Basque Axe from Lamnia (!)

S

snowballsnowflake

Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Messages
36
I have to say, this is one cool axe. Razor sharp and much smaller than I thought it would be. 1.25K Felling axe. Well worth the wait.

P1010294_1.jpg
 
If I may ask - is this the replacement Lamnia sent after your initial shipment was lost ?

Congrats on the new axe, looks good !
 
very nice axe indeed. can you post a picture from the top? looks like its curved in the right places. And maybe of the whole thing so we can see the shape of the handle etc? :)
Also, does that have a slip fit handle or a wedged attachment ?
 
Should be a slip fit. If I remember correctly the only axe of theirs that's wedge-fit is their racing model.
 
It sports a Red or European Beech handle! Be interesting to hear how it feels in use compared the usual hickory.
 
Here is a good review by Rooster from Axe junkies. Good review, the guy seems to have plenty of experience with an ax. Seems like they are decent axes. (I would rather see a Rooster review and hear his opinion than the plethora of "just picked up an ax for the first time a couple of years ago, but let me tell you lifetime ax user what it all about" videos that are around lately.
Right around 3:58 and 5:00 is the best argument you will ever get for A, using proper form. B, a longer handle.
In the hands of a less experienced ax man, both those shots would result in disaster.
There is another video review I will find and upload that shows bucking and some "lower" splitting. The body position is absolutely bent completely over to keep the hands low enough to keep safe with such a short handle. Definitely couldn't keep that up all day.
If I recall the release was quite good.
I have contemplated getting one of these. Just putting it on a longer work handle instead of the racing handle descendent of is on. I think Ugauldi, sorry if I butchered your name, posted one of these(or the racing version) hung on a wedged handle. Not a cross wedge just a traditional wedge. That interested me.


[Youtube]KkgTup9TJX8[/Youtube]
 
Last edited:
300Six said:
It sports a Red or European Beech handle! Be interesting to hear how it feels in use compared the usual hickory.
Click to expand...

In my own experience, beech handles transmit more shock to the hands than hickory (though not atrociously so) but it otherwise does very well. It's less grain orientation-sensitive than ash is, and it's still very tough and springy. It's just less elastic than either hickory or ash.
 
The couple of Basque guys I've known (both were carpenters) were strong, but fairly short. I wonder if the short handle length might reflect that. (Of course a sample of two may not mean anything.)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
Pointshoot777 said:
The couple of Basque guys I've known (both were carpenters) were strong, but fairly short. I wonder if the short handle length might reflect that. (Of course a sample of two may not mean anything.)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
Could be. The form used by the Basque for timbersport I'd definitely different then here or Australia. It is definitely reflected in the handles they use.
I am six feet and I think 34 is probably the butter zone for an all around ax for me. I am extremely comfortable with 36" with everything but standing on the tree Bucking.
To the best of my knowledge the boys ax/ pulp ax is a northeastern creation credited to the French Canadians cutting in Maine and points north. They were not known for being tall. 5' 8" ish I think. (Perhaps shorter) A 28" handle and a two and a half pound head makes a whole lot more sense if you are ribs showing thin and 5' 8" than it does for a bigger man. Junk food for thought.
 
Last edited:
BTW - both those Basque fellows were tough as can be and skilled & tireless craftsman. They had a long list of people wanting them to do various projects.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
Woodcraft said:
Right around 3:58 and 5:00 is the best argument you will ever get for A, using proper form. B, a longer handle.
In the hands of a less experienced ax man, both those shots would result in disaster.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I think the video shows that this length handle (I'm guessing it is about 26") isn't appropriate for splitting work.
1. It's dangerous
2. It doesn't develop much power

The rule is that in splitting operations the axe handle should never go past parallel with the ground. Squat before impact if necessary. When the handle passes parallel you risk it running into to your legs/shins especially with a shorter handle that won't impact the ground. Rooster made impact with the handle parallel to the ground. When the axe penetrated and nearly exited the wood it was headed towards the splitter. Rooster got away with it because of his experience. He would have been better off squatting or dropping his wrists even lower so that the axe was above parallel to the ground upon impact and his follow-thru would take the axe to the splitting block rather than down between his legs or god forbid into his legs.
 
