Testing Two Vintage Axes: The Connecticut Pattern vs The Jersey!

Connie Vid: • The Connecticut Patter...

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

That jersey did work! I can’t tolerate a sticky axe either. I’ve found that thin profiles work really well in locust (or any other very dense, easy splitting wood) but that’s it. I prefer a thicker profile to avoid sticking and popping chips better. Cool video sir. I really liked that white oak handle!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I prefer thin profiles for felling and limbing and when bucking maple, which is dense like locust, otherwise 20 or just sub is best in my experience. But then most of our axes are pretty flat. If you could find a true hcl Dayton, I wonder if you could go much more acute. Cook preached 15 with a micro bevel, but as you point out everyone measures differently, so what did he mean?

[@brettbrown9814]

They are both beautiful axes. The Plumb really looks the part and does the business! Loved the close ups.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

No arguments there. They are beauties.

[@kurts64]

I like em both! Reckon they'd make a good team. I had high hopes for the Plumb, glad to see it filling a role. The Connie on that more traditional handle would be a super comfy all-day axe in the right conditions though. Awesome shooting as always!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Definitely a good pair. I need to feel and limb a tree with the Connie. Pretty sure that’s where she’ll shine.

[@kurts64]

@@KevinsDisobedience yup

[@Brian2bears]

I admire your turkey population and your asparagus spread Mr. Kevin. This production has helped me in the decisions concerning my own Jersey. I had also wondered about the spelling of Doobly-do... Now I know...

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Super healthy turkey population. It’s really boomed in the last three or four years. This is the first hard winter they had in awhile. Good to see some made it are eager to mate. You can spell it anyway you want, so long as you comment in it lol.

[@jeffreyjeffers156]

I'm definitely a Jersey pattern fan. They are my favorite pattern of all

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Definitely a good all around pattern, and lots of them out there.

[@chadmcdougle9341]

Where can I find some chainmail protection socks like those? They look fairly heavy duty.

[@contemporaryprimitiveman3469]

Enjoyed your video. I find watching other people chop wood a lot less tiring than doing it myself! Love the vintage axes.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I enjoy watching too. Do plenty of that myself. Thanks for taking the time to say so.

[@rogerrobinson4446]

Beautiful axes man. I love the polished bit on that Plumb.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Came out nice. I only wish I had made it a little keener.

[@aaronwilcox6417]

Either. Both are beautiful. I wish we had hardwoods here where I'm at in the west. All we have are conifers so most any axe works

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I wish we had some of the big cedar and for you have out there. Up north and east of me a little we have some older growth hemlock, but most of the pine and spruce around here are replants from 60yrs ago or so, so not that big.

[@spektr540hemi]

In my experience it really all depends on each head. I have Connies, Jerseys, Tassies and Daytons from the same time periods and makes that can be thin or with thick centerlines, both ghost beveled and regular. Many times it just comes down to how that individual head was made. Haft profile is HUDGE for sure !! And MANY times it can come down to mere millimeters or less, from one haft to the next. The search continues... But much like cherry blossoms, a lifetime spent looking for the perfect one is a life well lived.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I have seen a few Connies that were slightly thicker, but personally I’m convinced it takes major changes in axe geometry to make minor differences in chopping. Now species of wood makes a world of difference, as I said here the Connie does fine in red oak. But yes, the search continues…

[@spektr540hemi]

@@KevinsDisobedience Indeed, in general I agree on all points. And I am not attempting to defend any particular type of axe. Connies/Jerseys and a good number of Tassies are indeed rather flat cheecked and horrible splitters. However, for instance I have two old True Tempers from the same time period that have VERY different side to side profiles...one rather thin and the other more than 1/4" thicker centerline that tapers nicely to top and bottom and splits with the best I have seen. Of coarse I have profiled the edges of both to best suit their overall attributes... Yes the search, and fun, continues...

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. Very instructive.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks, glad it helped. Just having fun in the woods.

