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Ok, in this new thread of posts I will be discussing blades (Axes, knives and all things sharp). This is also posted on my Blog (todd-gray.com) and the "Every Man Needs a Good Blade" series will be a regular thing for me.
My dad and grandfather (and most other men I grew up respecting) always had a sharp tool for the job. This passion has been passed on to me. And maybe I have taken it a little further. :-D
In this my first "Every Man Needs a Good Blade" post, I will be discussing axes. "Why Axes" you ask. Well this week, in particular, a good and sharp axe is very important to me. I am a Pastor and every year at Easter I build a 14 foot cross on stage out of a large 10 inch in diameter or larger pine tree… with just a axe. It is a lot of fun, but hard work. I carry the 7 ft. Cross beam in on my shoulder and have the 14 ft main beam on stage waiting for me. I am in character as a 1st Century Jewish carpenter who has been selected to build the cross for Jesus. My character is struggling with believing that Jesus could be the Messiah and yet die. To see this go to our YouTube page ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4nYos2xp_3Lbtyauq8zj0Q) and search for "Cross Service." Or visit our website www.tabernaclefamily.org/sermonvideo and this weeks cross service will be up later in the week.
Now to the blades… the logistics of building such a large cross in 30 minutes presents some serious challenges. For one, we don't have those size trees in this part of TX, so weeks beforehand I travel to the East part of TX with another Pastor friend along with some free labor and we cut down a bunch of pine tress. (Side Note: for felling trees I recommend a STHIL chainsaw). ;-)
When it comes to chopping the actual trees during the drama, maybe the most important thing on stage is the axe. It needs to be dependable, sharp and heavy enough to cut through the wood quickly. The first year, I used a old axe a friend put together from a "well aged" axe head in his shop that he attached to a new handle. It worked but I was always scared it might not finish the job. Now, I have the three perfect axes for the job. A Gransfors Bruks Double Bit Axe (for the big stuff), a Gransfors Bruks "Ray Mears" Wilderness Axe (for the finer work), and a Wetterlings Outdoor Axe for my son in the drama (to clean out the notched sections).
I just finished three cross services this weekend and these Swedish beauties really did their job!
First up… the Gransfors Bruks Double Bit Working Axe: Gransfors makes the best axes and have been doing it from Sweden since 1868 ( http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/). This axe is hand-forged and razor sharp! This bad boy will make the chips fly and does quick work of the sections that I need to cut out. It is heavy enough to get a real bite into the wood and the handle feels super strong in the hand.
Specs:
35" Hickory Handle
3 lb Head Weight
Double 6" Faces
Total weight: 5 lbs
Oh and did is mention it was shaving sharp!
Next, I use a Gransfors Bruks "Ray Mears" Wilderness Axe. This is a new addition to my axes for the cross service, but it also is hand-forged and a little shorter. Its perfect not only for the wilderness but a ideal size to finish what the Double Bit started in making the notches so I can fit the cross beam into the main beam and to nail them together.
Specs:
Head weight: 0.8 kg (1.7 lb)
Total weight: 1.4 kg (3 lb)
60 cm hickory handle (23 in)
Also, very sharp!
Finally, I let my son, in the drama, use the Wetterlings Outdoor Axe. Wetterlings is also a Sweedish company that has been making axes since about 1900. They use very similar Hand-Forging techniques and interestingly enough are right across the street from Gransfors Bruks. Both make fine axes. I let my son in the drama use this axe so he can clean out the notches so the two logs fit perfectly together. It is the ideal size for really anything… and is also razor sharp! All three axes are safer and best used sharp. All three will hold a good working edge and can get a shaving sharp edge with a little work.
Total weight: 1.1 kg (2.4 lb)
Total length: 49 cm (19 1/4″
Face: 8 cm (3″
I would highly recommend all three of these axes for any wood working task and I praise God that they work for me. Like any carbon blade they need proper care. You need to keep them clean, sharp and well oiled. Each come comes with a perfect made sheath to protect you from the blade. Thanks for looking!