Pointshoot777 said:
The couple of Basque guys I've known (both were carpenters) were strong, but fairly short. I wonder if the short handle length might reflect that. (Of course a sample of two may not mean anything.)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...
nah, they like the short handles because its a faster swing, less sliding, as far as endurance goes, the Basque chopping events are longer then the Timber sports events, they use shorter handles on lighter heads on harder woods also, some of those guys are 6" plus just leaner since its an endurance event.

I don't think there is superiority in the longer handles its just different and you have to be more open minded and have good technique to take advantage.
 
DeadboxHero said:
nah, they like the short handles
Click to expand...
Male average hight
Basque 5' 8"
American/Australian5' 10"
Basque(racing) handle 27" (varies)
American/Australian(racing) handle 29" to 31" (varies)
:confused:


DeadboxHero said:
I don't think there is superiority in the longer handles
Click to expand...



Of course there is:confused:
Try breaking the world record (any one of them) in the underhand chop with a too short a handle and a light head. Lol.
Try splitting wood every day for a year to heat your home with a 27" handle. Years and years of experience is King.
Try felling, and bucking a tree with a 27" handle. Then try splitting it where it lies. Lol.

I guess​ if you are 5'7" you would have an argument.
Handles correspond to the users body type and height and style to a point. So if you are 5'7" a 27" handle may be like a 32" handle to a 6' person. (Truth be told I find 32" to be a bit short at 6')
 
Last edited:
Woodcraft said:
Male average hight
Basque 5' 8"
American/Australian5' 10"
Basque(racing) handle 27" (varies)
American/Australian(racing) handle 29" to 31" (varies)
:confused:






Of course there is:confused:
Try breaking the world record (any one of them) in the underhand chop with a too short a handle and a light head. Lol.
Try splitting wood every day for a year to heat your home with a 27" handle. Years and years of experience is King.
Try felling, and bucking a tree with a 27" handle. Then try splitting it where it lies. Lol.

I guess​ if you are 5'7" you would have an argument.
Handles correspond to the users body type and height and style to a point. So if you are 5'7" a 27" handle may be like a 32" handle to a 6' person. (Truth be told I find 32" to be a bit short at 6')
Click to expand...


+ 1

IMO all your points make sense.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
Woodcraft said:
Male average hight
Basque 5' 8"
American/Australian5' 10"
Basque(racing) handle 27" (varies)
American/Australian(racing) handle 29" to 31" (varies)
:confused:






Of course there is:confused:
Try breaking the world record (any one of them) in the underhand chop with a too short a handle and a light head. Lol.
Try splitting wood every day for a year to heat your home with a 27" handle. Years and years of experience is King.
Try felling, and bucking a tree with a 27" handle. Then try splitting it where it lies. Lol.

I guess​ if you are 5'7" you would have an argument.
Handles correspond to the users body type and height and style to a point. So if you are 5'7" a 27" handle may be like a 32" handle to a 6' person. (Truth be told I find 32" to be a bit short at 6')
Click to expand...

Any footage of you swinging?
 
FWIW, it seems to me, based on Ugaldie's threads, that those guys swing axes more than the average axe user, and they seem to be content with the with this setup. They don't seem to lack stamina either.
 
Moonw said:
FWIW, it seems to me, based on Ugaldie's threads, that those guys swing axes more than the average axe user, and they seem to be content with the with this setup. They don't seem to lack stamina either.
Click to expand...

No, they are quite amazing. But they are not splitting wood. Or limbing. Or bucking as "work" for that matter. They are racing. And that is a different beast altogether from working with an ax.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top