Thread: Axe talk

Originally Posted by rsser

That looks like an interesting title Neil. And could make a good song title.

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Originally Posted by rsser

Also it had copped a solid blow on the toe in handling - enough to cut half an inch length through the sheath.

Inadequate packaging? No doubt you have raised this with the seller. I'm thinking as much about a parcel delivery person losing a toe as the damage to your goodies.

Originally Posted by rsser

Well, it's just taken a few passes on the green crayoned leather belt to restore the edge and maybe I should whack that microbevel on it too.

Ern, consider adding the microbevel to only one side, like you would to a chisel. The adze is another example. Broad axes that do a similar job to the carpenter's axe, but on larger work, can come with just one bevel (left or right). A single microbevel won't provide the same benefit as a single primary bevel, but may help a little with the control on push cuts while minimising the increase in the cutting angle by only adding one microbevel. If you find no benefit or don't like the result, it is easy enough to then add the second microbevel.

And, here is an example of a Scandinavian woodpile in the above song (book):

Wood pile 2.jpg


and, in comparison, one of my very modest efforts...

Wood stack.jpg

A single-sided microbevel sounds like a good idea - thanks. I recall reading Leonard Lee on back bevelling the adze.

Wow, there's a lot of 'warms' in those piles. The Scandi effort is a work of art.

Eeek! A loose CrOxed belt put a burr on the edge.

Not a good look.

Brainfade correction: it would've been left by the microbevel stoning. (I've never used a stone before.)

Ern, as you would know from your Japanese deba knife, when you are sharpening a single bevel blade you raise a burr on the non-bevel side quite quickly. The rule of thumb there is 1 stroke on the non-bevel side to every 10 on the bevel side, but not until you get down to the finer grits. I expect it would be much the same with axes.

Have you gone with a traditional puck stone or diamond plate?

Don't have that much experience with the Deba Neil. Normally just needs a lick of the koba on a honing wheel.

In the bush the axes get touched up with a small combination plate knife sharpener and that raises a burr.

This is just a heads-up about a supplier.

If you've ever tried to source a hickory axe handle in Oz you'll know it's not easy. You might be lucky and find the length you need.

I'm in dispute with Australian Chainsaw Products about a 'racing axe' handle replacement. The one they sent is bowed and has a spiral down the bottom half. It was also damp. They refuse to accept it's defective and provide a refund.

Exhibits 1 and 2:

Handle 4.jpgHandle 3.jpg

Originally Posted by rsser

I'm in dispute with Australian Chainsaw Products about a 'racing axe' handle replacement. The one they sent is bowed and has a spiral down the bottom half. It was also damp. They refuse to accept it's defective and provide a refund.

Looks like they have sent you a handle for a side axe by mistake.

eg.

http://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/im...903eb01ba3.jpg



Stay sharp!

Neil

PS - the handle on a Cyclone axe that I purchased last year was so green that it became lose within a day of use.

When I returned it to M10 the staff member said, "what do you expect?". I replied, better than this and demanded a replacement. I'm a long term account holder so they acquiesced and the replacement hasn't budged.

Manufacturers of consumer tools no longer go to the extra cost of fully seasoning handles. But, I would expect better from a specialist supplier.

Stay sharp!

Neil

Maybe if I let it rest some more Neil I'll be able to cut round corners.

Anyway, I've bought direct from a US maker before and have done so again now.

Ern

Your curved racing axe brought back some nostalgic memories from the time around 2001 when I supplied Spotted Gum to Hely Bros in Newcastle.

At the time they were Australia's largest suppliers of tool handles. Michael Hely gave me the handle below. They usually made their racing handles from Hickory, but this one is in fact Spotted Gum. It has been out in the weather and as you can see it has a very agricultural block splitter hanging off it and a distinct curve: Fifteen years in the weather has not done it any favours and it did start out life as a "second." .

However the point is that for their racing axes they had a ribbed handle, which they achieved by running the lathe at a slower speed (the travel was still the same) with the object of retaining better grip.

Racing Axe 001.jpgRacing Axe 002.jpgRacing Axe 004.jpgRacing Axe 003.jpg

Regards
Paul

Looks like you got your money's worth out of that one Paul ;-)

I get the logic of ribs.

It helps to have a rough knob to a handspan above it as your non-dominant hand doesn't move from there while the dominant hand slides down the belly during the stoke. Ribs there just interfere. On mine they run half the length.

Well this haft has continued to bow and is 8mm asymmetrical now. I escalated the dispute to PayPal who have approved a refund. It wasn't the money, it was the attempted snow job: it was inspected before shipping and there was no bow (and it was then wrapped in plastic); the wrong address was put on at my request ?! *! #

The planets aren't aligning well for my online purchases!

In an order from the US the House handle company got one handle order out of two wrong. 28" instead of 30".

And after a good deal of looking for a small general purpose axe with a hardened poll, I rejected the Wetterlings Bushman Axe as there's years of reports of edge failure and poor haft fitting with that brand. Warranty responses have been fine but when you have to send it back overseas .... So I choose the new Council Tools Pack Axe, one of their premium lines. The fit and finish are very good, 5160 steel etc, but a couple of minutes chipping away at a 20mm pine board yielded the result you can see in the photos. The Husqvarna did better with a more acute angle (and it's toe was chipped in shipping) Dammit.

Council Pack Axe 19 inch.jpgCouncil Pack Axe 19 inch 2.jpg

On the bright side, Ern, you have now had your quota of three in a row from that hex.

Unfortunately, overseas purchasing is unavoidable for us here in Australia once you get into a specialist area.

Recently I have had to use refund arbitration on a number of items that I have purchased via PayPal. All have gone my way. As you say, it is not so much the money but the inconvenience. And, hopefully, by escalating your grievance it will encourage sellers to lift their game.


Stay sharp!

Neil