[@MiloKolb]

Great chopping, I always learn something when I watch your videos

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks Milo, glad to share what I’ve learned or experimented with. I can only imagine how much we would learn if we could go back in time and work at a logging camp for a week or two.

[@rons3736]

You make it look easy. Glad to see your arms are doing well. Other than the sticking that Connie did Knot mind the tough wood. The "Jersey Bounce" is something I am trying after seeing @The vintage axe hoarder video. Great editing transitioning the slowmo into the up close shot!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

That technique is an old Basque trick if you’re interested. Thanks for noticing the edit.

[@OnceUponAnotherTime]

Over the past few months, returned to this several times. Really well done. No nonsence presentation. Clear. Oh -- And I have three Jerseys (no Connies). But two of my CT Jerseys are the "sans bevel" version. I *suppose* that makes it more like what a Connie would be? Especially with their thin, flat cheeks. It's exactly as you said, seems to be same as a Connie except for width of blade (edge to eye) and lugs vs no lugs. Maybe I need an old Kelly Jersey to know what a "real" Jersey is like. Nevertheless, My CT beveled Jersey on 36" haft isn't really that much wedgier than my slightly less expensive, non-beveled CT versions on 32" halfs. Just aesthetic difference between the two, I think -- that is, so far as Council Tool's most recent iteration of the Jersey pattern goes. Both bits at 22 deg. with convexed edges (the inital, roughly hollow ground edges CT put on them all rolled, so I may have overcompensated when I reprofiled them, beef them up... that and, I wonder if they burned the edge when they ground them? Maybe reprofiling I took them back into properly tempered steel?). The 36, though, is a delight in bucking our Ash (typically what I'm bucking here, trunks and boughs I have a local tree service drop off, friends of mine). It's all that power afforded by the longer handle. But the no-phantom-bevels version on a 32", not too far behind, performance-wise, so I sort of spend more time with that. A 32" handle gives me much more reliably accurate placements. I do notice that. Less flop in how the bit lands. So... that's my 2 cents on Jerseys, without anything to contribute, really, on Connecticuts, per se -- except speculation that Council tool actually _is_ giving you a Connecticut in their "Jersey" pattern. Thoughts on that? ...... (Off topic, I still spend most time with my fat-cheeked, vintage 4 lb Michigan-patterned Plumbs, banana grinds to just about 20 deg. with 1-2 mm microbevel stone-honed bits on curved hickory. That weight, and that profile, those suckers just blast through wood up here in southern Minnesota, bucking AND splitting. Explosive! And hold an edge forever. File tested to between 55 and 60 rockwell. I never wanted to like my Plumbs, but sheesh, didn't take long to win me over. I still get my Jerseys out to show them some love, keep them from getting jealous regarding the Michigans. (Please don't let them know the Plumbs are always with me in my truck). But I never get to fell. THAT might be the place where I'd go get my Jersey's or even my Daytons. Horizontal swinging might be their advantage over the heavier Plumbs?... Just don't know. Guessing, because I don't get to fell big trees. It's just bucking and splitting (as I suppose is the case for most people).

[@OnceUponAnotherTime]

Oh crap. Sensitive little things. My Jerseys are sulking now. Better take them out to the wood lot, give them some quality time. Thanks again for posting this vid! Love your work, the well-grounded analyses/evaluations and playful nod to Thoreau. Please keep them coming.

[@chimmy4244]

Love seeing the strutters!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Pretty sure the Connecticut patterns were designed for hardwoods. I could see them sticking badly in a soft woods and even maple. but a truly beautiful ask, both that and the jersey.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

They really are. Yeah, it works a little better in red oak. But the Tassie destroys it by a mile.

