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Axe video thread

G

Glenn Bailey

Joined
Jun 1, 2017
Messages
241
Someone started an axe video thread not too long ago. I'm having a hard time finding it. I was hoping to add this recent video from Ben Scott. We all have watched weeks-worth of youtube videos and new knowledge comes in very small increments at this point. I learned more new information about axes in this video (posted just a month ago) than I have in the last 5 years of videos combined.

The old fottage is worth the price of admission alone!! Where did he get that stuff?!

My issue finding the thread was that searching for key words appears to be not limited to the forum, but for the whole site (unlike the old site). No way I can see to filter for the axe forum only.

 
When I open the search function I get a box that lets one choose where to search. It's to the right of the box where search terms are entered.
 
Generally an informative and enjoyable video.

One thing he doesn't quite understand about 'American' logging as he calls west coast logging is that our large trees started their lives on 'nursery stumps' and 'nursery trees'. There is no usable lumber in their bell ends. All you'll find is the rotten stump that the tree began its life upon and later eveloped. And that rotten wood will plug the gullets of a crosscut saw instantly. We didn't climb up on springboards to waste timber or perform circus tricks. We did it to get at the usable timber.

He does give a good explanation for many European pattern axes.

I see that he drew on my work concerning the Hudson Bay pattern.

European axes of the past few centuries have been influenced by that fact that they ran out of forest 400 years ago.
en.m.wikipedia.org

History of the forest in Central Europe - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org en.m.wikipedia.org
 
I've grown out of the "analysis paralysis" tool snob phase and pretty much think that minutia around efficiency aren't terribly relevant beyond a certain point; so use what you have, or like, or are personally biased towards, and it doesn't really matter that much. I would find uses for more European and Scandinavian axe heads if they were economical to find second hand (especially Scandinavian heads).

That said, what came to mind at the end of the video where he was saying that European patterns are "far more effective than a lot of American designs" (at least for, "craft work, cutting small trees, and limbing" because "apart from trail crews nobody is doing heavy chopping" -- forgive me for quote mining), was that it's much simpler to increase the penetrative ability of an average American head than it is, frankly, possible to "fatten out" an extremely concave, thin or flat cheeked euro axe. YES -- this sort of reclamation project with an American axe head can take a significant amount of time and work, depending on the condition (and even when using power tools), and many people either don't have the time/motivation to do that, or don't understand what they are trying to accomplish in removing that much material. But for anybody who is objectively serious about axe use vs. serious about talking about axe use, spending a few hours to really optimize an axe is sort of a litmus test that separates the two groups.


My impression, basically, is that the American axe can scale down pretty effectively in optimal working strengths (by choosing a lighter head, with more mid-blade hollow, and grinding it appropriately), whereas (certain) Euro patterns have a harder time scaling up (and in some instances can't at all). I could be wrong about this, but it probably doesn't matter either way (especially for "craft work, cutting small trees, and limbing", which I could do with a dang ol' kukri if need be).
 
What I absolutely loved about this video was the historical description/evolution? of the European axe patterns coupled with the old footage and European pattern explanations. Ben's passion for axes and their history and use is as large as anyone's. I often find his conclusions confusing based on how he processes his information, but I love watching him going out there on a regular basis doing everything he can to educate people. I found him through Lane (I really miss his videos) and usually happy with his videos. This one was exceptional given the amount of old footage he put together. The time he must have spend collecting and editing- I can't image!

BTW, my comment "I learned more new information about axes in this video (posted just a month ago) than I have in the last 5 years of videos combined." was purposeful mentioning videos. I learn more in any month on this forum than I have learned from all the videos I've seen combined.
 
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Glenn Bailey said:
What I absolutely loved about this video was the historical description/evolution? of the European axe patterns coupled with the old footage and European pattern explanations. Ben's passion for axes and their history and use is as large as anyone's. I often find his conclusions confusing based on how he processes his information, but I love watching him going out there on a regular basis doing everything he can to educate people. I found him through Lane (I really miss his videos) and usually happy with his videos. This one was exceptional given the amount of old footage he put together. The time he must have spend collecting and editing- I can't image!

BTW, my comment "I learned more new information about axes in this video (posted just a month ago) than I have in the last 5 years of videos combined." was purposeful mentioning videos. I learn more in any month on this forum than I have learned from all the videos I've seen combined.
Click to expand...
Makes me ask why this Ben Scott isn't aware of the axe, tomahawk and hatchet blade forum. Where is this figure and who is lane?
 
Square_peg said:
Generally an informative and enjoyable video.

One thing he doesn't quite understand about 'American' logging as he calls west coast logging is that our large trees started their lives on 'nursery stumps' and 'nursery trees'. There is no usable lumber in their bell ends. All you'll find is the rotten stump that the tree began its life upon and later eveloped. And that rotten wood will plug the gullets of a crosscut saw instantly. We didn't climb up on springboards to waste timber or perform circus tricks. We did it to get at the usable timber.

He does give a good explanation for many European pattern axes.

I see that he drew on my work concerning the Hudson Bay pattern.

European axes of the past few centuries have been influenced by that fact that they ran out of forest 400 years ago.
en.m.wikipedia.org

History of the forest in Central Europe - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org en.m.wikipedia.org
Click to expand...
Maybe Western Red Cedar and Western Hemlock mostly started on stumps and nurse logs but I don't think you will find many old growth Douglas Fir that did. You can look at the 100+ year old spring board marked stumps on my tree farm for proof of that. When I was running tree planting crews it was a major sin to plant a fir seedling in "red rot."
 
Glenn Bailey said:
Someone started an axe video thread not too long ago. I'm having a hard time finding it. I was hoping to add this recent video from Ben Scott. We all have watched weeks-worth of youtube videos and new knowledge comes in very small increments at this point. I learned more new information about axes in this video (posted just a month ago) than I have in the last 5 years of videos combined.

The old fottage is worth the price of admission alone!! Where did he get that stuff?!

My issue finding the thread was that searching for key words appears to be not limited to the forum, but for the whole site (unlike the old site). No way I can see to filter for the axe forum only.

Click to expand...
Really informative video, thanks for sharing. Please tell me what software do you use and can you recommend in order to create and process videos with the highest quality? I will be very grateful to you for your recommendations, as I have been looking for the best option for several months.
 
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