My dad and grandfather (and most other men I grew up respecting) always had a sharp tool for the job. This passion has been passed on to me. And maybe I have taken it a little further. :-D
In this my first "Every Man Needs a Good Blade" post, I will be discussing axes. "Why Axes" you ask. Well this week, in particular, a good and sharp axe is very important to me. I am a Pastor and every year at Easter I build a 14 foot cross on stage out of a large 10 inch in diameter or larger pine tree… with just a axe. It is a lot of fun, but hard work. I carry the 7 ft. Cross beam in on my shoulder and have the 14 ft main beam on stage waiting for me. I am in character as a 1st Century Jewish carpenter who has been selected to build the cross for Jesus. My character is struggling with believing that Jesus could be the Messiah and yet die. To see this go to our YouTube page ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4nYos2xp_3Lbtyauq8zj0Q) and search for "Cross Service." Or visit our website www.tabernaclefamily.org/sermonvideo and this weeks cross service will be up later in the week.
Now to the blades… the logistics of building such a large cross in 30 minutes presents some serious challenges. For one, we don't have those size trees in this part of TX, so weeks beforehand I travel to the East part of TX with another Pastor friend along with some free labor and we cut down a bunch of pine tress. (Side Note: for felling trees I recommend a STHIL chainsaw). ;-)
When it comes to chopping the actual trees during the drama, maybe the most important thing on stage is the axe. It needs to be dependable, sharp and heavy enough to cut through the wood quickly. The first year, I used a old axe a friend put together from a "well aged" axe head in his shop that he attached to a new handle. It worked but I was always scared it might not finish the job. Now, I have the three perfect axes for the job. A Gransfors Bruks Double Bit Axe (for the big stuff), a Gransfors Bruks "Ray Mears" Wilderness Axe (for the finer work), and a Wetterlings Outdoor Axe for my son in the drama (to clean out the notched sections).
I just finished three cross services this weekend and these Swedish beauties really did their job!
First up… the Gransfors Bruks Double Bit Working Axe: Gransfors makes the best axes and have been doing it from Sweden since 1868 ( http://www.gransforsbruk.com/en/). This axe is hand-forged and razor sharp! This bad boy will make the chips fly and does quick work of the sections that I need to cut out. It is heavy enough to get a real bite into the wood and the handle feels super strong in the hand.
Specs:
35" Hickory Handle
3 lb Head Weight
Double 6" Faces
Total weight: 5 lbs
Oh and did is mention it was shaving sharp!
Next, I use a Gransfors Bruks "Ray Mears" Wilderness Axe. This is a new addition to my axes for the cross service, but it also is hand-forged and a little shorter. Its perfect not only for the wilderness but a ideal size to finish what the Double Bit started in making the notches so I can fit the cross beam into the main beam and to nail them together.
Specs:
Head weight: 0.8 kg (1.7 lb)
Total weight: 1.4 kg (3 lb)
60 cm hickory handle (23 in)
Also, very sharp!
Finally, I let my son, in the drama, use the Wetterlings Outdoor Axe. Wetterlings is also a Sweedish company that has been making axes since about 1900. They use very similar Hand-Forging techniques and interestingly enough are right across the street from Gransfors Bruks. Both make fine axes. I let my son in the drama use this axe so he can clean out the notches so the two logs fit perfectly together. It is the ideal size for really anything… and is also razor sharp! All three axes are safer and best used sharp. All three will hold a good working edge and can get a shaving sharp edge with a little work.
Total weight: 1.1 kg (2.4 lb)
Total length: 49 cm (19 1/4″
Face: 8 cm (3″
I would highly recommend all three of these axes for any wood working task and I praise God that they work for me. Like any carbon blade they need proper care. You need to keep them clean, sharp and well oiled. Each come comes with a perfect made sheath to protect you from the blade. Thanks for looking!
Below are pics of a cross that I built nearly two years on property our church bought so that one day we can build a church instead of meeting in an old small HVAC business building 
