I agree about the flick. It is a great technique but I have found that it doesn’t irk very well with some oak because of how stringy it is. It seems like it’s easier to split straight through and cut the fibers instead, in my opinion. Great video!
That Jersey is the same one I got recently (after watching your video on the original Jersey). Great chopping axe, though I agree that it isn’t a real great splitter. I also noticed that (when felling and chopping trees) the amount of stick varies from wood species to wood species. Certain types of wood will act almost like glue when you stick your axe in it (especially a flat ground axe), while others will chunk out much easier. Thanks for the video comparison!
Very cool! I’m definitely going to convex the profile. For sure some species are like a sponge, maple particularly and poplar in the spring! Thanks for checking out the video!
@@urbanlumberjack Yeah. I convexed mine after one chopping session. Btw, I use DMt diafolds instead of files. Have you ever tried those? Works especially well on harder steel, and I love using them. Not as fast as a Bastard file, perhaps, but in my experience it leaves a finer edge.
Excellent comparison video! Do you think the phantom bevels on your original axe are reducing sticking? Also do you find the balance nicer on the new design?
Mr. Stuart @16:00 a squirrel begins to compete with the oration...I really enjoyed the comparison and look forward to falling and bucking with the "new" model. I have seen some axemen custom grind the 5 and 6 pound splitters/forcible entry axes to chop and buck and they work nicely...great video, well put together sir...
Would love to see those axes, I bet those hit hard. These squirrels are chatty, and love to blow the transformer outside our house! Thanks for the encouragement!
I just picked up a new to me Council Jersey Axe. It appears to be an older axe. Is there any way to date these axes? I'm definitely a newbie in the axe scene. TYIA 🤙🏼
Awesome! Is it a railsplitter? There are ways to date a council tool, check out one of the Facebook groups and Craig Roost (Rooster) is always very helpful if you reach out to him. The newer ones have date and quarter stamps but I don’t believe the old ones do so they are dated by style and other features
I guess the 3.5 Jersey could have a better profile for splitting, but it's just such a pleasure to swing. I'll use the council 5lb splitter when absolutely necessary, but I'll switch back to the Jersey ASAP.
I always viewed the old council Jersey as an axe that could do a lot of things ok. It wouldn’t be your first choice for a splitter or chopper, but if you could only bring one axe to your cabin, it would be a top contender.
I noticed the hollow grind. I could see someone flattening it to make a great chopper, or convexing to make a more all purpose axe. Thanks for sharing!
Gotta use a maul for that dry, red oak. Nothing like an 8-10 lb head smashing through that fiber. Feels good too. Nothing like splitting wood by hand, makes women melt and sigh when they see you.
Awesome video! CT puts out some seriously great stuff, but Imo the profiles od these jerseys are a hair too thin for splitting. I'm curious why you prefer these? Just restored a northern king with some fat cheeks ans splits like a dream!
Thanks for taking the time to drop a note. They are definitely feeling axes I’m not sure why they are advertised as splitters. I like the CT jerseys because they are plentiful, priced right, and I can give them a high level of finish. They are great for hewing, which I do a lot, as they have a taller and more flat bit than the Daytons and michigans, and the handles are great. If you look at Liam Hoffman’s handles they are almost a direct copy of the CT 32c.
I bought one of the the old SU Jersey's and one of Council Tool's flying fox and both had hollow grinds on the edges. Real bummer i would buy one of these newer ones but I'm sure the same guy at CT is putting hollow grinds on them.
I love my flying fox. I put it on a boys axe handle and love it. Will be picking up the straight handle 22 inch flying fox soon. It’s a very useful tool.
I have the same axe as you described as older, i.e, Dayton pattern. It will split ok to a point. Council Tool should consider a Tazmanian pattern style axe head.
I generally use whatever block I have around, so I didn’t make this height intentionally. Although I do think I’d prefer a block that’s too high to one that’s too low, as long as I’m making contact with the wood a little below waist height
I've always thought it odd that this axe is marketed as a splitter. Just doesn't seem to have the right profile for it. I have a few vintage Jersey patterns and they are all so thin I would never consider them for splitting.
Good point about the hazards of trying to free a stuck axe. I got a pretty bad cut while rocking an axe out of a block but I got my index finger instead of my thumb.
I haven’t used the New Jersey classic so couldn’t say to that. I do prefer the jersey over most Daytons, but that really comes down to personal preference. My old jersey classic is still my favorite axe, we’ve been through a lot together!
@@urbanlumberjack That old jersey is a absolute beauty something about the lugs just really adds to it. If you don't mind me asking, why do you prefer the jersey over most daytons?
I prefer jersey patterns. They have a wider bit and are usually a flatter bit profile which really helps me hew logs. That counciontool has I believe a 5 1/8 inch bit which is awesome. Also I really like the lugs!
