I've been reading some of the more recent posts, and I thought I would ask the question "Why do we need axes?". (Puts on flame suit) Ok, ready to go now. I mean, when we (humans) began our evolution, we started with rocks, bashing them into things, breaking things, etc. When we found the knife (I consider the first tool man ever had), we began to cut things, first with stone, then bronze, iron, steel, OU812 super steel, and so on. We changed our perspective on how our edged toys should behave. Heavy sharp objects became axes, small light sharp objects became knives, long sharp objects became swords,blah,blah, blah. You get the point. So here it is:
Is the design of the Axe outdated?
Heavy sharp cuts deep, but requires more energy to swing. Its basic physics, weight + velocity= force/impact. Basic I know. So the harder we swing an axe, the faster it goes, the deeper the blade bites. The fatigue factor is great on an axe, it wears you down faster than something lighter would, in order to keep that deep bite going. So you build muscle, and endurance, you become lumberjack.
Would a lighter, better design work as good?
Physics says weight+velocity=impact, but what about resistance? Not so basic anymore. The thick wedge design fights against the blade as it drives in on an axe. More resistance and more force being driven at a wider angle as the steel splits the wood, slows it down. Now how about a thinner blade with less surface area, less angle, lighter so high speeds can be achieved and maintained longer, bite is as deep or deeper than an axe head. Enter the machete. Biggest problem? The axe head is designed to take the abuse with sheer volume, big and heavy. Machete, lighter and thinner, lacks the toughness of the axe head and wears out faster.
What about a new design, a hybrid, what would we call it? How about Machax? (Sorry, I'm a Beckerhead). Seriously, a forward weighted, angled blade, with a thicker profile than a machete, not as thick as an axe, long enough to give you leverage and mechanical advantage, should be better at chopping than either, or worse than both?
With all of our advances in engineering and metallurgy, such a tool can be realized easily. This tool is not meant for the professional logger, no, they use motor powered saws, and huge vehicles now. Lumberjacks walk into the woods now with chainsaws over their shoulders, not axes. This tool is for the outdoorsman/women. Not the ones felling MASSIVE trees for paper and IKEA furniture, but chopping wood for the fire, making things and clearing our way.
There have certainly been advancements made to change the axe head design, wider blades, differencial treating, different angles and so on. Chainsaws require fuel, so do axes and so do machetes, and so would this new wonder tool (Machax, YEA!), but we may get better mileage on some more than others.
I posted this in an effort to spark an interesting discussion, not a flame war or arguement. Also, I was bored and thinking, never a good thing, lol. SO, whats your thoughts on this matter. Moose
