On another tread about the new Wetterlings Bushman axe it was suggested we start an axe skills thread (Ok Ninja-elbow said he was going to, but I just couldn't wait for him, the idea was too exciting for me, sorry ninja if I am jumping the gun here) to help get people who might not think of using a pack axe to gain skills to start taking an axe out with them. Some of this post is from my last comment in that previous thread expanded a bit to be more inclusive. Rather than trying to come up with all original content I will be borrowing from a lot of different places, for videos and pictures etc, and linking good reference sites. Partially since I have no video camera to make my own videos, and why reproduce what has already been done by others. This is more a consolidation of information for those who have not explored axe craft yet, or want to get better at it.

First off, lets deal with the parts of the axe. Knowing what your talking about really helps.



Secondly with axes, they come in different sizes and shapes. The above graphic of the parts of an axe is not all inclusive because it deals with only one axe not all of the different types. Not every size or shape is suited for every task, neither is every shape axe suited for all types of wood.

The classic guide to choosing a pack axe is the Ray Mears video Choosing and using an axe, Bushcraft Survival
 

This is a good example of how different sized different axes can be.
From What is the Right Size Axe for You-A Gransfors Bruks Axe Comparison
http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-is-right-size-axe-for-you.html


American Felling Axe next to the Scandinavian Forest Axe


Scandinavian Forest Axe next to the Small Forest Axe


Small Forest Axe next to the Wildlife Hatchet


As you can see there is a pretty big difference between the different axes, and these are all just from the same company not a bunch of different companies. Different sizes and shapes made for different tasks. Not every axe is one you want to use for a pack axe. Wood Trekker's blog has some great informative info that can help a lot when looking at what axe size is right for you. Remember too what axe you choose also has a lot to do with where you plan to use it. Not every axe has a geometry suited for every forest. American Axe designs are often named after an area they came into use. Like Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, etc. Or for the task they were designed for carpenter's, felling, splitting, etc Different axes work better for different tasks and woods.

Axe Head Geometry-Phantom Bevels and Tapered Cheeks from Wood Trekker
 

Some different axe patterns.


This is nowhere near all the different types of axes out there. Just a few of them. You can see some are only subtly different while others are dramatical different.

Here is a similar diagram but it also gives axe head weights along with patterns. Very informative knowing the weight along with the shape.


The above image is from a gov site and put out by the US Forest Service An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/99232823/page02.cfm which is a companion to a very good video by the same name An Ax to Grind which can be found on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz3rs-eaN3E along with another video Handtools For Trail Work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZBhN4Y2kI Both these youtube sources for these videos combine the two parts of the videos together, each is about 1 hour long.

I highly recommend visiting the Ax to Grind website and watching the videos for anyone interested in axes!
An Ax to Grind, both the website info and video are amazingly informative and a great source for axe info. Handtools For Trail Work covers a lot more than axes, but has a bit more coverage of some axe skills than An Ax to Grind. I like to consider these two as part of a whole, and they were both put out by the US Forest Service as such. *edit to add, I just found this link to a PDF download of the An Ax to Grind website info, http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=402

Like a lot of gear, it helps to become informed about the subject. Making an assumption due to lack of knowledge sets you up to make the wrong conclusions. This reminds me of Nutnfancy's video about axes not being good for packs. He took a Friskars splitting axe out and chopped at a large log with poor axe skills to show how much work it was to use an axe and how inefficient it was. Well of course it was, you used the wrong axe silly. A splitting axe has a much heavier bigger head than a felling or forest axe does. They are meant to be left at a house to split wood for your fire place not to take into the woods. Also he used extremely incorrect axe work along with the wrong axe. He was doomed to fail from the beginning. But that is an example of someone not knowing the right info thinking an axe is a poor choice for the woods due to this poor knowledge.

The nutnfancy video showing how not to use an axe. LOL
 

The number one reason I have seen for people who have an axe but think axes are poor tools, is they don't keep their axe sharp. A safe axe is a sharp axe, a dull axe is a dangerous axe. It sounds counter intuitive but it is true, a sharp axe performs well and does what it is supposed to do, a dull one bounces and deflects becoming wild and dangerous. Plus a dull axe is not performing as it should taking a lot more effort than it should, straining the body when it shouldn't. Good axe maintenance means sharpening your axe, and taking care of your handle and sheath.

