The New Council Tool Jersey Axe and 30c Heritage Handle from Whiskey River

Taking a look at the New Jersey axe from Council Tool

[@Brian2bears]

Mr. Stuart, your review and critique is thorough. As to the new Jersey head, my opinion is that there is a large amount of Hoffman-Smith influence to this design change/alteration. Almost suspicious it is... You mentioned ten-thousand (10K) swings in reference to the handle. For an avid axeman that is about three weeks work in my estimation. I am interested in the new head however, being a fan of the old one, I hope it doesn't disappoint...

[@urbanlumberjack]

I also like the old model a lot. Would love to hear your thoughts on the new model. What are your opinions on the handle runout? That’s fascinating math on the swings, it sounds right

[@brettbrown9814]

Very good video. Thanks for putting it together. Looking forward to your thoughts after you swing it a bit.

[@ethicalaxe]

When I think of jerseys I think of a wide bit for rough hewing. If there was an affordable option that was modern, that could be quite useful to many. I'd like to see an american axe with a 5.5 inch wide bit or more. Old jerseys can have very wide bits. I just found a round lug plumb that's probably 5.75 inches wide. Axe only weighs 3lbs 9oz. I agree with everything you're saying about palm swell, pointy parts that hurts to hold and growth rings. That's definitely a bad B grade handle. It's very difficult to cross cut with an axe over a long period of time when using a tight grip. It's a lot of shock that adds up. Is that the first good fawn's foot you've gotten? I pretty much started making handles because I was disappointed in some of the ones I was getting online. Lumber and shape. I will say making your own handle gives you an appreciation of how difficult it is to process the raw materials and eventually shape the handle. I can't possibly justify selling them for a cheap price when I make them. Air dried and hand riven lumber doesn't seem very commonly sold for impact tools. I can see where the better a handle is the more it prices customers out of buying. I love making my handle, feels very valuable.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Those old jerseys are awesome for hewing. If you ever want to sell some riven handles I bet they wouldn’t sit long on the shelf!

[@MountainMenMilitia]

I just love the forged bevels on the council tool jersey. Mine came with a beautiful heartwood handle. I actually ordered a replacement handle from council tool for that axe in order to hang a different head but found it to be mostly run out. I also have the 30c but in the A grade. It is a nice handle but like you stated kinda pricey. Great video though describing some different things council tool is doing with their new jerseys.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Much appreciated, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! I love those forged bevels too

[@alexr7298]

I appreciate the honest review. That's a shame about the runout. Since you like the shape, it might be worth creating a pattern of the handle in case you want to make a replacement at some point. Regarding the sharpness of the handle: I routinely fix this issue on my favorite hardware store handles (which come from "Do It Best" hardware stores), and I recommend using a card scraper. Even a little bluntness will go a long way. Good luck!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Great suggestion. I did flatten the handle out and it’s very comfortable to use. Holding up well I’m hewing oak this week!

[@jasonsiegler6670]

Where that thin handle belly close to the head comes in handy is for splitting. Much less likely to rip a chunk out of it. Not comfortable though when choking up on the axe.

[@urbanlumberjack]

That makes a lot of sense. I knocked down the edge a bit the handle is now pretty comfortable

[@faxonmclaughlin9993]

I actually shape my handles with a thinner edge on the front side of the handle for this exact reason. If you do a lot of hardwood splitting they get knocked down into that shape over time just cleaning up the handle as the dings happen

[@kurts64]

Was looking forward to this review since Ethicals live, cheers for the vid. Very thorough look at both the head and handle. The new version is almost different enough to be a separate pattern. Reminds me now more of the Granfors AFA. I like the side profile, lug and poll changes. Personally I wouldn't have touched the concavity from bit to eye, but we'll see the results of that in testing I'm sure. 100% agree with your assessment of the handle. Palm swell looks good, but the run out and the eye is a bit iffy. Do they do a bevelled version of this new one? Could be velvicut worthy I reckon. Great vid!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks! And that live stream was a good time! Agreed these do seem like two different patterns, the old one I still like for hewing, this new one though is super balanced and a good chopper. I’m pretty sure the beveled version is updated too but I think it’s still in production

[@Joey-L]

Thanks for the review. All the changes they made seem to be well thought out and hopefully increase performance. Let us know once you giver' a few swings.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Will sure do! I’ve been using the handle and no issues but still need to work those sharp spots down

[@hillbilly4christ638]

I have swung a lot of different patterns and makers. The council jersey is most likely my favorite. I am considering buying the new pattern and give it a workout.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I love swinging the New Jersey, it is exceptionally balanced. I would love to try out the beveled version. Apparently the modeling software Council Tool switched to is much better, and those beveled are coming out really nice and crisp. But of course I was impatient so I bought the first one available instead!

