Fantastic Lane! I 1000% agree. I too prefer ‘em short and quick. Moving from a longer stick with a threefive head to a well hung boys axe, I mean c’mon. Work axe: sustainable progress. Monster felling axes are fun but can wear me out, boys axes are “work axes” to me because they are surprisingly effective, efficient, and you can work! Besides, they’re damn fun.
It seems to be all about finding a personal sweet spot between weight and length! But my suspicions are that maybe a great handle allows a typical user to swing a bit more weight with speed and accuracy. SCIENCE!
I’ve got several “work axes”. 4lb jersey on a 28” for banging wedges and skinning bark, 4.5lb tassie on a 28” for bucking and limbing, and a 5lb Dayton currently on a 30” for splitting. All great at their job.
Legitimus Connie on a 28 thin and whippy handle. If I had to swing one all day and do real work, that would be my choice. The lighter stuff is for 3 season camping and spelunking in the woods.
The "work axe" is definitely a thing. Mine is a 2.3/4lb old HB Dayton on a self made 27inch spotted gum curvy handle. Close runner up would be a 3.5lb hytest. Love these vids, also a lobster nerd
Not sure if this fits your conception of a work axe, but my go to for any long task would be my 3lbs 1947 Sager Chemical double-bit on a 27" charred hickory handle. My 3.3lbs Basque bomber would be a close second.
I think the best term for a axe between 2lb boys axe and a 3.5lb felling axe is 'pulpwood axe', for trees too small to make good timber. Work axe is just far too vague imho
1. Thank goodness you are pulling in an HB "army" axe. That is right where my mind went for the "bigger than but smaller than" category. Practical and pleasant. 2. +10 for notebook snobbery. Pencils too, one can hope. 3. I almost want to resubscribe just to come here for this new series. Or is it a season? (Damn you, BBC!)
The explosion of axe throwing as a sport is probably driving the viewership. In fact, it would be great if you did tutorials on restoring, profiling, sharpening, and finishing axes for throwing.
I am intrigued. Love your break down thus far. However before I proceed to the next vid. Would you consider actually looking at the the different blades styles of the axe? Everything in here is base around a curve blade heavy wedge felling/splitting axe head. Perhaps looking at the true wood carvers axe or the flatbit axe that has no cure in the edge. Just curious if you would.
Work axe? More like FUNCTIONAL AXE. Anyone with any sense that's into axes and uses them shortly realises what an optimal weight/length combination for their personal use. Leave 36" in the past or for the rack.
I guess to me the question "what Is the work axe" is, is it what you use the most or which axe makes you work the most aka which one leaves u huffing and puffing. However all that aside my favorite to use is the longer the handle the better I work . Mine is a 32 inch handle and a 3.5-4lb head that being said if I would have found a 36er I would've put the head on that. but for me being 6 foot (I know thats not really super tall but honestly anything 6' and up tools start being assholes for the back like weedeaters making u slouch or kneel to use) the longer the handle the better I can get a great swing. now I'm looking in the market if I really need a 26" or 19" handle for a camp or should I just save my cash and use my longboy and bring a hatchet aswell for bush craft. I mainly say this because weight savings doesn't bother me I prefer the heft especially if I have to use as protection. I guess i should mention besides 6 foot im 250lbs built like an ape with no belly... so I still have the primitive aspect of I like swinging heavy things while screaming and pooping everywhere hahahah jk 🤪
Can I Axe you a question? ;) When I was 13 we only heated with wood, so I often used chainsaws. axes, malls, sledgehammers etc. I'm 60 now, so I only swing an ax when necessary for my firepit.
Think I found a 1865 quartermasters axe metal detecting and also a shingling hatchet. Need all the axe info I can get on hand sharping and hanging the axe
Lord, you raised your right hand and I thought you were going to slice it!...and dont fall over to your right or backward! You need to put sheaths on those or turn them backward...
Do you have a favorite source for hafts, I have what I believe is a double bit cruiser axe with a 28 in handle which needs to be replaced and I'm having problems finding a replacement.
Miss you, brother. Rewatching some of your old vids.
Work axe for me is an axe that feels great to use usually 3lb on a 28-30 inch thin handle. However it also can't be too pretty to use.
What is this "too pretty to use" you speak of? I know not such a thing lol ;)
MY GRANDPOP WROTE THAT BOOK I HAVE THE ORIGINAL !!!! IM SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS!!
Fantastic Lane! I 1000% agree. I too prefer ‘em short and quick. Moving from a longer stick with a threefive head to a well hung boys axe, I mean c’mon. Work axe: sustainable progress. Monster felling axes are fun but can wear me out, boys axes are “work axes” to me because they are surprisingly effective, efficient, and you can work! Besides, they’re damn fun.
