Bearded axe vs. jawed axe ???

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Square_peg

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There seems to be some confusion about these terms. So just to set the record straight.


beard-jaw2.jpg
 
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I had learned this in reverse, with the alternate/supplementary understanding of top and bottom corners being the toe and heel respectively.
 
Creek_Stomper said:
...... understanding of top and bottom corners being the toe and heel respectively.
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The heel is the corner of the axe closest to the knob or swell of the haft. The toe is the corner of the axe closest to the wedge.


Axe%20Head%20Terms%20SB.jpg



Axe%20Head%20Terms%20DB.jpg



That first diagram also illustrates the advantage of an inlaid bit versus an overlaid bit. An overlaid bit runs out of high carbon steel sooner than an inlaid bit. The inlay runs deeper into the core of the bit.
 
I could see, perhaps, the term "jaw" being used to describe the straight region bridging the curve of the edge and the line created by the descent of what is most commonly referred to as the beard. I have never seen a reference that described an axe in that manner.
 
From the days when I was in charge of educating young minds:

"Mr. Helm, what do you call thus-and-such?"

"Well, I call it a woogievondoodleydooksnergledefloogen, but people look at me weird when I do."

"Mr. Heeeeellllm!"

:D
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I could see, perhaps, the term "jaw" being used to describe the straight region bridging the curve of the edge and the line created by the descent of what is most commonly referred to as the beard. I have never seen a reference that described an axe in that manner.
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Just to play devils advocate. :)
We have a bearded axe with a toe?
 
I think the author may be trying to conflate two separate metaphorical terminologies. Poll, heel and toe work fine with the axe oriented so the bit is toward/parallel with the ground, as does eye if one wishes, but the common use of cheeks and beard seem to relate more to an an axe held with the bit perpendicular to the ground. I may well be wrong, though!
 
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There are conflicting sources about this terminology, and perhaps neither is wrong.

"A bearded axe, or Skeggöx (from Old Norse Skegg, beard + öx, axe) refers to various axes, used as a tool and weapon, as early as the 6th century AD. It is most commonly associated with Viking Age Scandinavians. The lower portion of an axe bit is called the "beard" and the cutting edge of the bearded axe extends below the width of the butt to provide a wide cutting surface while keeping the overall weight of the axe low. The hook, or "beard" of the axe would have also been useful in battle, to hook onto things, such as shields or weapons, to pull them out of the defender's grasp... Additionally this design allows the user to grip the haft directly behind the head for planing or shaving wood." --Wikipedia


Wikipedia is admittedly not the best source, but there are plenty of online references to "skeggox" or "bearded axe" that agree with this definition. Searching for "jawed axe" turns up that Beaudry book, and an obscure mention of a jawed axe from Estonia [with no picture], that's about all I found.


More about "bearded axes":

"There were two types of battle-axes used by Scandinavian soldiers. The first was known as the skeggox or bearded axe. It received its name because the bottom of its blade was drawn down toward the haft like a beard.
--The Norwegian Invasion of England in 1066, by Kelly DeVries, page 194


bearded axe: a general style of axe where the lower end or rear corner of the blade, including the heel of the cutting edge, extends considerably beyond the eye or socket thereby permitting the user to grip the handle or half directly above and in line with the cutting edge thereby providing more control when paring or shaving. (common on coach maker’s axes, goosewing axes and some European style felling axes.)
-- from Glossary at YesteryearsTools.com
 
garry3 said:
The author of that book is rather accomplished in the use of hewing axes.
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I'm in no position to dispute whether the guy has street cred when it comes to axes. But I've seen situations in multiple fields where the experts say something is so just because they want it to be so, and sometimes because they genuinely believe it so, and sometimes because they have multiple sources that say so (and the sources aren't sound or reliable). Expertise lends itself to credibility, but is not a proof in and of itself.

But at this point, all I see is one (assumably credible) source offering conflicting information with other (assumably credible) sources. I think it's only responsible to ask where he gets his info.
 
Creek_Stomper said:
I'm in no position to dispute whether the guy has street cred when it comes to axes. But I've seen situations in multiple fields where the experts say something is so just because they want it to be so, and sometimes because they genuinely believe it so, and sometimes because they have multiple sources that say so (and the sources aren't sound or reliable). Expertise lends itself to credibility, but is not a proof in and of itself.

But at this point, all I see is one (assumably credible) source offering conflicting information with other (assumably credible) sources. I think it's only responsible to ask where he gets his info.
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Fair enough and good points.
 
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