How to use an Axe (video laden)

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dogstar

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Jan 23, 2011
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Okay, there was a lukewarm reception to this idea, but when has that ever stopped anyone? Post your favorite instructional videos, threads, links to improve understanding of the axe, hawk and hatchet usage.

I have to start with this one:
[video=youtube;2tUUctg6dfk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tUUctg6dfk[/video]
 
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Using a chicken stick to hold a piece of wood:
[video=youtube;x31UtoLnY8Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x31UtoLnY8Y[/video]
 
IA Woodsman's instant classic on the CS trail hawk:
[video=youtube;6pvv97vPLHk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pvv97vPLHk[/video]
 
All of Ross' (aka Wood Trekker, rg598 on you tube) videos are worth a look. This is the most comprehensive one I've seen about splitting wood in the wilderness, with no chopping block or squarely sawed wood.
[video=youtube;AfAwlzk8aA8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfAwlzk8aA8[/video]
 
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Quartering a log with a hatchet and some wedges:
[video=youtube;FmXURKP3RMY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmXURKP3RMY[/video]
 
This is "An axe to grind, part 2" put out by the Forest Service. Lots of safety tips on the voice-over and a great opportunity to see professionals at work. I think this is the best footage of cross cutting (bucking) that I could find. He demonstrates 2 ways: cutting a single notch downwards, and the faster, textbook technique of making 2 notches on the sides. Note how he handles glancing blows.

0:00 long intro
0:40 talking about double bit axes
1:44 limbing
3:40 bucking via single vertical notch
5:40 bucking via double side notches
from around 7:00 to 13:00 they talk about other tools
13:00 and on, re-hanging an axe, sharpening (good stuff).
[video=youtube;p-wXYgwjcqw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-wXYgwjcqw[/video]
 
You can do fairly fine carving with an axe. This man is a master spoon maker. He has a specialized axe, but most of these skills are transferable to more common axes. I like the variety of ways he uses the axe, especially the corners.
[video=youtube;6pJFpn-GkPI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pJFpn-GkPI[/video]
 
Great thread this

There's a few vids by Robin Wood I'll see if I an find them :)
 
Thanks Noddy and Ookami for your positivity. This is a bowl made mostly with a hatchet. I'm impressed he hollowed using the hatchet. A curved knife was used to smooth out the interior.
[video=youtube;19ncMNDMl2E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19ncMNDMl2E[/video]
 
[video=youtube;ueIB0h4SzHc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueIB0h4SzHc[/video]
 
[video=youtube;Lx-NTPBoLmU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=Lx-NTPBoLmU[/video]
 
:thumbup: Noddy. I love the barefoot Japanese guy and carving in the living room. I made a kayak paddle that way. Thanks for your contributions!
 
Cpl Punishments tips on using a hawk from the WSS forum
Cpl Punishment said:
First off, use a long haft. A true hawk doesn't have a lot of mass, so you need speed.

Next, I've tried an axe-like swing and a kukri-like snap cut with the hawk, and the snap cut works better -- gives it that extra bit of speed at the end.

A narrow-bit hawk will bite deep. Yes, you'll have to work it out on the first hit. Then I find hitting close to the first strike -- versus making a wide "V" notch like an axe -- gives another deep cut, and when I pull the hawk out, a narrow, but deep chip comes with it. Sharp, fast strike like this seem to work best. What Vec calls "pecking" with the hawk, versus trying to chop like an axe.

As for splitting, do it just like a hatchet.
Click to expand...
 
Using a hatchet to section and split a wrist sized branch:
[video=youtube;LjrJapcdWqY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjrJapcdWqY[/video]
 
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