High Performance Hand Axe - A Photo Essay

Robin - welcome to the forum and thanks for the spoon video. I ended up watching all 4!

Regarding the modifications, from what I've read and and your pictures, I gather that the polished finish, gradual taper from edge to eye, and evenness from top to bottom (a line roughly parallel with the edge) are all important to enhancing performance. How does this third characteristic - the evenness from top to bottom - make a difference? Does it make the depth of the bite more even?
 
Brian,

Thanks for the article. I also read Old Jimbo's articles on axes. Unless i missed it, i havent read anything that describes what edge shape works better in which type wood so maybe its just the bevel to cheek width and its angle or rate of increase, if i am describing it correctly.

Does the quality of a S&N axe vary greatly, from what i have read (mosty at BF) GB is good, Wetterlings is hit or miss.
 
modalnot said:
Brian,

Thanks for the article. I also read Old Jimbo's articles on axes. Unless i missed it, i havent read anything that describes what edge shape works better in which type wood so maybe its just the bevel to cheek width and its angle or rate of increase, if i am describing it correctly.
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There are many books that have diagrams of different edge configurations. You pretty much just described it there though. In general, the harder the wood, the more thick and convex the edge generally is.

What I have done in the past is to take different axes through different stages of grind. Thicker to thinner. Trying them in different types of wood, when I come up with one that I really like the performance of, I make a wooden jig for future grinds.

It is amazing how subtle it can be sometimes. You grind an axe to a jig and it looks "close enough." Go try it out and it is not up to par. Go back and grind a bit more and presto!

modalnot said:
Does the quality of a S&N axe vary greatly, from what i have read (mosty at BF) GB is good, Wetterlings is hit or miss.
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I have ground quite a few of them now. The edge on them is not setup well, and is rather coarse. Pretty typical actually. The head profiles have seemed to be pretty darn consistent. I had one that had a touch more material in one spot, but I ground it away to match. I am very happy in that aspect.

I have had only ONE that I was not happy with. The handle grain was way out of whack. I will more than likely document the defect and part with it at a lower cost. Either that or see if S&N will exchange it. I am kind of curious how they will react to it. Being a small guy, they will probably just blow me off. But, we will see.

When I bought my first S&N from a large dealer, I asked them to please check the handle grain for me. Three days later, sales connected me to technical support, to tell me that it is a "production axe" and I can't expect it to be perfect. I told them that it was a $50 production axe and I can expect more than a $20 hardware store axe, including a proper handle. That one arrived okay.

Long way of saying.....I think it is still too soon to tell. I can keep you posted as I get more and more, if you are interested.

Brian
 
Excellent post. That is one beautiful axe. You've given me a lot to think about.

What's your experience with Estwing axes and hatchets?
 
Just found this on a reference from the HoodsWoods forum. Thank you for a most informative post. The pictures and narrative clearly show a lot of things I had never considered, being a very rank newbie to axedom. I have always had trouble with the axe going off to one side or another when chopping or splitting. I assumed it was my fault, the axe after all does not change. Now, looking at your photos, I can see that perhaps one side of the axe has a sharper transition than the other side, throwing the blow to one side. I have to examine my axes more closely. Maybe it's not just me.
Thanks again.
 
I found this thread from a link in another tread last Friday. We made a flying trip to Cades Coves over the weekend and I realized how under axed I am, with my hardware store purchases. I will be ordering one of these today!
 
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From what I've seen and heard you will not be disappointed.
 
So how does edge retension compare between the GB,S&N,and Wetterlings? How is everyone liking their S&Ns that have been using them for a while?
 
m said:
So how does edge retension compare between the GB,S&N,and Wetterlings? How is everyone liking their S&Ns that have been using them for a while?
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I heard from custon axe maker in Sweden (cegga on this forum) that the steel in the GB and Wetterlings is exactly the same. I dont know about the other maker though.
 
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