1935 Outdoor Life article - "How to handle your an axe like an expert"

[cooperhill]

Thought folks on here might like to see and read this. I offer it more as a historical information piece, not necessarily guidelines you should or shouldn't follow. But it might be helpful for people who already have some skills in this area.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwXdjre47hwWbWttOXFZV2FNOUE/edit

 

[bjp]

thanks, coop.

I could read articles like that all day long. funny to me that this style of how-to writing is pretty much the same today. go look at Popular Mechanics, etc. for any number of examples on how to handle (fill in the blank) like a pro. of course, I don't expect to run across a current-day article on handling an axe!


-ben

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Cool article! Thanks for sharing that!

 

[halfaxe]

Interesting article. I don't think too many people took his advice and got a 5 pound axe. At least I don't see too many of them.

 

[Double Ott]

There are lots of 5 lb axes out there. Most Daytons, Michigans, Jerseys, Connecticuts, and full size double bit patterns weighing 3.5 lbs. + will push 5 lbs with their helves. I just weighed a Kelly Perfect Dayton (w/ a 3.5 lb head), it came in at 4.95 Lbs.

Tom
BTW; Great article...I would love to find a quality axe for $2 to $3 today. But then a newsstand copy of OL is $3.00+ today vs. .15

 

[G-pig]

I have a borrowed book on timber framing by Jack Sobon called "Timber Frame Construction", in the hand hewing section he recommended a 5 pound head on a full length handle for scoring. I have a 5 lb ATCO axe on the 38" handle. I cant imagine using it for nearly anything except maybe splitting. For hewing I used axes in the 3-3 1/4 pound on shorter handles preferentially.

 

[bearhunter]

Thanks for the link Coop

 

[Square_peg]

I have a borrowed book on timber framing by Jack Sobon called "Timber Frame Construction", in the hand hewing section he recommended a 5 pound head on a full length handle for scoring. I have a 5 lb ATCO axe on the 38" handle. I cant imagine using it for nearly anything except maybe splitting. For hewing I used axes in the 3-3 1/4 pound on shorter handles preferentially.

I'm with you on using less than 36" handles for scoring. The exact size would depend on the user's height. I'm 6'0" and 32"-33" is good for me. 30" is a little short for me. But I imagine a even 30" might be longer than needed for a man 5'6" or less.

 

[Grease]

Weird. I don't recall ever being taught to swing an axe, yet my method is almost exactly what that article describes as the forward swing. Apparently I just did what felt easiest, and what felt easiest is what men chose as "the way".

 

[halfaxe]

There are lots of 5 lb axes out there. Most Daytons, Michigans, Jerseys, Connecticuts, and full size double bit patterns weighing 3.5 lbs. + will push 5 lbs with their helves. I just weighed a Kelly Perfect Dayton (w/ a 3.5 lb head), it came in at 4.95 Lbs.

Tom
BTW; Great article...I would love to find a quality axe for $2 to $3 today. But then a newsstand copy of OL is $3.00+ today vs. .15

Ok Tom I concede your point that's probably what the writer meant, although I notice most people that post here call the axe weight just the weight of the head.