Ray Mears - How to sharpen an axe at camp, Bushcraft Survival
 

Ray Mears - How to look after your axe, Bushcraft Survival
 

Of course you might not be carrying around Japanese water stones, and all this stuff that Ray Mears is suggesting. A common axe sharpener for in the field is a Lansky puck. These are mentioned in the Ax to Grind video, in case you hadn't watched that.

These are nice hand sized duel grit stones and great for field sharpening. Other companies make these pucks, including one made by axe maker Gransfors Bruks.

How To Sharpen An Axe a video showing the puck style for axe sharpening.
 

When sharpening you want your axe as sharp as you would a knife. If it can't cut paper then it is too dull. If your cutting hard wood and notice your axe is dulling, take the time to sharpen it and it will cut better and safer. Same if you happen to strike the ground and ding the edge, take the time to fix the edge and you will be much happier.

(moving some videos to second post to shorten the post to a more readable amount)

Last edited by ineffableone on Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

Some videos showing some axe work.

HOW TO USE AN AXE !
 

A decent video series showing the basics of axe skills is once again from Wood Trekker.

Basic Axe Use Part 1: Chopping
 

Basic Axe Use Part 2: Limbing and Bucking
 

Basic Axe Use Part 3: Splitting
 

Basic Axe Use Part 4: Carving
 

other videos bushcraft axe related

How to use an Axe for Bushcraft
 

Axes in Bushcraft
 

Axe Practice
 

Making a Bowl Using a Gransfors Bruks Kubben Hatchet
 

And there are lots lots more out there. The axe is a learned skill, you can't just buy one and be an expert with it right away. You need to practice with it. You also need to try different types of axes. As I mentioned earlier not all axes are good for every wood or task. Some axes will be much better suited for some tasks just because of the wood involved or the geometry and weight of the head. Also of course handle length makes a difference. Sometimes you want short handled other times you want long. Getting experience is really the only way to get a good grasp of what will work best for you.

While this post is long, it is by no means complete or totally comprehensive. I hope others will add in their knowledge and information. I am not an expert on axes, just someone who loves using them and hopes others out there might want to learn more about these tools, or share the knowledge they have.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

Nice compilation of information, thanks for taking the time to collect it and post it in such a format!

I'm a big fan of my GFB Small Forest and the Hatchet - I think in winter an axe is indispensable.

Excellent, good work!

President ZSC011
Part Viking, Part Siamese

the_alias wrote:Nice compilation of information, thanks for taking the time to collect it and post it in such a format!

I'm a big fan of my GFB Small Forest and the Hatchet - I think in winter an axe is indispensable.

GFB Small Forest axe is definitely one of the most highly recommended bushcraft axes. Though the Wetterlings Bushman coming out in Nov might give it a run with the different head shape. I am pretty sure it will be on a lot of X-Mass lists for axe lovers. Sort of a cross between a small forest axe and a carpenters axe. I ordered the Fine Forest axe, which has a similar head design but the longer 24" handle. Check out the thread on the Bushman here http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=96422

ninja-elbow wrote:Excellent, good work!

Glad you like it Ninja, but of course the props go to you for thinking up the idea to do an axe skills post, so thanks for doing the heavy work and thinking up the idea.

One of the most important things in the post I think is this bellow.

ineffableone wrote:An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/publications/fs_publications/99232823/page02.cfm which is a companion to a very good video by the same name An Ax to Grind which can be found on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz3rs-eaN3E along with another video Handtools For Trail Work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZBhN4Y2kI Both these youtube sources for these videos combine the two parts of the videos together, each is about 1 hour long.

I highly recommend visiting the Ax to Grind website and watching the videos for anyone interested in axes!
An Ax to Grind, both the website info and video are amazingly informative and a great source for axe info. Handtools For Trail Work covers a lot more than axes, but has a bit more coverage of some axe skills than An Ax to Grind. I like to consider these two as part of a whole, and they were both put out by the US Forest Service as such.

Those two videos are a wealth of info great for beginners and experienced axe enthusiasts. The web site An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual is loaded with so much info it is ridiculous. There is a huge amount of great info on the development and history of axes, the different styles, and so much more. I can visit that site again and again just soaking up the info there and never get full or tired of the great resource that it is.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

.

