Axes and Beyond
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2016
- A brief description of several hand tools laying around my shop.
Watch Trees fall here • Thoughts on Cutting Wood
Most of these have uses specific to the timber industry of the Pacific Northwest. All of them are neat, useful, and authentic. I don't consider myself a craftsman with most of these tools - however I know enough to be dangerous and have spent a good amount of time using them.
Tools like this can be found all over the place and make great restoration projects. Remove the rust, build or buy a handle, and bring an old tool back to life.
Many thanks for all the nice comments, tips, and feedback. This channel has been a real source of pleasure for me, I'll keep doing my best to entertain.
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90% of what this man talks about has nothing to do with my trades, hvac & electrical work, but he is such an amazing teacher it doesn't even matter.
I am glad you talked about the mushroom edges on the splitting wedge. I had a bad experience using a splitting wedge when a piece came off the wedge and shot into my lift thigh. The doctor thought I had been shot the way it entered my leg. I make I grind the edges of my wedges so this never happens again.
thats why you should use a wooden mallet only on things such as froes or wedges, the mallet takes the beating and your wedge doesnt form a lip to catch.
Yep. I still have a piece of a wedge in my left leg. Actually it was a "maul" head, or as we call them here in the Southeast a "Go-devil" head being used as a wedge struck with a 10lb hammer. Ever since then when I was about 15 years old, I've been somewhat more cautious about striking hardened steel with hardened steel.
Thanks for sharing your experience! The old-time term for that is “dressing” your tool to remove the mushroomed edge. Imagine if that chip had wound up in your eye instead of your leg!
As a 72 year old woodworker who appreciates tools and their functions, this video has taught me much about tools of which I had no knowledge. Thanks very much.
My grandpa had a few early weed eaters. He called it a grass whip. My grandpa passed away in 2012 at age 86 he retired from Western Electric in 1980 after 36 years of service he was in the Navy before that but he wasn't just a good man he was a great man who taught me a lot he taught me how to swing an axe and hit where you were aiming every time when I was 12 but that was after he made me cut down several trees with it and I remember him telling me he thinks he must have a beaver chewing trees down it only took me a few days to figure out he was talking about my not so good axe swinging skills or lack of. I sure miss him a lot but I know I will see him again someday. Thank you for your videos they are very unique and a big thanks to your father and grandfather for teaching you everything you know.
Boy oh boy! Who wouldn't like to spend an afternoon in that pole barn.
True man!! That wire ax beat down was awesome!
I gotta say, I just come back and watch this video every couple of months. It’s just so dang interesting.
The weed whip at 9;40, my Dad always called an "Idiot stick". It was because of the old times where convicts were employed in the mowing of roadside ditches.
I remember using one of those to knock down the weeds on the edge of my grandmother’s farm field about 40 years ago. I mentioned to her that they now made gas powered weed wackers which would make the job a whole lot easier. She was an old school child of the depression- “if you don’t want to use the weed whip than you can hand pull them instead”.
Grandpa called it a yo-yo.
It’s always nice to watch a fellow Christian. Thank you for the video
Thanks Brian!
Essential Craftsman my background is construction/carpentry. Specialized in framing ( with rigging axe ) after 3-4 years in the trade. Always disliked metal work but because of your channel I started stick welding and soon blacksmithing and I love it. You are a very a good teacher and I can watch your videos for hours. I figured as much but was happy to hear that you are Christian. God bless you and thank you for all your videos!
I just discovered your channel. I'm a blacksmith and found your video on your large gas forge. Having grown up on the farm and around many different and ancient tools, I appreciate your approach and commentary. I also very much appreciate your statement of faith. Keep forging!
I can't thank you enough for this particular video. You have brought me back to my own youth.
My Grandfather ( also a Christian man,also a carpenter)He treated me like a young man when he would take me out to the woods to wood and split it I did!
He wouldn't allow me to use the sharp axe. Only the splitting maul.
He was just worried I would Cut off my toes!
Anyway,thank you for bringing me back to my own youth
having a neighbor with an extensive museum full of all kinds of traditional craftsmen tools, I see the value of it for the coming generations.
Every summer I'm high school I worked construction, this guy takes me back ...
Stumbled upon hour channel 2 days ago ...... WHY HAVE I NOT SEEN YOUR VIDS BEFORE NOW!!!!! you should be the bench Mark for all teachers for essential skills in life. Outstanding skills, knowledge, and talent. I'm honestly blown away by this channel. Thank you!!!
Fishers of men! God bless you more sir! I am from the Philippines and I am so blessed by your videos! To God be the glory!
please do a video or re-handleing tools axes hammers ext
Not everyone replaces a handle the way I do.