It seems to be all about finding a personal sweet spot between weight and length! But my suspicions are that maybe a great handle allows a typical user to swing a bit more weight with speed and accuracy. SCIENCE!
I’ve got several “work axes”. 4lb jersey on a 28” for banging wedges and skinning bark, 4.5lb tassie on a 28” for bucking and limbing, and a 5lb Dayton currently on a 30” for splitting. All great at their job.
Yay more bits
Legitimus Connie on a 28 thin and whippy handle.
If I had to swing one all day and do real work, that would be my choice.
The lighter stuff is for 3 season camping and spelunking in the woods.
The "work axe" is definitely a thing. Mine is a 2.3/4lb old HB Dayton on a self made 27inch spotted gum curvy handle. Close runner up would be a 3.5lb hytest. Love these vids, also a lobster nerd
Not sure if this fits your conception of a work axe, but my go to for any long task would be my 3lbs 1947 Sager Chemical double-bit on a 27" charred hickory handle. My 3.3lbs Basque bomber would be a close second.
Sweet video Lane. I have 2 work axes. 1: Hytest Craftsman 3pounder on a 28" handle 2: Hytest forged tools 5pounder on a 31" in handle.
You can send that Craftsman 3# up for testing anytime you want :D
@@BushcraftSisyphus haha but will it return.. 🤣 😜
You're on to it. I almost always reach for the 30" jersey w 4.5" bit to do it all.
30 inches seems to be significant!
I think the best term for a axe between 2lb boys axe and a 3.5lb felling axe is 'pulpwood axe', for trees too small to make good timber. Work axe is just far too vague imho
Pulpwood Axe! Good hypothesis!
1. Thank goodness you are pulling in an HB "army" axe. That is right where my mind went for the "bigger than but smaller than" category. Practical and pleasant.
2. +10 for notebook snobbery. Pencils too, one can hope.
3. I almost want to resubscribe just to come here for this new series. Or is it a season? (Damn you, BBC!)
One must record one's observations in a handy notebook otherwise all science will stop 📔📝🔬
Lobsters don't have to be aerodynamic, just hydrodynamic!
🤝👍👍👍
The explosion of axe throwing as a sport is probably driving the viewership. In fact, it would be great if you did tutorials on restoring, profiling, sharpening, and finishing axes for throwing.
What's that? You have more videos about axes? Subscribed!
Hey Lane!!! More axe arena’s!!!
I am intrigued. Love your break down thus far. However before I proceed to the next vid. Would you consider actually looking at the the different blades styles of the axe? Everything in here is base around a curve blade heavy wedge felling/splitting axe head. Perhaps looking at the true wood carvers axe or the flatbit axe that has no cure in the edge. Just curious if you would.
Work axe? More like FUNCTIONAL AXE. Anyone with any sense that's into axes and uses them shortly realises what an optimal weight/length combination for their personal use. Leave 36" in the past or for the rack.
But that would make my 34in DBs technically "disfunctional axes!" 😂 All axes are precious in God's sight, brother 😉
I guess to me the question "what Is the work axe" is, is it what you use the most or which axe makes you work the most aka which one leaves u huffing and puffing. However all that aside my favorite to use is the longer the handle the better I work . Mine is a 32 inch handle and a 3.5-4lb head that being said if I would have found a 36er I would've put the head on that. but for me being 6 foot (I know thats not really super tall but honestly anything 6' and up tools start being assholes for the back like weedeaters making u slouch or kneel to use) the longer the handle the better I can get a great swing. now I'm looking in the market if I really need a 26" or 19" handle for a camp or should I just save my cash and use my longboy and bring a hatchet aswell for bush craft. I mainly say this because weight savings doesn't bother me I prefer the heft especially if I have to use as protection. I guess i should mention besides 6 foot im 250lbs built like an ape with no belly... so I still have the primitive aspect of I like swinging heavy things while screaming and pooping everywhere hahahah jk 🤪
"the Danger Zone" lol. :)
Can I Axe you a question? ;)
When I was 13 we only heated with wood, so I often used chainsaws. axes, malls, sledgehammers etc. I'm 60 now, so I only swing an ax when necessary for my firepit.
Think I found a 1865 quartermasters axe metal detecting and also a shingling hatchet. Need all the axe info I can get on hand sharping and hanging the axe
That's a sweet old axe!
Lord, you raised your right hand and I thought you were going to slice it!...and dont fall over to your right or backward! You need to put sheaths on those or turn them backward...
Do you have a favorite source for hafts, I have what I believe is a double bit cruiser axe with a 28 in handle which needs to be replaced and I'm having problems finding a replacement.
Please go to www.lamacaaxes.com and contact us through the site and we can get you a cruiser handle.
2:09 you're welcome
#axescience