Council Tool
JP202SA16
Double Bit Saddle Axe – Velvicut / 18’’

The Saddle Axe from Council Tool Co. is a traditional Velvicut Premium pattern. Drop forged from 5160 steel, known for its superior characteristics and blade retention. This axe is a beautiful axe, however, it was designed and manufactured for work. It has been heat treated, tempered and crafted with a distinctive flat grind on each blade for maximum versatility.

This specific design is a multifunctional and packable axe pattern that received its name from being traditionally carried in a saddle bag while on horseback. The innovative yet traditional American Pattern sports phantom bevels that greatly reduce surface friction and bite deeper than many convex bladed axes and the bevels also serve for easy removal of the axe bit after a deep cut into the wood.

The highly versatile Saddle Axe design has the extremely sharp 25 degree flat grind on the left blade for cutting, shaving, and carving and a more robust 32 degree flat grind on the right blade for notching, splitting and heavier jobs. All combine to make a very well designed, versatile and useful axe.

The axe faces have a 3’’ cutting edge and an 16″ hickory handle. A premium full-grain leather sheath is included to protect the tool and user and features a buckle for fastening. All axes are boxed and include a copy of The Council Tool Axe Book. Weight: 2 lbs. 100% Made in the USA!

Pack Less with More Possibilities.

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.

Discontinued by manufacturer, limited quantities available.