverage and strength. Widths and tapers are intended to allow easy penetration.
Forged-in holes (eyes) allow for personal customization and strapping. Powder coated for a premium durable finish. MADE IN USA!
Item numbers are:
HAL1P24 - 24" Overall length, weight is 8.5 lbs
HAL1P30 - 30" Overall length, weight is 10.5 lbs
HAL1P36 - 36" Overall length, weight is 12 lbs
S.O.S™ 3-Tools-In-1 Firefighting Tool
Council Tool proudly introduces the S.O.S™ Tool (Special Operations Survival Tool), a
trademark pending, multi-use 3-in-1 tool. The tool’s most unique benefit is its ability
to break through concrete block. This firefighting forcible entry tool has been added to
our full line of professional quality, 100% American-made hand tools. It is also ideal
for law enforcement and military applications.
The S.O.S. Tool combines a pry bar, a sledge hammer and a super-hard hook into one
dynamic tool. The hook end can be used as a battering ram on concrete block to quickly
get into a room for a rescue or to get out of a dangerous situation. Constructed of
forged alloy steel, the hook end has been heat-treated for extra strength and durability.
Featuring solid, one-piece construction, the S.O.S. Tool is balanced for easy swinging.
The handle will not break in the event of an overstrike. In addition, the sledge hammer
has a machined striking face.
Because the S.O.S. Tool is a multi-purpose product, there is no need to purchase,
carry or store three separate tools. This tool is backed by Council’s long-standing
reputation for quality and reliability.
Council Tool Receives First Place Safety Award
From the Forging Industry Association
Because of our outstanding safety record in 2010, The Council
Tool Company was awarded First Place in Size Group 1 by the
Forging Industry Association. Congratulations and thank you to
the employees for working safely in 2010!