Last edited by Turtlewolf on Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

------------------------------------------------------
Save a life, delete a Face Book account today.
You can drop your knife, loose your rifle but keep an eye on your axe.

Holy information load Batman!

I thought I was good with an ax. I now realize I am an absolute novice with an ax. The first video alone showed me stuff I've never thought of before or done opposite of. I will return to watch it all.

0122358 wrote:so we moved a thread to maintain OPSEC on a fictional vid game so our team doesnt get kill as easily by possible spies...fuckin sweet

Unofficial FB for ZSC XXX http://www.facebook.com/groups/156431031119773

Turtlewolf wrote:My hat is off to you!
It is about time someone did this.
I've used axes/hatchets/tomahawks most of my life and IMHO they make the best heavier tool in my AO for the bush, I also like flat edges on my bushcraft axes like those on the so called carpenters axes or even the inexpensive (but amazingly high value) Fiskars. The carpenters axes do sacrifice some splitting ability unless you are willing to batton a bit with them, then the increased utility of the flat edge wins out every day. The Fiskars loose nothing for splitting but the more wedge like head makes fine detail work a little harder (but not enough to worry) than the carpenters axes.
Also the first time I watched that Nutnfancy video I almost wet myself laughing, this jackass claims to have been a Marine and almost every video I've seen makes me think he should play fewer video games and pull his head from his ass.
Anyone who would lug a heavy splitting axe half way up a mountain to try and prove than an axe is inferior is stupider than a sack of hammers.
I realy do like other tools such as the machete and khukri but in my AO the axe/hatchet/tomahawk wins every day.

Machete and khukri have their place, but that is usually more in jungle or swamp land and sometimes desert. In most of N America or N Europe the axe is the tool you want. That is why historically that was the tool folks took with them into the bush. I am in no way saying axes are better or discounting the large blades, just pointing out different areas have different vegetation that suits different tools. N Europe and N America is much more axe territory due to the requirements of the vegetation. I have debated getting different machete, parang, khukri, etc often but when out in the woods never find enough reason to want one. If I do encounter a thick spot, I tend to just walk around it, or use a stick to push the veg out of the way or cut with a knife or even use my folding saw to slash with if I really feel the need to go into it. But that happens too rarely for me to buy a machete so far.

You might want to check out the Wetterlings Fine Forest axe AKA the Universal Woodsman's axe or the up coming Bushman's axe which is a Wetterlings collaboration with Les Stroud. They are smaller lighter "carpenter's" style heads on longer handles. They might be right up your alley, like they were mine.

Yep that Nutnfancy video was such a classic example of someone who does not know what they are talking about with axes trying to tell others about axes. Sad part though is a lot of people will actually listen to him and think he knows what he is talking about.

I have two of the Gerber/Fiskars axes, they were given to me. I find the metal in them a bit soft, and they need touching up more often than my Wetterlings does. Though they are easy to touch up. I also noticed the wrap that goes around them tends to snag a bit and chip when splitting. Possibly a place for future failure. Of course I think it will take a long time to cause enough damage to that area to cause a problem. I do have to say they do actually throw pretty well, and the synthetic handle is no worries when throwing.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

KentsOkay wrote:Holy information load Batman!

I thought I was good with an ax. I now realize I am an absolute novice with an ax. The first video alone showed me stuff I've never thought of before or done opposite of. I will return to watch it all.

LOL, don't worry I am always learning too, and there is tons of info I posted up that I still haven't fully digested myself and made part of my own personal axe craft. There is a lot of info out there, and it is great to keep learning and finding out what others are doing. Then getting out and practising yourself.

Watch Ray Mears make a paddle with his axe, and you quickly realise how much more you need to just go out and give projects a try.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

.

Last edited by Turtlewolf on Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

------------------------------------------------------
Save a life, delete a Face Book account today.
You can drop your knife, loose your rifle but keep an eye on your axe.

