I picked up a council tools "sport utility axe" at a pallet liquidation store for cheap ($10.50) great smaller axe for anyone especially for an old duff with a little heart failure 65 yr.s of age but still loving using an axe.

Greetings from the forests of BC Canada! Fortunately the mass produced axes usually have a significant swell beneath the eye, some more than the one you have here. The only (unintended) use of that swell it can give you a little leeway if you over strike. In other words you can remove some material of the damaged handle and still stay outside the dimensions of the eye of the axe. Since any thickness of wood larger than the eye of the axe does not increase the shafts strength when levering, it can be sanded back. The weakest point in an axe handle is usually where it enters the eye as this is the fulcrum point. This is why collared axes, or axe heads with 'ears' are stronger under leverage.

Nice introduction to the ax and sharpening techniques. Thanks and take care.

I absolutely love Arkansas stones on basic steels that aren't too hard. If you can get your hands on a real old school washita stone, they are fantastic with axes, chisels, and even straight razors. You have to get them used they don't mine them now and I recommend pike, Norton, anything with a label because they are all pretty discolored from whale oil and who knows what and 50 to 100 years of existence.

I have friends like that too.

I bought 3. Found a brand new old stock red painted one. Accidentally bought a 24" version, and the 28" echo you fetured. All 3 are perfect👍

Cool vid! I like that anvil on the bench too

Thanks for explaining the dots. Picked up a Council Tool Jersey, curious on your thoughts of removing the grind marks from the cheeks/phantom bevels.

I use Watco Danish Oil....Prefeer DAark Walnut....Great Stuff .........OnWard......

Great info for a beginner in sharpening as myself. What is the stuff in spray can you use with the stones? Thanks

Cool vid! Thanks.

Good video. I'm a stone nerd too. I really like Norton's India stones followed by Arkansas. That goat wants to know what's going on around there. I liked Stanley's double bit axes but I guess they quit. Hard to find USA anymore. True temper made some good ones back in the day.

Genuine tung oil is non toxic but it does take a long time to cure. The tung oil finishes sold at hardware stores and such is actually not tung oil at all. It's linseed oil and plasticizers and synthetic drying agents, and it is toxic. I don't mind that however because there's a reason they make it that way. It dries quick and offers a resilient glossy finish. Some don't like the tacky feel but I think it adds grip and it looks good. It also creates a fairly impermeable layer which keeps out moisture and dirt. And it doesn't need to be reapplied over and over like boiled linseed oil. Danish oil finish is a good one too. It provides a darker look like a stain.

Have you ever tried just using just the epoxy? Curious if you can shape it. I’ve never used epoxy. Thanks.

It's hard to believe, but I live about 2 km from the Echo factory in Metzingen/D, but unfortunately this great ax is not available in Germany. Thanks and take care.

What did you spray on the axe and the stone when sharpening the axe?

I was ur 500th subscriber

where do you buy the round bevel angle tool from?

What strop do you use on your axes?

I was at a local hardware store, and they had five of these hatchet in stock, All of them were hung crooked not a single one of them was aligned right, for 45 dollars no thanks