COUNCIL TOOL Classic Michigan Pattern Double Bit Axe - 3.5 lbs Splitting Axe with 36" Straight Wooden Handle & Phantom Bevels - SU35-2MC

I was pretty happy with the quality of the steel, it takes and holds a nice edge. It has some course grind marks, not any where close to sharp out of the box, but it's made of good steel and the handle is installed properly. I sharpened it on my bench belt grinder that I use for making knives, it cleaned up nice and took a fine edge. Nice tool for the price, looks good after I took the rough off it.

Bought this before I knew anything about axes. I probably wouldn't buy it knowing everything I know now, I'm satisfied with the purchase. The axe I got is pretty good, no obvious defects or problems have revealed themselves after hours of work. The handle was not overly thick, and it feels balanced in the hand, though 36" is a little excessive for most people and non-axe aficionados will not know this. I am not a stickler for grain orientation; my handle has 45 degree orientation, which is fine. I've chopped, bucked and split with this even occasional overstriking and that didn't break my handle. The quality of the steel in the bit is good, though this is far from the best I've seen. This is for people who are considering buying this axe: - You will have to sharpen this axe. This is true for almost any axe you buy, including for the big name premium axes from manufacturers like Hulfurs Bruks. And if you plan on using this for chopping and bucking and not just splitting, you will also have to file down the bit. - I've also seen people complain about the handle. I haven't had any issues. I think this is down to poor quality control on Council Tool's part, which I hear is a problem with many of their more budget axes. - Watch out for the old reviews. Some of the reviews from this axe are from about a decade ago and what they say is no longer relevant. The axe no longer has a single metal wedge, instead, of a wooden one. This is probably not the best axe for the money. But I find it to be perfectly functional.

I've been using the axe for a few days now and have not encountered any problems at all. The axe head is really great quality and it seems just as sharp as when I first took it out of its packaging. With proper care I can see this axe lasting me a very long time. Although I'm giving the axe 5 stars I do have a minor complaint: The axe was constructed with a single metal wedge instead of a wooden one. This means that if the axe head ever starts to become loose it will be a bit tough to take the axe apart and install a new wooden wedge with a small metal wedge(s). But this is just me being a perfectionist. I'm very grateful that I found an axe with such high quality for a very low price. HARRY J. EPSTEIN CO. have been around since 1930 and its a really good feeling to know that American old school craftsmanship still exist!

Like so many here said before me, the handle on this axe is junk. Council was kind enough to go ahead and pre-crack my handle for me so I didn't have to do it while 3.5 pounds of steel was swinging through the air. I thought is may have happened during shipping, but upon closer inspection, there was finish inside the crack and there was no sign of impact to either the box or handle. Their QC is lacking across the board. The grind on the axe head looks poorer than what is on the shelf harbor freight and this thing cost 3x as much. I was astonished that neither the manufacturers mark, nor the "USA" stamp were anywhere to be found on the head of this tool. But I realized that if I made something of such poor quality, I wouldn't put my name on it either. Don't waste your money on this or any other product from Council Tool.

I'm not an axe expert, I'm more of a chainsaw man these days, but this arrived in perfect condition and reminds of the quality that was always present back in the day. After several hard uses, I'm very happy with the purchase and would definitely buy it again!

Very nice symmetrical forging, hung dead straight and slightly proud, with what appears to be a poplar wedge and a steel barrel wedge. The handle is straight as an arrow with superb grain orientation and no run out. Sharp enough for splitting, but will need a little work for chopping. Handle is a little thick for my taste, as it should be, to allow the end user to thin and shape to their preference.

Great axe for the money. The head finish is rough and does not come sharp, but come on people very few axes come sharp. We real axe users prefer to grind our own. My handle came hung nicely and good grain orientation. I would give five stars if it was seated with hard wood wedge rather than this alloy one. Once I received the axe I sanded down the rough grinding marks on the head and polished it. than ground a step grind on one side for splitting and a shallow grind on the other for cutting. Holds a edge great and you can shave with it. For 60 bucks you get a American axe shaped chunk of steel hung on a american hickory stick. after some fine tuning and a hour worth of work you have a mighty axe. I appreciate what Council is trying to do hear bring a quality almost there American made axe to the consumer for a reasonable price

Grain on handle should be parallel to direction of swing. It should line up with the long dimension of the axe head, be or at low deviation angle. Deviation of up to 45degrees is acceptable but not ideal. This one was >= 54 degrees at the butt, and >= 73 degrees at the head. This was an accident waiting to happen. I didn’t even use the axe. I guess no one defined hand happening here, but this head sure looks and feels like it was last touched with a grinding wheel. There is even a burr on the cutting edge of one side of the bits. I tried to photograph but was not able to. Sharp enough to get to cutting right off the bat if needed though. Fit of handle is not ideal but acceptable. Given the price, overall, I wouldn’t have minded this axe if it had not had such a bad handle which I know would break.