[@patriotismxkills]

Pitter patter let's get at er

[@chimmy4244]

Good to see you coming around to the connie I remember the first video you bashed it. I only have one connie and it's a plumb and think it's a great axe. Also might have a higher centerline than your kelly but hard to tell. Either way that polished plumb looked sweeeet!!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I still don’t love it. Think it’s over hyped, but I’m ready to change my mind. I need to fell with it and limb a tree before I will pass final judgment.

[@justinwaalkes8409]

Great video as always, beautiful jersey!😁

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks man, really turned out nice!

[@justinwaalkes8409]

@@KevinsDisobedience That it did!!😁

[@roddyferguson8765]

Nice axe action min

[@lukasking2573]

Great video, great informations. Again

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks brother, good to see you in the comments again.

[@KillingerUSA]

Great video as always. You crack me up with the beard

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Just a bit of fun

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Not meaning to disparage your fun popping all those kindly-chips, but every tool has its place, its best function. For axes, that's NOT bucking logs. Some millennia back, people invented saws, which evolved via different tooth patterns to suit different purposes. For all this bucking, may I suggest one of the many one-man crosscut saws? If you prefer moving teeth you might like a 40-50cc chainsaw, then save yourself and your axes for limbing and driving wedges, and keep real (e.g. Austrian Mueller) mauls handy for splitting. That saves lots of wood too.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks, this is just for fun and exercise. I use a chainsaw to process my firewood.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

@@KevinsDisobedience Good for you. Some folks have a thing about using an ax for everything, as in Dudley Cook of "The Ax Book." As much of an improvement as a good crosscut saw would be, it's still a "misery whip." I pack axes, mauls, and chainsaws (surgically filed) from 33 to 75 cc. They'll give me all the exercise I can handle, before lugging wood to the truck, as my sole source of heat, burning everything above wrist-size. As a Yankee, waste of wood bugs me. Mueller 3 kg mauls are worth their weight in silver.

[@940joey2]

Hey Kevin great video man !! Wow both axes chopped extremely well. I never had the opportunity to use a Connie, yet from pictures I always thought they were kind of similar to the Jersey as far as the cheeks for being more flat versus having a HCL like a Michigan or a Dayton. Really like the look of that jersey, I like how it kind of resembles a Rockaway pattern with that rounded lug vs. the pointy lug of a true temper jersey. I also really like how you brought out the phantom bevels by polishing them it’s a great look !! I have to say your handle idea is really growing on me, I was taking to Matt about it and he said he tried it himself and really likes it. Thin but wider in the parallel portion of the handle. I’m going to try and locate a handle I can shape to that dimension. It’s interesting to me how minor differences in handle dimensions can amplify hazards in a glance, when you stated that when rounded it’s more likely to twist in your hand during a glance aiming the axe toward your foot. Where the way you prefer your handles lessens the chance of the axe rotating. Awesome video and information man !!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I’ve been flattening the sides of my handles for awhile now, but this is the most extreme one so far. It actually feels kind of uncomfortable to hold, but once I swung it a few times I forgot about it and could almost not make myself miss. But all that aside, it definitely makes a difference when it glances. But don’t take my word for it, give it a try.

[@940joey2]

@@KevinsDisobedience absolutely I’m giving this a try!! I’m hoping it helps me out and improves my chopping!! I just got a handle from Matt !! The handle looks amazing, it’s hackberry so I’m really excited to see how it is vs. hickory !! Also he made the side more flat and the handle sightly taller, looks similar to your spec handle !! Can’t wait to try it out once my hand heals up 👍

[@jeffreyrubish347]

Nice chopping! I only have old axes: Plumbs, Sager, Collins. The single bits are Daytons but vary in profile.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Nothing wrong with that. They’ll do whatever you ask them to.

[@Nathan_knoeller]

I’ve got a few jerseys that are fantastic choppers and don’t get stuck in wood. I haven’t gotten a Connie yet to try out but I agree with you that it would probably be better for felling and limbing because of how thin they get

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I’ve done a little limbing with it, but haven’t felled a tree yet.

