Axe Practice

I

IA Woodsman

Joined
Sep 21, 2009
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There has been many discussions about axes lately. I am a big fan of an axe. The question has been asked if you only had one tool to take to the woods what would it be. For many, it would be an axe. But, we are not born with an axe in our hand. Here are a couple of things you can do to increase you proficiency with this tool.

[youtube]bwgRA3UZOMA[/youtube]
You don't have to be in the woods to practice. These drills can be done in your backyard. These skill drills are a little harder than you might think. Give em a try.
 
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I learned the hard way to make sure to wear gloves when doing shavings with an axe, with my pointer finger extended.. Had a piece go under the nail.. NOT the most pleasant thing in the world... Still I practice it and have gotten pretty good at it but I'll definitely be wearing gloves whenever I make shavings(atleast with my finger extended) LOL...

I like the idea with making the tent stake !! Good stuff !!
 
I find my hand gets tired quickly when carving with the index finger extended. But for making feather sticks you want that control. I guess that's where having a sharp axe really helps.
 
Liked the info on the tent stakes, I have made fuzz sticks and shavings with many axes. I keep em shaving sharp (my smaller one handed ones) and they do very well at this. Good info.
 
Great stuff again brother... Hope there's gonna be a part 2.... Thanks for continuously producing good stuff.
 
Great info. I look forward to more. :D

What axe do you prefer, or are you using in the video?
 
Tuxdad said:
I learned the hard way to make sure to wear gloves when doing shavings with an axe, with my pointer finger extended.. Had a piece go under the nail.. NOT the most pleasant thing in the world... Still I practice it and have gotten pretty good at it but I'll definitely be wearing gloves whenever I make shavings(atleast with my finger extended) LOL...

I like the idea with making the tent stake !! Good stuff !!
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Nothing wrong with wearing gloves.
dogstar said:
I find my hand gets tired quickly when carving with the index finger extended. But for making feather sticks you want that control. I guess that's where having a sharp axe really helps.
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The sharper the better.
barrabas74 said:
Liked the info on the tent stakes, I have made fuzz sticks and shavings with many axes. I keep em shaving sharp (my smaller one handed ones) and they do very well at this. Good info.
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crossada said:
Another great vid IA
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Thanks guys.
Bowman1911 said:
Awesome IA! Didn't realize you were over here too!
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I try to be everywhere.
RescueRiley said:
Great stuff again brother... Hope there's gonna be a part 2.... Thanks for continuously producing good stuff.
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More on the way.
oeser said:
Great info. I look forward to more. :D

What axe do you prefer, or are you using in the video?
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The axe in the vid is a 26" Wetterlings. I use it most of the time.
 
Nice beginnings
Look forward to the second and the third videos

On YouTube I see people chopping like crazy at the base of the V notch and getting nowhere fast
They don't know how to make a 45 degree notch the width of the log
And they should be cutting chips out the log
If the first notch is too wide to get chips make it narrower
Then widen the notch at 45 degrees
 
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G'day IA

I can appreciate what you are saying about a bevel to prevent the top of the tent peg from splitting, as it enables the point of the upper end of the tend peg to spread inorder to compensate for a strike that doesn't hit straight on (ie at a 90 degree angle to a squared off end)..

But..in my experience, if the poll of the axe hits the end of the tent peg square on, rather than at an angle, it won't split either. I assume the advice for a beveled end is sage advice for those who are still learning to use an axe?

BTW since your a "hardswoodsman", why are you you using such soft wood? :D



Kind regards
Mick
 
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