I need Chopping Lessons

First of all can we dismiss the earlier video shown.
Why?
Go to 2:26 and hear him sigh from tiredness after 2:26 minutes !!!

But on the other hand....

The Axe is Back Project - US Forest Service, An Axe to Grind - Parts 1 and 2.
Very informative
In fact a must!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz3rs-eaN3E&feature=related


I learnt how to use an axe when I was in Scouts (a long time ago)
And being little with a small amount of strength, it all depended on technique.

Cutting with an axe is a languid fluid action
An easy of the swing
The using of your hands to guide
Very little power until you are accurate

Your right hand as the pivot of the swing, and the guide to the angle of the axe as it strikes
Your left hand, lazily travels from the head down to your right hand for the strike
Feet apart, knees flexed and shoulders low

The first thing is accuracy
Can you aim where you want to strike?
Can you strike where you aim?
The harder and faster you strike, the more difficult it is to control the axe and the less accurate you become
So slow and easy
Focus on the point
Feel the center point of your hands as they come together
Feel the angle of the axe head as it strikes

How accurate?
We split matches length ways, and the better of us could light a non-safety match
And that is as Boy Scouts, with no real strength

Once you are accurate, you can power your swing
But not using strength
You almost pull back slightly on your swing to create a faster center of the pivot
Then the chips fly....
 
Great tips here. Proper angle is important - about 45°. Comfortable footing - feet even (not one in front of the other) - comfortable distance for you (depending on axe length - swing). I try and use this technique shown in an axe to grind of chipping out plates.

fig080.jpg


If the cut starts to close up, you need to open it up by chiseling out wood behind one side or both.

 
Great diagrams there Cooper, the U.S. Forestry publication "an ax to grind" is great advice there also, I read it sometime back. Great literiture (if thats how ya spell it!!)
 
The 6 points are the same as I described, though I dont do mine in that order, I have found that I like my order better, but I am sure that everyone has to find their own order/way/routine, etc.
 
The basic principle is that the center cut not be made until after the the top and bottom cuts. That way at least one point of the axe, heel or toe, is always out of the wood. That reduces the chances of the axe getting stuck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top