Splitting vs. Chopping Grind

If you think your blade has to reach a high temp to loose its temper your not understanding physics on the micro level.Vibration is also taking temper out of your blade.But on the micro surface heat is taking it away.Remember we are talking about metal molecules connected by magnetism.Molecules loosen from use.I look at everything at the micro level.As I am a small man.When you forge a blade you temporarely take the magnetism from the steel when you heat it up so you can form it to a shape.You have to compress it with a hammer to tighten the molecule up again.Then you quench to draw the molecules even tighter again making it magnetic again.Get a stack of strong magnets stick them together then drop them several times and see if they are still lined up perfectly.This is happening on the micro surface.Vibration is more damaging than heat to the micro surface.Oil provides a cushion and reduces heat at the micro level.Sure it may not be taking temper out of the core but it is the surface every swing.
 
Shawn Bradbury said:
That is how science and physics teacher and bladesmiths explained it to me.
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Then they sorely misled you.
I don't know how much experience you have with axes but I have to assume not much by the claims you are making.
An axe dulling in use is partly a matter of friction. But never in a million swings could you affect the temper of your blade through splitting, falling, limbing or any another use.
Tempering requires MUCH more heat than you can generate through use. Full stop.
It's just silly to claim otherwise. Really silly.
 
Do you have a degree?What evidence disproves my statements?What science do you speak of?Tell me the actual science behind it.I'm not too proud if I am incorrect.I have had university professors tell me this as well and published books.I admit I probably don't chop as much wood as you.I do it for fun.But I have a good understanding of physics.So get me some fact or don't discredit what I say.
 
Shawn,i'm sorry,but that paragraph you posted above contains so many entirely erroneous statements that i'm not sure where to start...I'll quote it below,and try to point a couple out,but really it's up to you to do the "homework";to track down the basics of steel metallurgy and familiarize yourself with them...

Shawn Bradbury said:
Vibration is also taking temper out of your blade.But on the micro surface heat is taking it away.Remember we are talking about metal molecules connected by magnetism.Molecules loosen from use.I look at everything at the micro level.As I am a small man.When you forge a blade you temporarely take the magnetism from the steel when you heat it up so you can form it to a shape.You have to compress it with a hammer to tighten the molecule up again.Then you quench to draw the molecules even tighter again making it magnetic again.Get a stack of strong magnets stick them together then drop them several times and see if they are still lined up perfectly.This is happening on the micro surface.Vibration is more damaging than heat to the micro surface.Oil provides a cushion and reduces heat at the micro level.Sure it may not be taking temper out of the core but it is the surface every swing.
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1."Vibration is also taking temper out of your blade".
Please open Google,and try to find any paper or study that'd mention this.

2."Remember we are talking about metal molecules connected by magnetism".
Metal molecules are Not connected by "magnetism":)...Most metals are not even magnetic...but in any case,just trust me on this...Judging by this,and the next couple sentences i can only conclude that you are confusing some info that relates to the loss of magnetism by steel when it reaches T close to Austenitic...Again,it is something that you can easily Google.

3."You have to compress it with a hammer to tighten the molecule up again".
I must apologise,again,and beg you to accept that it is quite impossible to "compress molecules with a hammer"!:)

All these,Shawn,glaringly fly in the face of physics...If you'd like to read about metallurgy,many here i'm sure can recommend some good basic texts.

And no,the friction of an axe-blade against a log cannot accrue enough temperature to affect it's HT;a number of very sober and experienced people above have told you so,and i agree with them:)...
(i temper axes quite regularly,and it takes a Lot of energy!:).
 
I've accidentally blued an edge by getting it too hot and it was still just as sharp as before. I've also held down an axe who's eye was getting beaten back into shape until my hands were numb and the edge was still just as sharp/dull as when we started. Finally, I've had an axe head get hot to the touch from sanding it and the edge remained just as hard to file as before. Perhaps this article will begin to set you straight: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempering_(metallurgy)
 
Ok you got me.I meant steel.All molecules consist of atoms which consist of protons,electrons,and neutrons.They are held together by ionic bonding which is a form of magnetism.This applies to all elements.Learn about valence shells.Atoms share valence electrons to form a molecule.Sorry I was trying to put things in laymen terms and misspoke.And alot of old school knife makers use a magnet to check if the metal is hot enough.And if vibration and friction didn't affect your blade it would never go dull.Man you guys are harsh.Alot things you do with your blade will affect it or it would stay perfect forever.It doesn't take a high temperature for friction to affect the outer micro layer.Don't oil your axe if you don't want to but my science is not wrong just mispoken.Im glad you called me out on it.Sorry to those I misinformed.And I think you may want to Google some things if you think it's a reliable resource.
 
muleman77 said:
As far as sharpening goes, I dont often on a dedicated splitter. I split a lot on the ground, and strikes are inevitable. There seems to be little improvement in my wood between really sharp and not very sharp at all for splitting. Once it's as dull as a hoe, I touch it up of course. A couple times a year I'd say.

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I do a ton of chopping, and theres a lot of difference in how I set up and maintain those axes.
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I wrap my wood handles with hockey stick tape also. It is a great handle saver.
 
Shawn Bradbury said:
Ok you got me.I meant steel.All molecules consist of atoms which consist of protons,electrons,and neutrons.They are held together by ionic bonding which is a form of magnetism.This applies to all elements.Learn about valence shells.Atoms share valence electrons to form a molecule.Sorry I was trying to put things in laymen terms and misspoke.And alot of old school knife makers use a magnet to check if the metal is hot enough.And if vibration and friction didn't affect your blade it would never go dull.Man you guys are harsh.Alot things you do with your blade will affect it or it would stay perfect forever.It doesn't take a high temperature for friction to affect the outer micro layer.Don't oil your axe if you don't want to but my science is not wrong just mispoken.Im glad you called me out on it.Sorry to those I misinformed.And I think you may want to Google some things if you think it's a reliable resource.
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I'm afraid it's very clear that you don't understand the actual mechanisms at work here. I would suggest spending more time studying fundamental science before making statements with such an air of authority. It's true that it's much easier to overheat the foil-thick apex of an edge than the thicker regions just behind it, and that the bit may feel cool to the touch despite the apex of the edge having been flash-heated above temperatures that have affected the heat treatment, but this is more applicable to the levels of friction experienced in tool grinding than to the friction experienced in use. You're not going to heat the edge, even the apex, to temperatures that damage the heat treatment in normal use, and it's certainly not the primary cause of edge wear. Silica in the wood itself and dirt on the bark are the reasons for that.
 
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