[@venkovenkov3220]

Cool and usefull video, subscribed!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks you, sir. Hope I don’t disappoint

[@MrDesmostylus]

That jersey is so nice!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

She is pretty. I only wish I had taken it down some more. Will do at some point.

[@ajaxtelamonian5134]

I do like a Jersey. Got the Council Red one as a good heavy duty axe incase I need one. No where near as often as I'd like sadly.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I’ve got an old Council I need to sharpen up myself. Same here. Just don’t get out as much as I’d like.

[@jasonscott4525]

Nice video. I really like the colouring of your handles. Do you only use BLO?

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Yes on most of them, but I’ve recently started using Killinger’s Snake Juice which has a darker tone to it. The Connie might have a coat of that overtop the BLO. Can’t remember.

[@timwatsonphotography]

Great video Kevin. My 3 1/2 lb Jersey has met all my hopes and more. The chips just fly.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

That’s good to hear. What make is yours?

[@timwatsonphotography]

Just a Council Tool but I wouldn’t change a thing.

[@Master...deBater]

I tried to like my pristine Belknap Bluegrass and Kelly Perfect Jerseys...but that tall bit can't help but remind me of my detested Connies and Tassies!!! If only they had made those bits long and narrow like Daytons and Michigans...then all axes would look and perform the same and I could be happy!!! Let's be honest...who needs variety in form and function anyway?

[@keithhastings]

Hi Joe. I’m enjoying your videos very much. I’m just getting into axes, and I’ve managed to collect a few good ones. Recently I came across a Plumb wide bit Dayton pattern head with a phantom bevel. I know this video is a comparison between the Jersey and Connecticut patterns, but I’m curious on how you feel about the wide bit Dayton Also, do you think the phantom bevel decreases the stickiness you mentioned, or does it mainly help with splitting only? Thanks!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Hi Keith, name is Kevin. Thanks for watching and welcome. Personally I think Dayton’s with a high center line are the best heads out there. Hard to find ones with a hcl though. As far as the bevels go, they are mostly aesthetic. At least when there set this far back. Makes sense in theory though.

[@joshkelloggKCR]

A Connecticut pattern is on the list to try if I could find one in northern MI.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I’m sure you can find one if you’re willing to pay what they’re asking these days. I could easily sell this head for $200+ shipping.

[@joshkelloggKCR]

@@KevinsDisobedience I have bought a few axes off ebay but I prefer to hunt for them in the wild. Seem to get much more satisfaction out of them that way lol

[@bombsawaylemay770]

How does the Connie and Jersey compare to your LAMACA?

[@Codi_Clapper]

I thought the Connie would have been superior in hardwoods. I have a modern jersey and it gets terrible sticky due to the thin cheeks and flat bit. Plumb was a great company and obviously appreciated great geometry back in the day. Love that jersey of yours! What distinguishes a Connecticut pattern from a Tasmanian? They look very similar. Are tassies usually shorter bits or fatter geometry? I’ve been under the impression that they are one of the best for hardwood.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

In my opinion, Tassies are just fatter Connies. They usually weigh more too.

[@Master...deBater]

I agree 100% with Kevin! He's my new hero...we both share an absolute disdain for Connies and Tassies! I own two of each...so I should know. I can't even go into my own garage for fear that I might lay eyes upon or catch wind of any of them. The worst purchase I ever made was paying $30 plus $40 shipping for a barely used Hytest Craftsman 4.5# with its original Spotted Gum handle, factory bevel and 80% of the green paint intact! My shrink says that for the sake of my mental health I should sell it. Sure...I could probably get $300 for it...but I couldn't live with myself knowing that I had inflicted that hideous stinking pig on some poor unsuspecting stranger! In fact...I think Kelly and Plumb should have to pay reparations to the entire continent of Australia for, in my view, criminally shipping Connies in the form of Tassies to the innocent people of Australia. And worse yet influencing them in the development of their own heinous pattern! We all owe Kevin a debt of gratitude for having the unmitigated gall for his disobedience in telling the truth about these evil daemon axes!

