Axe profile

[firebrick43]

Alright I will try my plumb but after buy and reading D. Cook's "Axe book" I am left more confused. He states and with good logic in my opinion that the profile of an axe should be staight with a slight 1/8 inch rounding on the corners. A profile like this should cut a clean and even cut across the face and if the next strike should overlap just slightly it would save many strikes. The problem is that even the gransfors double bit that is supposedly the best is very rounded.(my guess is that the throwing axe and working axe share the same head so they didnt want to go to the expense of making two profiles) What gives? Where are we to buy an axe shaped right? What are others opinions of Mr. Cooks view on profiles of an axe?

Jay Moyer

 

[Cliff Stamp]

my guess is that the throwing axe and working axe share the same head so they didnt want to go to the expense of making two profiles

That would be my guess as well.

What are others opinions of Mr. Cooks view on profiles of an axe?

He is dead on, too much curvature weakens penetration as the cut lines are off depth, not enough curvature weakens penetration as the edges don't cut cleanly. Bruks also makes a felling axe with a better felling pattern but it is way too thick unless you are cutting really soft woods.

-Cliff