Hot Topics: Improving Your Axe
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Invented about 5.5 million years ago the axe took a great leap forward when someone invented the axe handle around 6000 BC. Since then, improvements have been slow, so if you’ve got a lot of wood to chop, particularly if you’re splitting logs, maybe this radical, half winged new design could be your answer. The Forum weighs in. (Regardless of the axe, love the tire.)
Original Post: New Axe Design
ray2047 Forum Topic Moderator
New axe design.
Physics-exploiting axe splits wood in record time | News | Geek.com
Highlights from the Thread
PJmax Forum Topic Moderator
Whaddya think Ray... really dry wood? Pretty cool idea... a little pricey at almost $300.
I like the tire idea though. I use a maul and am used to chasing my wood around the backyard. This way I build up lower and upper body strength.
ray2047 Forum Topic Moderator
But you have to turn all the logs on a lathe first so they fit the tire.
lawrosa Super Moderator
The axe edge has a wedge built in. And the other end has a stop so the axe don’t go in the wood all the way and get stuck. Also goes in at an angle and wedges the wood as it cuts...
I would buy one...
marksr Forum Topic Moderator
...or have a wide range of tire sizes to fit the different sections of the tree.
Personally I wouldn't split firewood into chunks that small. It will burn up too fast. Once the fire is going good I like to stuff some fat logs in the stove and forget about it. While splitting wood inside the tire looks neat I suspect it's more hassle than it's worth. I'd like to see some of my firewood split that quick before I'd be sold on the design - I think it's more the wood than the ax.
Norm201 Member
A relative of mine who lives overseas saw this and was ready to buy it. However, after investigating here is his quote.
"I actually looked at this last week and looked to buy it. According to Popular Mechanics review, it works well for Scandinavian wood... straight grained, birch, beech, pine... not so good on oak, maple etc. So I think I will pass unless we live where I can get a steady supply of straight grained wood."
You be the judge.
chandler Forum Topic Moderator
Next video, please... trying this thing out on sweetgum.
marksr Forum Topic Moderator
Actually, gum tree splits ok if you split it immediately after cutting it down, stop and eat lunch - then the fun begins.
lawrosa Super Moderator
@ the 3:20 mark it looks like a white oak to me...
crackerjack222 Member
I would like to see him do that on mesquite......
lawrosa Super Moderator
I’m sold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wildbill7145 Member
The wood that guy's cutting looks like it would split if you frowned at it.
Just curious but wouldn't the torquing of the handle wrench your wrist a little upon impact?
I wonder why the Finnish appear to be in the lead in terms of making axes. Up here in Canada it appears that Fiskars axes are the best you can get at most retail outlets.
Norm201 Member
I like tire idea for securing the log. I never would've thought of that.
landfillwizard Member
I have some hard maple that has grown out in the open that the grain is so twisted you can almost screw it into the ground. I also have seasoned black locust, elm and beech that even a wood splitter stalled out on. That wood looks almost like cotton wood. I can split that with an axe without any problems. If you know how to split wood with an axe you know just as the axe strikes the wood you twist the handle slightly to keep the head from sticking in the wood.
lawrosa Super Moderator
I also have seasoned black locust, elm and beech.
Well here is elm...
guy48065 Member
I hate hitting a knot and the axe head twists in my hands. I don't think I would like an axe DESIGNED to rotate in my hands.
I WILL try the tire idea though.
wildbill7145 Member
Since I've seen it, I've thought about trying the tire idea. However, I haven't ever noticed any split wood flying all over the place that much.
I usually just keep chopping until I have enough of a pile around my block to make it worth taking a break and loading the split wood into the wheelbarrow for a trip to the pile near the house.... Repeat.
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