Due to this broad definition, many axe heads can come in the form of a hatchet. The hatchet is simply an axe which is meant to be swung with one hand. This allows for a flatter beam to be made but also means the tool is dedicated as a left or right handed tool. These axes often come with a single bevel, which mean one side of its head is flat while the other has an angle. The main use of such an axe is to cut logs down into beams or, more simply, make the rounded sides of a log flat. They have a longer cutting edge from toe to heel, sharp edge, and thin head. The length of the heft often depends on the overall desired use of the tool and is usually shorter and thinner.īroad axes are just that: broader than other types of axes. The head of a carpenter axe will have a large beard which allows the user to choke-up and use it as a precision carving instrument. Like a felling axe, this type will have a sharp cutting edge and narrow head however, it will be lighter for better accuracy and precision. Wedges are useful for larger logs which cannot be split with a maul alone.Ĭarpenter axes are a special axe prized for their precision. This aids in the ability of sinking extra wedges into a log. Splitting mauls will often have a large poll or butt that can double as a hammer. This is why a slightly heavier weight is more important than an extremely sharp edge. By working with the grain, the wide head of the maul forces apart the wood along its layers rather than cutting it. The shape of the splitting maul makes for less of a cutting tool and more of a tool used to take advantage of the wood’s weakness. Its primary use is for the splitting of logs along their grain. This type of axe has a heavy and wide head, along with a duller edge and long heft. The type chosen often comes down to personal preference. The advantage of a double bitted axe comes in the fact that each bit can be maintained at a different sharpness and bevel, reducing the amount of axes that need to be taken into the woods. This often results in greater force when hitting its target, resulting in a deeper cut. The single bit axe will be of a lighter weight, which means it can be swung faster and more accurately. Many sub-types of this axe exist, most notably the American felling axe pictured above.įelling axes often come in single or double bitted versions, each with its own advantages. It also has a longer haft to increase the speed of the head when being swung. This allows the axe to cut against the grain of wood more efficiently, allowing it to cut down or “fell” standing trees. It has a very sharp edge, a narrow head, and medium weight. This is the tool most people would picture in their head if asked to think of an axe and is what Paul Bunyan carried over his shoulder. Some of these parts have basic, intuitive names, others, not so much. The diagram below shows an axe with its parts labeled. Like any other tool or instrument, gaining a deeper understanding of it requires knowing the parts. Despite its deep and rich history, most people have lost touch with this amazing tool, so I’d like to cover some axe basics. In fact, Williamsport, a town near us here in central Pennsylvania, is said to have had the highest concentration of millionaires in the world at one point, all thanks to Pennsylvania’s early logging industry. ![]() ![]() It created economic booms and millionaires. Despite its simplicity, it has helped build nations and sometimes conquer others. ![]() At its simplest form, it’s a wedge set atop a lever or handle, so it can be swung with force to push apart wood or other materials. The axe is one of the simplest, yet most essential types of tools.
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