Turtlewolf wrote:To the OP, you probably have much harder woods than I in my AO.
The hardest trees I have are pine knots, birch and willow.
I've had my old style Fiskars hatchet for ages and it hasn't ever failed me, they are a bit soft but for me that is an advantage as it is easier to care for. I actualy find myself prefering the old style over the new X7. Also the softest blade I have of the large choppers is my Tramontina 14" Bolo, I actualy dented the blade a few years ago on a pine knot then took a ball peen hammer and smashed it flat again with no firther issues.
Another blade I've abused is my Kabar Khukri which has proven a pretty good tool, but is probably the most awkward for detail work of the lot.
I'm realy liking my modified Cold Steel Trailhawk, but it cost twice what a Fiskars X7 does and it took over six hours to get it to where I like it as a tool.
For the record, make sure your tomahawk head is firmly attached kids! The myth that it should come off easily just means you have a broken tool.

I am in the Pac NW, so mostly soft trees here, and I wasn't complaining really just noticed the Fiskars edge took more damage due to a softer metal than a Wetterlings did. I don't have a GFB but image they would hold up more too. There is of course trade offs for hardness. Harder edges will stay sharp longer, however are more difficult to sharpen, they are also more prone to chips rather than softer edges which will roll or dent before they chip which is much easier to fix without loosing a lot of edge metal. So there are pluses and minuses for each really. *edit to add, one reason I tend to prefer the harder metal of Wetterlings is it holds the edge longer, a sharp axe is a safe axe.

As for the Bushman, yes the celebrity name of Les Stroud will probably raise the price, but I imagine it wont be overly expensive, and Les is Canadian, you might get a better deal on those than us in the US. The Fine Forest axe is $102 after shipping from http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Wetter ... AW176.html, I just ordered one and it should be getting here tomorrow, I am so excited to have a new axe to play with. I will let you know how well it performs.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

ineffableone wrote:

KentsOkay wrote:Holy information load Batman!

I thought I was good with an ax. I now realize I am an absolute novice with an ax. The first video alone showed me stuff I've never thought of before or done opposite of. I will return to watch it all.

LOL, don't worry I am always learning too, and there is tons of info I posted up that I still haven't fully digested myself and made part of my own personal axe craft. There is a lot of info out there, and it is great to keep learning and finding out what others are doing. Then getting out and practising yourself.

Watch Ray Mears make a paddle with his axe, and you quickly realise how much more you need to just go out and give projects a try.

As mentioned Ray Mears making a paddle in the bush!

 

This always just makes me want to go out and start building and making stuff with axes.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

.

Last edited by Turtlewolf on Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

------------------------------------------------------
Save a life, delete a Face Book account today.
You can drop your knife, loose your rifle but keep an eye on your axe.

Turtlewold I'm going to take a wild guess and assume your Tramontina was a poorly tempered mistake. I've always found Tramontina to be superior to everything else, machete wise.

Here on the edge of Texas Hill Country meets Blackland Prairie , I'm trying to figure out what the best ax/use of ax is. We've got juniper/post cedar trees out the ass, some oak, and further east (into the prairie) mesquite. Looks like this:



I've got a cheap Lowe's chopping ax which I use for some brush management and light firewood splitting, but the Stihl is the work horse. I wouldn't mind putting more work in with the ax to develop my skills. It's got a dent in the blade which I've almost worked out through sharpening (I used a bench grinder then finished by hand with a well worn grinding wheel). Am I polishing a turd here? After only a little work with oak it needs sharpening again. How do these woods compare to say, the north west? I ask as this is one of the places I plan to spend time swinging an ax while camping/etc.

Also have an older Estwing Camp Axe, it operates between machete and Lowe's Ax. Realllly wanna pick up the Carpenter's Axe and jazz it up.

0122358 wrote:so we moved a thread to maintain OPSEC on a fictional vid game so our team doesnt get kill as easily by possible spies...fuckin sweet

Unofficial FB for ZSC XXX http://www.facebook.com/groups/156431031119773

Turtlewolf wrote:I wish we got deals because a celebrity was Canadian! I realy like his original knife but the cost is crazy, but then my favorite bush knife is the Mora 612 or 611 and until recently I bought them for $10 a peice. My oldest Mora is over 25 years old and although ugly and patinaed it still holds its edge and is a trusted (although now retired) companion, it is a plastic handled 511.
I have yet to pay more than $40 for an axe/tomahawk/hatchet but I did recently pay $80 for a Kabar Potbelly and have to admit a bit of fondness for the blade and it almost is good enough to replace my hatchet or tomahawk on hikes. I think it isn't the blade but my history with the axe that prevents it from being used more honestly.
As you can see I'm pretty cheap but the cost of my gear is far less than the utility of it!