[@victorkramer2596]

those are great axes, i wish i could get them in brazil

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Tassies are hard to come by here, so I feel your pain.

[@victorkramer2596]

@@KevinsDisobedience well it's hard to come by any good axe here honestly

[@victorkramer2596]

@@KevinsDisobedience the one good brand we have is called Wenzel

[@jamesparish2937]

Do you have thoughts on older American companies such as Collins?

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Not really. Haven’t used enough. But the two Plumbs I own have steel that is too hard to file. Don’t know if that’s normal or just coincidence.

[@charlesghant3230]

Collins are okay. Not a super fan of them unless you can get a Legitimus made one. That's their higher end and guarantees you get an authentic Collins. They were pirated back in the day so a lot of fakes were made. I'd suggest getting a True Temper or Kelly Woodslasher. They will have either the 4 or 6 eye ridges inside of the eye. The 4 eye would have 2 eyes on one side about 1/2" apart and on the opposite site they will be 1" apart. They can be had for about the same or even a little less than a Collins. Just my opinion my friend.

[@eddyarundale1566]

👋

[@deadweasel7942]

Your aim is dead accurate. Nicely done. Have you ever heard of Stiletto axes and Homecrest axes? I found a couple of vintage hewing hatchets for a pretty fair deal. I hung them on House handles, but I can't find any history about them.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I’ve seen heads stamped Stiletto, but I’m not the guy to ask about axe history. My guess is they were probably made by another axe company. Like I have a Michigan pattern with a John Deere sticker on it. Well I know damn well John Deere didn’t make axes, but I’m not sure who made it for them or when.

[@skaagkaal2613]

I would take that jersey if you'd have offered it to me. It looks like a more versatile axe than the connecticut. You can chop with it well enough and split wood if needed. Less energy wasted doing the same tasks compared to the connecticut.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

It’s definitely a better all around axe, but I found myself using the Connie when knocking the rounds apart, and I would have preferred it to limb and fall. But for bucking and splitting, the Jersey for the win.

[@Ivan-fb6lt]

couple beauties

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Took some doing to get that Jersey in the shape she’s it. It was rough and too hard to file.

[@kurts64]

Ducky!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

🤫 lol

[@Joey-L]

My take away from this video is someone needs to make a Connecticut with phantom bevels.

[@rogerrobinson4446]

I would love to see a manufacturer make new reproductions of the classic American axe styles. There are so few left with full bits.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Not sure if that would work, but worth a try. I true hcl would be better, but then you’re basically making it a Dayton. I suspect this axe had a very specific use case. Like limbing large limbs and felling hardwood trees in Connecticut.

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

New min challenge- Funny chopping face? 😂

[@rogerrobinson4446]

Oh yeah I've got this.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Hahaha that’s a good idea for your TikTok.

[@kurts64]

Second! By 11 seconds!

[@jthepickle7]

I was a fool to ever look up axes! Now axes is all I get on YT. Yeah, gonna buy an axe for SHTF but I've got a chain saw until that awful day. Comparison tests on axes, like we were living in internet 1800's (!) - when everyone had and used a proper axe. Face it! - now we use/pretended to use and pretend to sharpen a tool we pretend to know how to wield. Got a problem with 'wield'? - you're in the wrong century! One wields an axe, fool.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks for watching.

[@KillingerUSA]

3rd

[@robertgraves3215]

the young dudes are beating you, time to step it up!

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

First!

[@earthsciteach]

I think of Tazzies as fat connies. Am I wrong about that?

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Nope, not in my book. That’s exactly what I say in the linked video. Took some shit for it, too. Lol

[@jthepickle7]

Remember when YT gave you a recommendation with 1000s of DISLIKES attached, and how you used to skip over the crappy video?

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Yeah, those were the days. Hope you have a good day, man.