COUNCIL TOOL Sport Utility Flying Fox Woodsman Hatchet - 1.625 lbs Throwing Axe with 22" Straight Hickory Handle & Hardened Poll - SU162FF22S

For starters, this not a top tier production axe like Granfors Bruks, but it also by no means a $15 dollar store special. This is a great intro axe for someone wanting their first quality axe without the $150+ price tag. On the other hand, this is an excellent choice for a yard/rough work axe in those situations where you don’t want to risk damaging a $200 axe. This one also has a hardened poll, which makes it an ideal yard tool. That said, mine arrived unsharped, which was not a huge issue for me to fix, but sharpening and profiling an axe bit is not a skill everyone has. If you are experienced in axe maintenance (or sharpening in general) and have a file and puck handy you have nothing to worry about. I actually kind of liked being able to customize the edge to my preference out of the gate. It’s not quite as hard of steel like some higher end axes, but does that lends to better field maintainability. The haft isn’t of the most ideal grain orientation, but it’s adequate for a work axe. So, you get what you pay for folks. It’s got “good bones” if you will regardless. Even if you need to put a better haft on it at some point, the head itself honestly is great quality, and i had little trouble getting mine to perform on par with some of my higher end axes.

This is my sixth axe/hatchet, but first Council Tool item. The head to haft fit is very well done, very tight, with no gaps. It arrived very sharp, surprisingly sharp. It is much sharper than the three Gransfors Bruks I have purchased and better finish on the metal overall. The handle is very comfortable in hand. The finish on the wood is minimal, if any, and needs some tung oil or linseed oil. Frankly, I’d rather do my own finishing on the wood, so that is fine with me. As to this model, the size is handy in the large hatchet to small pack axe size. It handles really nicely. Overall, A+ for Council Tools. Based on the quality of this one, I’ll buy some of their other sizes. Recommend. 😊👍

Very good quality. I threw the axe a few times and it seems to be great for that but I like this as a normal use axe so much that I am never throwing it again. I have a few watl axes I can throw instead. This axe is staying with my camping gear. The quality and durability on this axe is amazing. I took a few inches off the handle, stained it and got a head cover. Awesome axe

very nice axe would like to see more handle options

I love this, it’s lightweight and throws well in Axe competition. It’s accurate and stable. I had a hatchet master take off the black and make it chrome looking. Beautiful piece of art and yet perfect for functional daily throwing.