Council Tool
JP125HB14C
Hudson Bay Belt Hatchet – Velvicut / 14’’

The Council Tool Premium Velvicut Hudson Bay Belt Hatchet is a shape and size ideal for any camping, hunting or hiking expedition. The perfect companion for chores around the camp fire and using the swooped toe on this beautiful Belt Hatchet to carve, split kindling and every day carry. This pattern is thought to have originated from “Biscayan” in Northern Spain, near France. Adopted by French traders, this hand axe was used a trade tool in their dealings with Native Americans for fur and other commodities in the Hudson Bay area, St. Lawrence River, and other trade routes. In this Velvicut, Council Tool took a traditional Hudson Bay pattern and added some length to the poll to improve the tool’s balance. After it is drop forged, the axe head is rough ground in a state-of-the-art robotic work cell. Then the hand work begins as an experienced artisan sharpens the cutting edge using increasingly fine abrasives and then finally with leather stropping. Relative to other patterns, the Hudson Bay has a very short eye length. This reduces the contact area between the head and handle, which can lead to looseness. Using their new and innovative design, they pierce the eye with a special punch forming ribs horizontally and vertically inside the eye. This creates more contact area and bite between the head to handle joint resulting in a stronger and more durable tool. The hickory handle is produced from a blank selected for grain orientation and density, making it strong. Council Tool’s handle pattern features a prominent grip and a slim body that allows the handle to flex a bit, improving its ergonomics. The Hudson Bay is small enough to pack and carry yet big enough to get the job done. The one pound head is forged from 5160 alloy steel, and it will outlast any user – they guarantee it! The axe face has a 4’’ cutting edge and a 14″ hickory handle. A premium full-grain leather cover is included to protect the tool. All axes are boxed and include a copy of The Council Tool Axe Book. Weight: 1.25 lbs. 100% Made in the USA!

Council Tool proudly created this line of premium axes called Velvicut. This name was trademarked many years ago when an axe was an essential of daily life and working activities. When sharpness, the ability to hold an edge and the feel of the tool made the day shorter — or longer – was based on performance. With Velvicut, their commitment is to combine decades of axe-making expertise with modern manufacturing techniques and excellent materials to produce a line of axes for those who want the best. Velvicut axe heads are patterned and styled with features that allow the axe to perform in an exceptional manner. The big things are certainly important, like material, shape and balance. But it’s the little things, the slight taper here, the thinning of the cheek there, that make the axe more pleasurable to use. As with all Council Tool’s products, they are made in Lake Waccamaw, NC.

They use 5160 grade alloy to make a Velvicut axe head, and this material takes nearly twice as many blows to forge a similar head – a testament to its toughness. The end result of the alloy material in these axe heads is an outstanding product—strong and tough with superior edge-holding properties. Velvicut heads are finished with a combination of experience, new technology, and old-fashioned hand-to-eye coordination. In addition to steel grade and head pattern, crucial characteristics of an axe head are proper heat treating and sharpness. Velvicut heads are shot blasted and then touched by different abrasives. However it is never a goal to remove all forging makes. Therein lies the character. No two will ever look exactly the same. Each is unique… a thing of beauty.

The custom handles used in this premium line are all American hickory and are only “A” grade, selected for grain orientation and density. White sapwood and red heartwood are equally suitable as there is no difference in the specific density or strength of the wood. The handle patterns are traditional or unique shapes chosen with performance in mind. They tend to be thinner in width, allowing the handle to flex. These handles are much more difficult and expensive to manufacture but they provide results. You will feel the difference during use. Velvicut handles are not coated with any finish prior to assembly, providing the maximum strength of head to handle bond. Handles are lightly rubbed with linseed oil before packaging. The heads are finished in their natural steel state, lightly oiled to prevent rusting.