Hewing axe project and offset handle

[jblyttle]

I also think that HHS broad axe hafts are too long. I don't think they should be more than 30". I think historically they were more like 24".

Oh my lower back is crying just looking at this guy.

 

[markv]

prolly a professional tie hack.
he is strong.
two whacks i'd be done!!!
i've read where they would hew and load all day. there was a famous hacker who could lift a couple hundred lb. ties on his shoulder all day long

buzz

 

[jblyttle]

prolly a professional tie hack.
he is strong.
two whacks i'd be done!!!
i've read where they would hew and load all day. there was a famous hacker who could lift a couple hundred lb. ties on his shoulder all day long

buzz

Oh it's not that, it's the ergonomics. I have learned after last winter the suffering potential after working in a bent position for a prolonged period.

 

[Square_peg]

"juggles"
never heard that term before.
excellent read
thanks for posting

buzz

Sometimes they were called "joggles", but juggles is more common. The act of notching a log and busting off the wood in between the notches is called "juggling". That work was usually done with a single-bit or sometimes double-bit axe. The broad axe came after that to clean up the face and hew to the line. A bucking axe is good for juggling - 30" to 34" haft depending on the height of the man. At 6'-0" I like a 33" haft best.

 

[Square_peg]

Oh it's not that, it's the ergonomics. I have learned after last winter the suffering potential after working in a bent position for a prolonged period.

It's not so bad.

 

[rjdankert]

Oh my lower back is crying just looking at this guy.

Yea, mine too. I posted this video of some axe work. Here is a screen shot from that video:

One thing I noticed is that the log is held up higher than I've normally seen in hewing pictures and videos. The log is usually seen just off the ground. Sometimes the hewers/hackers are actually standing on top of the log. In the above picture the guy on the left is bent at the waist, but the guy on the right is standing straight up.

Bob

Disclaimer: just an observation - no comparative experience.

 

[jblyttle]

It's not so bad.

For some reason, I've noticed that having one leg up like that helps. Working like the first guy kills me.

 

[markv]

Sometimes they were called "joggles", but juggles is more common. The act of notching a log and busting off the wood in between the notches is called "juggling". That work was usually done with a single-bit or sometimes double-bit axe. The broad axe came after that to clean up the face and hew to the line. A bucking axe is good for juggling - 30" to 34" haft depending on the height of the man. At 6'-0" I like a 33" haft best.

i'm saving this. all good

 

[markv]

wish i'd bought the braod axe from the guy i hung it for.
buzz

 

[SC T100]

For some reason, I've noticed that having one leg up like that helps. Working like the first guy kills me.

It's the same when prepping food in the kitchen, like cutting up a lot of meat/onions/peppers/ect. Open a cabinet and put one foot up on the first shelf and the back strain is reduced immediately and by quite a bit.