Chips

scdub

scdub

Basic Member
Joined
May 29, 2004
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2,965
Just a quick post about technique.

Like probably most people these days I didn’t grow up learning how to use an axe.

My interest has been increasing over the years and I’ve started working with larger axes.

I’ve done lots of small chopping jobs throughout the years with knives, machetes and tomahawks, and never really put much thought into chip creation.

Today however was the first time I used something like proper technique after spending the last couple of days watching YouTube videos while trying to decide on a mid-sized axe to purchase.

Interestingly (to me) I’d watched several of the same videos years ago and apparently just didn’t focus on or notice how the blows were placed.

Anyway, all of this is to say that if you aren’t attempting to produce good-sized chips while chopping, you’re probably wasting energy, and YouTube is your friend.

Here are some chips from about a few weeks ago:
35ADF11B-68A3-4282-A0ED-58531A57146B.jpeg

And these are from today:
EC5F537A-AB3C-4FD3-BAA6-48081130E9F2.jpeg
Happy chopping!
 
Bigger is better, although when falling I’m more trying to shape the notch(es) than watching chips. Easy to produce an even parallel or tapered hinge with a chainsaw, requires more concentration with an axe. At least for me.

Parker
 
dogstar said:
Nice chopping!
Someone is going to tell you to use a saw instead 😛
Click to expand...
:)
I’m certainly not against saws.

I’m a big fan of Silky saws and used to rely on a Katanaboy for all of the larger trees that I encountered. (And I still tend to saw/baton rather than chop when backpacking or far out on a single track trail).

These days though, as long as I’ve got a tourniquet, quick clot, transportation and communications, I’d rather use an axe for medium/large down trees. It’s simply more enjoyable and engaging than a saw.

Like driving a fast stick shift car - more challenging but more rewarding. ;)
 
Last edited:
scdub said:
Just a quick post about technique.

Like probably most people these days I didn’t grow up learning how to use an axe.

My interest has been increasing over the years and I’ve started working with larger axes.

I’ve done lots of small chopping jobs throughout the years with knives, machetes and tomahawks, and never really put much thought into chip creation.

Today however was the first time I used something like proper technique after spending the last couple of days watching YouTube videos while trying to decide on a mid-sized axe to purchase.

Interestingly (to me) I’d watched several of the same videos years ago and apparently just didn’t focus on or notice how the blows were placed.

Anyway, all of this is to say that if you aren’t attempting to produce good-sized chips while chopping, you’re probably wasting energy, and YouTube is your friend.

Here are some chips from about a few weeks ago:
View attachment 2053602

And these are from today:
View attachment 2053601
Happy chopping!
Click to expand...
are you right handed, by any chance?
That looks like a cut made by a right-handed person.
 
EngrSorenson said:
are you right handed, by any chance?
That looks like a cut made by a right-handed person.
Click to expand...
Yup. I’ve been practicing off-hand chopping but definitely more accurate using a right-handed swing. I generally do a natural swing starting from the right shoulder and then arcing down from either the right or left.

I’ve watched Ben Scott on YouTube who has a different style where the swings all come straight down through the middle, but I haven’t really given that a proper try.

I recently heard an old quote that went something like: “You can tell which State a man is from by the way he swings an axe.’

While I’m sure that’s a bit exaggerated, it’s still interesting to think that there are/were several ways to swing an axe.
 
scdub said:
Yup. I’ve been practicing off-hand chopping but definitely more accurate using a right-handed swing. I generally do a natural swing starting from the right shoulder and then arcing down from either the right or left.

I’ve watched Ben Scott on YouTube who has a different style where the swings all come straight down through the middle, but I haven’t really given that a proper try.

I recently heard an old quote that went something like: “You can tell which State a man is from by the way he swings an axe.’

While I’m sure that’s a bit exaggerated, it’s still interesting to think that there are/were several ways to swing an axe.
Click to expand...

I like Ben Scott, and I think he's got great technique. He adjusts his stance to account for that, and frankly I think it's similar to what I do. I find I get more reliable accuracy by adjusting for the natural follow through.
I'm not a big fan of contorting my swing to accommodate my body, and I think off hand chopping isn't necessary.
 
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Square_peg said:
Nice work with a boys axe! A buck made on the ground will naturally take this shape.

This is why wraps on user axes are pretty much pointless.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Much more fun now that I’m not wasting so much energy.

I’m not following you about wraps though - what do you mean?
 
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