[@joekeller4155]

I agree with all your comments on the handle. I have purchased a lot of them from them and you nailed this! I lean more towards Liam Hoffman’s handles now. Some case I just buy a straight grain from HD then rework the fawn’s foot and make what I want. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@urbanlumberjack]

I haven’t tried any of Hoffman’s handles, do you like them?

[@joekeller4155]

@@urbanlumberjack absolutely! Grain is really good even with B. Nice palm swell, I actually just got an order of 6 in a few days ago.

[@REALJSVM]

Council Tool should pay you. I feel like I need to start collecting their axe models and support their business. Thanks for your insightful review and opinions.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you for the kind words! I do think their axes are high quality, especially for the price. Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@gabrielsturdevant9700]

I wondered why they stopped selling the old red ones

[@940joey2]

Awesome video man !! Love how the axe came out, I really dig the re designed Jersey 🤙. Now as for the handle, i totally agree with you on some points, for example the lower portion near the palm swell is amazing I love it. I also keep a more loose grip on the axe and man you nailed it saying it’s like a lazy boy chair for your hand !! The upper portions of the handle where I makes that sharp tear drop shape, it’s weird but I happen to love that. When I’m tuning my handles to my liking I do it to a very similar feel. I almost feel like if the if it’s almost an oval or rounded all the way up it feels a bit wonky to me. I even tune my double bit handles in a tear drop shape to favor the more predominantly used bit. Idk maybe I’m weird, but I can see how that shape can be a bit uncomfortable for some, it is a bit sharp. Thanks for the awesome video !!

[@urbanlumberjack]

They did a good job with the axe, I think council will keep putting out awesome new stuff over the next few years.

[@MattKeevil]

Looks like a great axe. I do like the looks of that handle shape but that is a lot of runout. I think with hickory you get away some runout but that looks to be pushing its luck! Still, it might last for a long time anyway. Maybe you could add a collar to deal with the sharp edge and reduce the risk of breakage.

[@urbanlumberjack]

That’s a great idea for the wrap!

[@joshkelloggKCR]

To steal a golf term, grip like your holding a baby bird that you don't want to escape. Every time you do a deep dive review it costs me money lol. Very curious if and when they update the classic. I have one and love the bevels but I would purchase another classic if it is updated for the balance. Are the butt end of the Whiskey River handles meant to be trimmed or left as a bit of a counterbalance? Personally i don't like the look if it that way but if its more user friendly I would leave it.

[@urbanlumberjack]

lol! But who does with the most axes wins right! I love the bevels too I believe the classic version will be updated as well, such a nice look. Good analogy on the grip, makes alot of sense to me. The butt is meant to be shaped by the end user, i think a lot of people make a big fawns foot or round it over. Not sure what I’ll do yet

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Kinda sucks that the haft has such an awesome knob and yet a sharp neck like that. You could probably run that on a belt sanding tool and round it out pretty easily to fix that issue. Great axes tho.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you! It was a bummer to have to do some work on the handle, but I think I got it straightened out. The second one I ordered the same style wasn’t as sharp.

[@greekveteran2715]

Thank God, Council Tools, Muller and Hultafors, still make good axes! I hate the fact, that I have to work on the handle, for days, to bring it where it should have been in terms of thickness. However, that and maybe the bevel thickness, that on some may need thinning too, is the price to pay, for a tool that will work properly. My last axe was the Muller Biber Canada, that I want to pair with the Hultafors HY 10- 1.5, and make the perfect duo for my needs!! The Muller is beaver when it comes to felling and limbing, and the Hultafors 1.5 is the perfect for larger trees or harder wood, as also for bucking the wood after you bring down a tree !! PS, My hatchet is a Fiskars X5, did you ever had a hatchet, that had an overall, better performance? I might need to get another, soon, because I've used the hell out of the X7. I can't even remember, how many years I got it

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’ve looked at those Canada axes they look real interesting. From what I’ve seen, Mueller still forges a lot of their access with a triphammer. Really cool watching them work. I haven’t used a Fiskars axe, I hear really good things about them. Thanks for sharing!

