A double bit with different grinds?

C

chuxwan

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Aug 26, 2012
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Axe experts
The idea just popped in my head that a double bit axe could have completely different grinds on each side. I've never seen this but it seems obvious and I haven't seen much so... does it exist? I would think the profile could be totally different but still balance the axe perfectly and have a chopper and splitter that don't have to compromise. There has got to be something like this, right?
 
'In the Olden days' most DB had different grinds and a lot of folks still do it today.
One bit was ground for felling while the other was ground for 'grubbing'...
Which means that bit was used for knots, chopping near the ground, chopping roots, etc..
It was/ is a very common practice.
 
bearhunter said:
'In the Olden days' most DB had different grinds and a lot of folks still do it today.
One bit was ground for felling while the other was ground for 'grubbing'...
Which means that bit was used for knots, chopping near the ground, chopping roots, etc..
It was/ is a very common practice.
Click to expand...


exactly! why waste the versatility by putting the same profile/grind on both bits? a big part of the appeal of a double-bit (as a working tool, not a thrower) is the versatility of having two different axes in your hand while only having to carry one. I'm sure that you could make a good splitter on one side and a good chopper on the other with the right axe, but I keep my working double bit set up like bearhunter is talking about.....one side for chopping, and one side for dirty work.


-ben
 
Yeah that's pretty much what most people do with double bits - one side filed keenly for felling and the other more obtuse for grubbing, working around knots, limbing, or otherwise working near the ground. This versatility along with the balance and ease of maintenance in the field (like a pulaski, you can just smack one bit into a log in order to file the other) are probably it's main advantages over a single bit.

Just because the "grubbing" edge is more obtuse though, doesn't make it a good splitter. The overall profile generally isn't there and I'd be afraid of doing such work using a double edged tool - makes a glance or bounce that much more frightening. I much prefer a single bit for splitting since you also have the poll for driving wooden wedges.
 
I'd heard of people keeping double bits slightly different for fine vs. dirty work, but I'm wondering about a dedicated chopping edge and a dedicated splitting edge with splitting geometry.

So killa_concept you don't think it'd be a good idea to split with a DB for safety reasons?
 
chuxwan said:
So killa_concept you don't think it'd be a good idea to split with a DB for safety reasons?
Click to expand...

Double bits are nice for using with the twist/30 degree cant to the swing, which doesn't require a chopping block. if it rebounds, its another 16 or so inches further away and gives you time to get it back under control. Something about the symmetry and the balance makes them work really well with that technique as well.
 
I use a double bitted every chance I get. Straight handle and balance of the symmetrical form make it feel good in my hands, accurate and efficient in use. Today I have spent the whole day from morning to evening splitting firewood with it.

E. DB.
 
my lee reeves double bit has a thicker blade for chopping and a thin blade for knife work thought that was the norm with doubles two in one
 
I have a double bit that has mechanical levers on one side for splitting, similar to the "Chopper One" axe. Not exactly a different grind though.
 
I love the control and balance of a double bit, new to them but it's hard to go back even after only a few times using it!
 
Not really, I guess I'm not being very clear. I mean that the one side would be completely different, not just a fatter final grind. It would look like some kind of splitter and a felling axe just put together.

EDIT: I made an awful trackpad MS paint sketch to help

doublebitconcept.jpg
 
Last edited:
That's a pretty dang good sketch. I understand now. I've never seen one like it nor heard of it before Trailmaker's 'chopper one' post above.
 
chuxwan said:
Not really, I guess I'm not being very clear. I mean that the one side would be completely different, not just a fatter final grind. It would look like some kind of splitter and a felling axe just put together.

EDIT: I made an awful trackpad MS paint sketch to help

doublebitconcept.jpg
Click to expand...

I do believe that would be WAY off balance.
 
You could balance it by moving the eye toward the splitting side - assuming someone actually was going to make one.
 
Right. My point is that you could design it to be balanced. The sketch is meant to illustrate that the priority would be on balance and function rather than symmetry as in most DBs.
 
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