Forged tool steel head. Made in USA; Hand sharpened, tapered bit for cutting and light splitting; Head coated with boiled Linseed Oil over the as forged finish; 28″ curved American hickory handle; Axe head is hydraulically seated onto handle and secured with a traditional double wedge system; The interior detail of the eye is tapered and allows for a strong mechanical bond; Approximately 1/4″ of overall length of the handle is removed during assembly; ANSI Standards call for bit hardness of Rc 45-60, at least 1/2 inch back from the cutting edge; Council Tool internal standards call for tempered bit hardness of Rc 48-55 and, 1-1/4 inches from the cutting edge; The poll and eye walls are not hardened and remain in the as forged condition