Splitting with the New Council Tool Jersey and Old Classic Jersey

Testing the splitting capabilities of the New Council Tool Jersey Pattern and comparing with the old Council Tool Classic Jersey

[@bluegrassoutdoors]

I agree about the flick. It is a great technique but I have found that it doesn’t irk very well with some oak because of how stringy it is. It seems like it’s easier to split straight through and cut the fibers instead, in my opinion. Great video!

[@Brian2bears]

Mr. Stuart @16:00 a squirrel begins to compete with the oration...I really enjoyed the comparison and look forward to falling and bucking with the "new" model. I have seen some axemen custom grind the 5 and 6 pound splitters/forcible entry axes to chop and buck and they work nicely...great video, well put together sir...

[@urbanlumberjack]

Would love to see those axes, I bet those hit hard. These squirrels are chatty, and love to blow the transformer outside our house! Thanks for the encouragement!

[@jasonsiegler6670]

I always viewed the old council Jersey as an axe that could do a lot of things ok. It wouldn’t be your first choice for a splitter or chopper, but if you could only bring one axe to your cabin, it would be a top contender.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I feel the exact same way. This is the one axe I would take if I can only have one.

[@Kevin.L_]

I guess the 3.5 Jersey could have a better profile for splitting, but it's just such a pleasure to swing. I'll use the council 5lb splitter when absolutely necessary, but I'll switch back to the Jersey ASAP.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Definitely it’s really fun to split with! I really enjoy splitting with a felling axe

[@Kevin.L_]

@@urbanlumberjack same here.

[@leecraven7256]

Thanks man.

[@urbanlumberjack]

For sure! Thanks for checking in

[@MattKeevil]

Good point about the hazards of trying to free a stuck axe. I got a pretty bad cut while rocking an axe out of a block but I got my index finger instead of my thumb.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Man I bet that one hurt for a while!

[@MattKeevil]

@@urbanlumberjack yup and ruined a work glove too.

[@helterskelter156]

That Jersey is the same one I got recently (after watching your video on the original Jersey). Great chopping axe, though I agree that it isn’t a real great splitter. I also noticed that (when felling and chopping trees) the amount of stick varies from wood species to wood species. Certain types of wood will act almost like glue when you stick your axe in it (especially a flat ground axe), while others will chunk out much easier. Thanks for the video comparison!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Very cool! I’m definitely going to convex the profile. For sure some species are like a sponge, maple particularly and poplar in the spring! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@helterskelter156]

@@urbanlumberjack Yeah. I convexed mine after one chopping session. Btw, I use DMt diafolds instead of files. Have you ever tried those? Works especially well on harder steel, and I love using them. Not as fast as a Bastard file, perhaps, but in my experience it leaves a finer edge.

[@brettbrown9814]

Excellent comparison video! Do you think the phantom bevels on your original axe are reducing sticking? Also do you find the balance nicer on the new design?

[@trackpants_vans_and_wheelies]

​@urbanlumberjack can you do video of how to convex? Just bought a new CT jersey.

[@ShovelheadMatt]

That chopping block is super high. Do you like the feel of the axe making contact that high up in your swing?

[@urbanlumberjack]

I generally use whatever block I have around, so I didn’t make this height intentionally. Although I do think I’d prefer a block that’s too high to one that’s too low, as long as I’m making contact with the wood a little below waist height

[@four4bman979]

I have the same axe as you described as older, i.e, Dayton pattern. It will split ok to a point. Council Tool should consider a Tazmanian pattern style axe head.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’d love it if they made a Tasmanian. Also would be cool if they made a broad axe again

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

Lay a card on the edge and I'd almost bet you'll see light shining under the card. Thats my one and only beef with CT

[@urbanlumberjack]

I noticed the hollow grind. I could see someone flattening it to make a great chopper, or convexing to make a more all purpose axe. Thanks for sharing!

[@WoodsmanHobo777]

I bought one of the the old SU Jersey's and one of Council Tool's flying fox and both had hollow grinds on the edges. Real bummer i would buy one of these newer ones but I'm sure the same guy at CT is putting hollow grinds on them.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I love my flying fox. I put it on a boys axe handle and love it. Will be picking up the straight handle 22 inch flying fox soon. It’s a very useful tool.

[@MissCase530]

Gotta use a maul for that dry, red oak. Nothing like an 8-10 lb head smashing through that fiber. Feels good too. Nothing like splitting wood by hand, makes women melt and sigh when they see you.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Haha I love that!

[@joshkelloggKCR]

How did the balance feel with the new jersey? Seems like that was what changes were for.

[@urbanlumberjack]

It’s great to swing, super balanced. The forging is also really crisp, I’m looking forward to seeing the beveled version

[@MavrikWillowbough]

Awesome video! CT puts out some seriously great stuff, but Imo the profiles od these jerseys are a hair too thin for splitting. I'm curious why you prefer these? Just restored a northern king with some fat cheeks ans splits like a dream!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks for taking the time to drop a note. They are definitely feeling axes I’m not sure why they are advertised as splitters. I like the CT jerseys because they are plentiful, priced right, and I can give them a high level of finish. They are great for hewing, which I do a lot, as they have a taller and more flat bit than the Daytons and michigans, and the handles are great. If you look at Liam Hoffman’s handles they are almost a direct copy of the CT 32c.

[@nisamvise1724]

Would you say the old classic jersey is the best all around axe? Better than the dayton and new jersey?

[@urbanlumberjack]

I haven’t used the New Jersey classic so couldn’t say to that. I do prefer the jersey over most Daytons, but that really comes down to personal preference. My old jersey classic is still my favorite axe, we’ve been through a lot together!

[@nisamvise1724]

@@urbanlumberjack That old jersey is a absolute beauty something about the lugs just really adds to it. If you don't mind me asking, why do you prefer the jersey over most daytons?

[@urbanlumberjack]

I prefer jersey patterns. They have a wider bit and are usually a flatter bit profile which really helps me hew logs. That counciontool has I believe a 5 1/8 inch bit which is awesome. Also I really like the lugs!

[@Joey-L]

I've always thought it odd that this axe is marketed as a splitter. Just doesn't seem to have the right profile for it. I have a few vintage Jersey patterns and they are all so thin I would never consider them for splitting.

[@urbanlumberjack]

For sure great axe but def a chopper. I think it will split a lot better with a different grind, I’ll do that soon. Vintage jerseys are awesome

[@barrynichols3121]

You are splitting with a chopper.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Yessir that does seem to be the case. It was listed as a “splitter” by the dealer I bought from. It shouldn’t be listed as a splitter.

[@PuReBlOoD3478]

U look like Viva.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I love Viva! Watched his channel for a long time, at one point I helped him locate documents he needed to make his videos