[@greekveteran2715]

@@urbanlumberjack Muller are the only axes that come with perfect geometry on the edge and behind the edge. You don't have to reprofile them. The video I linked, shows the Factory edge performance! Deepest bites Ive ever seen with such a light axe!!

[@kurts64]

​@@greekveteran2715 the Muller Canada and the 1.5 Hultafors would be a wicked 2-axe combo👍👍

[@greekveteran2715]

@@kurts64 Spot on! The Biber Canada can drop a tree and delimb it and the Hultafors 1.5 is the perfect axe, to buck the wood after delimbing. and can work as a splitting axe whenever needed. In the same time, both can bring a tree down, but both are ideal for different wood and different size of trees. They can cover almost all the needs. I try to pair them, for the very difficult days that are coming brother. I wish I didn't mean the next Winter, I mean the next years. They've already told us, that we aren't going to have cars, or free gas, or electricity, after 3 to 5 years from now. The've also made laws in my country, for what Im talking about, that they all had a positive vote in our parliament, which means, shtf already man! Ican't even pay my electicity bill as we speak..

[@kurts64]

@@greekveteran2715 sorry to hear that mate. The world's gone crazy that's for sure.

[@tightropehikes]

I’ve watched a bunch of your videos at this point, glad I found your channel, and Glad to see you taking such pride in US made products I too am a big fan of council tools. The Scandinavian axes are too rich for my blood. Are the whisky river handles your favorites? I’ve only used flea markets and house handles so far. I tend to take a rasp to thin them out though.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you! I try to buy US whenever I can. I really like whiskey rivers 30c. The palm deep is amazing. I’d definitely spend the extra to get the A grade if I buy one again, but even the B grade is very high quality wood. My go to handle is the 32c from council tool. It’s an awesome handle and a great deal. The Hoffman 32c handle is basically a direct replica.

[@tightropehikes]

@@urbanlumberjack heck yeah. Thanks man

[@julesgardet659]

I’m impressed, I must own one.

[@urbanlumberjack]

They’re awesome! Really nice to swing

[@Lasharella]

Links would be great where to buy axes you review and also you should sell your custom axes

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@Mg-1234x3]

Do you think the new designed council jersey will get stuck more when splitting? Since they concave'd the cheeks, and thinned them out. One thing I like about my older council jerseys I have, is how chubby & convex'd the cheeks are, they make good splitters.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I do think this model would be slightly less suited to splitting. But it will likely be a better chopper. The grind is sticky on it, i plan to convex the bit to fix that. Very fun to use!

[@Mg-1234x3]

@@urbanlumberjack I use my axes for splitting firewood. I have a few chainsaws that cut wood cross grain just fine. Thanks for the review I might just buy one of these new jerseys just to have it. Lol

[@PuReBlOoD3478]

🇺🇸God bless Council Tool🇺🇸

[@bolandjd]

Did you consider adding a rawhide or leather wrap at the top of the handle where the edge is sharp instead of taking wood off?

[@urbanlumberjack]

That would work great I bet. I took down the edge today and am much happier with it. Next one I hang I’m going to sit the axe farther back and then have more room to round over that edge.

[@christiancruz8254]

How did you get the nice deep color of your original axe? That is a beautiful shade

[@urbanlumberjack]

A lot of it is use and repeated oiling, but I do mix pine tar in linseed oil and that darkens quite a bit over time

[@SONNYListon-m4v]

Yo Man i have question how did you darken the handle of the classic jersey pattern axe ?

[@urbanlumberjack]

I have a handle oil I make up. The darkening ingredient is oak bark tannins. I’ve got a batch made up I’m looking to sell at some point, it’s awesome for darkening handles

[@SONNYListon-m4v]

@@urbanlumberjack ok thanks👍

[@jerrymedrano2537]

Nice goat.

[@josephmcdonald764]

Won't founding the handle effect the balance of the axe?

[@josephmcdonald764]

Rounding

[@urbanlumberjack]

For this small an area I don’t think that’s likely but a good thought. I ended up knocking down the edge and the handle is much more comfortable.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

I think I would have told them to stuff that haft and not hung it. Even if it was a hatchet length haft that is terrible for the price!

[@urbanlumberjack]

If the handle was a lesser quality hickory it would be a very poor handle, but the wood is very dense, and holding up quite well. Of course we will see in the long term if it grenades I’ll update