I totally hear you, I am on quite a small budget, spending the $102 for the Fine Forest axe was a big investment for me, and actually only happened due to me having saved up some cash, I have a birthday next month and felt like giving myself a gift.

Even though I am on a budget, I tend to find things I really like and save up to get them, with in reason. I still have yet to save up for the $400+ Mystery Ranch pack I want, my ILBE seems just fine at an $89 investment and I did save up for that one too.

Sometimes though it is worth it to pay a bit more and get something higher quality you know will last you your life and likely into your grandchildren's life.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

.

Last edited by Turtlewolf on Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

------------------------------------------------------
Save a life, delete a Face Book account today.
You can drop your knife, loose your rifle but keep an eye on your axe.

KentsOkay wrote:Turtlewold I'm going to take a wild guess and assume your Tramontina was a poorly tempered mistake. I've always found Tramontina to be superior to everything else, machete wise.

Here on the edge of Texas Hill Country meets Blackland Prairie , I'm trying to figure out what the best ax/use of ax is. We've got juniper/post cedar trees out the ass, some oak, and further east (into the prairie) mesquite. Looks like this:



I've got a cheap Lowe's chopping ax which I use for some brush management and light firewood splitting, but the Stihl is the work horse. I wouldn't mind putting more work in with the ax to develop my skills. It's got a dent in the blade which I've almost worked out through sharpening (I used a bench grinder then finished by hand with a well worn grinding wheel). Am I polishing a turd here? After only a little work with oak it needs sharpening again. How do these woods compare to say, the north west? I ask as this is one of the places I plan to spend time swinging an ax while camping/etc.

Also have an older Estwing Camp Axe, it operates between machete and Lowe's Ax. Realllly wanna pick up the Carpenter's Axe and jazz it up.

I lived in AZ for 4 yrs doing landscaping for an Architecture community. Had to cut lots of Juniper and Mesquite but usually with saws. The Pac NW is much softer woods than the SW! Your going to want to have a good high rockwell edge on your axe blade just be careful with rocks and hitting the ground as the edge will be more brittle. That Lowes axe will not cut it as they tend to be made for just general axe use.

However I noticed you said bench grinder? Eeep! Don't sharpen axes with a bench grinder. You can ruin the blade's temper that way. You want to use a hand file, and sharpening stones. If you have to opt for power tools, you want a belt sander with high grit belts and you want to be very careful of the heat build up. Definitely watch that video An Ax to Grind.

I have not been in need of a good hard wood axe, so am not sure of the best brands, but there is an article that might help with identifying a good hard wood axe on Wood Trekker's Blog actually from another guy, (love the axe knowledge sharing) The article is about how to reprofile an axe http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-how-to-reprofile-axes-and.html

There is a difference between axes meant for hardwood as opposed to softwood. Softwood is more "spongy" in a sense, so when you make your second cut, you need a wider blade to clear the cut and eject the chip of wood out. This does not mean thicker, but, from the edge to where the cheeks start will be a greater distance than on a hardwood axe. I typically make this distance anywhere up to 1 1/2" on axes used for birch or pine. If the blade is narrow, then the wood will simply compress and not split along the grain. This results in having to twist the axe in the wood to try clear the cut. Hardwoods are more brittle so you don't need such a broad "wedge" to cause the wood to crack and be ejected. On hardwoods I tend to leave about a 1/2" blade.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

Turtlewolf wrote:Kent, if you used a grinder on an axe you probably killed what temper it had-don't ever use a grinder on any blade to sharpen it!
Get a good single cut axe file and a stone.

I very well may have killed the temper, although I did go to some lengths to insure I didn't, I'd dip it in water every couple of passes I made. If I did fuck it up more though (I was trying to work out a big fucking dent made dad put in it when trying to do some log splitting), that would totally justify getting a new ax!

So someone tell me what midsize axe I should buy for chopping dense, springy shitty wood, chopping hardwood, and killing zombies

EDIT: good info ineff, I'll take a look at that link.

