Left/Right

For the symmetrical axes, does it matter? I always thought for the carpentry and hewing axes, a right handed axe had the chisel grind on the right side and a left handed axe had the chisel grind on the left side?
 
KingKoma said:
Holding it out in front of me, edge down: Left side is left?
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That's how I see it.

So in your picture, Ernest, I'd say we're looking at the right side of the axe. I get confused with broad axes. It seems many right handers prefer the bevel on the left side and hew with the right hand forward. I'm a right hander and I'm just the opposite. I want the bevel on the right side and the left hand forward.
 
The axe in my picture has stamped on there that it is made in the UK.
Though the response was not wide my impression is there is consensus on how to distinguish left from right side, which is pretty interesting.
In fact, I wonder if even the double-bitted has left and right distinctions given that a lot seem to sharpen the two bits in separate ways.

Over usage is a different matter then, right. Sticking to the rule, it doesn't matter which side is flat and which is beveled on side axes there is still an unchanging right and left side. Only after that is it a question of which one is beveled or flat. I am left handed, I want the flat on the right side of the axe, when I lay it down there, the cutting edge points left, and the work to my right, my right hand up high and left hand down low. This stance will allow me to maintain a posture at relatively right angles to the work, otherwise you get a bit skewed all around. I really like to do hewing, very satisfying work.

E.DB.
 
It sounds like your hewing stance is the same as mine only reversed because you're left handed.
 
My right side being next to the work grasping high with my right hand, so I'm not reaching across my body. Can you get the picture I am trying to paint? Keeping the shoulders square to the work.

E.DB.
 
Ernest DuBois said:
The axe in my picture has stamped on there that it is made in the UK.

E.DB.
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Thats interesting. I have the impression that the germans really favour that symmetrically flared bit but from what I have seen the british used to have a really underrated axe production.
 
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