0122358 wrote:so we moved a thread to maintain OPSEC on a fictional vid game so our team doesnt get kill as easily by possible spies...fuckin sweet

Unofficial FB for ZSC XXX http://www.facebook.com/groups/156431031119773

.

Last edited by Turtlewolf on Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

------------------------------------------------------
Save a life, delete a Face Book account today.
You can drop your knife, loose your rifle but keep an eye on your axe.

Turtlewolf wrote:Kent, for killing Zombies get a good broad axe custom made from Stormcrow.
Actualy you know what? He built a ton of axes and used them on Texas hardwoods and they weren't that expensive, why not give him a call or message?

Man, I totally forgot he was doing axe heads, I'll have to drop him a line. Not only is he the resident blade expert, he knows what the hell I'm hacking.

Honestly, the to-be-owned Estwing and my Windlass sword are my primary melee weapons, a full axe is too damn heavy for the way I fight.

Not sure if that should be blue text or not.

0122358 wrote:so we moved a thread to maintain OPSEC on a fictional vid game so our team doesnt get kill as easily by possible spies...fuckin sweet

Unofficial FB for ZSC XXX http://www.facebook.com/groups/156431031119773

.

Last edited by Turtlewolf on Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

------------------------------------------------------
Save a life, delete a Face Book account today.
You can drop your knife, loose your rifle but keep an eye on your axe.

Turtlewolf wrote:I've had my Estwing for longer than I care to recall and it has been with me on many an adventure but detail work is difficult because of the handle design and it is a poor splitter as well as being heavier than it needs to be. That said they chop very well, hold an edge and are unkillable!
What Windlass sword, if I may ask?

I picked up the Raptor when it was Deal of the Day with Museum Replicas, I've wanted one for years and when it was half price I just had to have it.

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/Windlass-Raptor-Review.html

I have yet to sharpen it or chop at anything more then boxes, but suffice to say I love it, and has started an obsession of mine to put a katana blade in a western hilt.

Back on topic, I'm hoping the hammer head on the Carpenter's Axe will allow a close grip on the head for fine work, I'll experiment and might make a head wrap, or upper handle wrap from leather/paracord.

0122358 wrote:so we moved a thread to maintain OPSEC on a fictional vid game so our team doesnt get kill as easily by possible spies...fuckin sweet

Unofficial FB for ZSC XXX http://www.facebook.com/groups/156431031119773

KentsOkay wrote:

Turtlewolf wrote:I've had my Estwing for longer than I care to recall and it has been with me on many an adventure but detail work is difficult because of the handle design and it is a poor splitter as well as being heavier than it needs to be. That said they chop very well, hold an edge and are unkillable!
What Windlass sword, if I may ask?

I picked up the Raptor when it was Deal of the Day with Museum Replicas, I've wanted one for years and when it was half price I just had to have it.

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/Windlass-Raptor-Review.html

I have yet to sharpen it or chop at anything more then boxes, but suffice to say I love it, and has started an obsession of mine to put a katana blade in a western hilt.

Back on topic, I'm hoping the hammer head on the Carpenter's Axe will allow a close grip on the head for fine work, I'll experiment and might make a head wrap, or upper handle wrap from leather/paracord.

Yay for SBG I am a regular on the SBG forum Great sword BTW

Your going for the carpenter's axe? Or do you mean the carpenter's style axe like on the Bushman or Fine forest axe?

I will be able to tell you tomorrow how the hammer poll feels for the Fine Forest axe. The Wetterlings Carpenter's axe head is bigger, and heavier. It worked well when I used my friends, though if it were mine I would have filed down the hammer poll's edges a bit rounding them slightly. It is a mod I plan on doing to the Fine Forest axe if it doesn't already have rounded edges.

My favorite quotes from Rorschach from the comic Watchmen

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with *ME*!"

Huzzah! I am a lurker on SBG.

I speak of the Estwing Carpenter's Hatchet:

http://www.amazon.com/EstWing-Solid-Carpenters-Hatchet-Cutting/dp/B000KKWN82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343328414&sr=8-1&keywords=estwing+carpenters+hatchet

0122358 wrote:so we moved a thread to maintain OPSEC on a fictional vid game so our team doesnt get kill as easily by possible spies...fuckin sweet

Unofficial FB for ZSC XXX http://www.facebook.com/groups/156431031119773