First, pick a handle with the grain, (lines between soft & hard, Summer quick growth and Winter slow growth), …with the grain running front to back, not side to side or diagonally. You will think I'm full of shit, there ARE no handles with the grain running front to back. You're right. Handles used to be made by Americans who understood tools. Today, handles are made by morons who don't have a clue-but nonetheless-there are 360 degrees in a circle, and an excellent handle being within a range of about 6 degrees, they accidentally make a good handle, (360 ÷6=60),about one out of 60 handles correctly. The grain should be tight, 1/32" apart is better than 1/4" apart.
Make sure the handle is right for the hammer. Note: if the hammer handle is Oval, and the opening in the hammer is rectangular, there is a good chance that you have the wrong handle. Once again, that was what passes as humor. SHEESH! Do I have to explain everything?
You need a wooden wedge, and 1 or 2 metal wedges with teeth. They should come with the handle, but don't forget the, 'morons who know nothing about what they are making building the tools for those who do,' principle. I use wood glue. Saw the old handle close to flush with the hammer, & use a punch to punch out the old handle. You can save/use the wedges from the old handle.
Punch from bottom to top. The wedges spread, so if you try to drive it out from the top, it's like a semi on a bike path. From the bottom, you are driving from the narrow end toward the wider end. Buff the inside with a bit of Emory cloth if you like. I was always in too much of a hurry. Start the handle into the head. Don't start the handle into the top of the head. That passes for humor. Tap it lightly so the handle fills the hole. Pour some wood glue in the top of the hammer head, smear it along the sides. You are not gluing the hammer handle to the head. You are providing filler so the finished handle makes uniform contact with the head. This will minimize the handle loosening later.
Note: if you use your hammer with replaced handle for a couple of years at sea level, then do a job at 10,000 feet, your handle is going to loosen up. Don't worry about it unless your new home is at 10,000 feet. It will tighten up when you go back to your cottage in Santa Cruz.
NOW, drive the handle all the way on the head. Be mindful that it is the right attitude. It could be leaning forward, not 90°, or it could be leaning back. You may decide you want it canted forward or back.
You measured the handle well; it is the right handle for your hammer. Drive it on, and the base of the head may be digging a bit into the handle when it is fully seated. You can trim it with a knife later. The handle is protruding out the top, glue is coming out, wipe it. You are satisfied. Take the handle wood wedge, a little glue, drive it into the sawed curf running from front to back on the head area of the handle. Drive it until the handle tightens in the head. Take a hack saw, and cut the protruding handle at the top of the head. You will scuff up the top of your hammer. You don't care. It is not your $500 stepping out shoes, it's a tool, function over form. You will look at the scratch marks from the hacksaw for the rest of your life. You don't care.
Cut flush with the top of the head, you get the metal wedges. A topic not broached with the wooden wedge, you will also drive the metal wedges, which implies that you own a second hammer. I have over a dozen hammers, not including sledges, single jack & double jack, axes, mauls, etc. Place the metal wedges carefully. Some wedges are narrow, and can be driven perpendicular. Some are wider, and have to be driven diagonally. Finish with a punch, and drive the wedges flush. Consider the width at the widest point.
Once you drive the metal wedges, wipe up any glue with a damp cloth or paper towel. Don't use the hammer for at least 24 hours, preferably a bit longer. (e.g.; fix on Friday, drive nails on Monday). Consider a cake of bees wax, rubbed on the handle, will keep it from slipping from your hand.
If you like this, keep track of me. I will soon begin a channel, and you may get something from what I offer. Best, Tom
Man I love your channel, so much good stuff here, completely dig that family log stamp, cheers to your family. Memories, that weed whacker, my dad taught me how to mow the steep edge of our lot with that, looked as good as it was power mowed, when I complained he got out the real old school scythe with a short handle, no doubt I smiled and prayed for the guy to invent the weed eater . Pulaski super tool, worked as a hot shot, that thing is a real tool. Thank you again, grateful to Ave Canada for pointing me to your channel.
As an Axe collector and appraiser I loved this video...
The undercutter axe was used with the first chainsaws. Early saws with their primitive carburetors could only make horizontal cuts. A series of cuts was made, each a little shallower than the one below. The undercutter was used to chip out the remaining wood to form the mouth.
I love all the old tools!! I am working on restoring a few I got at garage sales.
10 minutes of rapid fire naming of every different type of tool...
"now bear in mind... I'm not an expert on this..."
If you're not an expert... who is?
legit
it's the people who tell you how confident or great they are you have to watch out for, and mostly are full of it. its called the dunning Kruger effect en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
The settlers
Not you, you're just a troll.
@@peterellis5626 You're a troll lol
That wire axe looks like a long day.
I was thinking that looked worse than the monster maul.
I bet the new guy draws that duty!
About 50 years ago, because our tractor was not running I once cut an acre of grass with a scythe. The weeds were kinda like wheat being about 4 feet high.
I love tools, can't live without them.
This guy is underrated.
Loved the story about your family logging brand.
Soooo....muccchhhhh....knowledge. Someone get this man a raise
After almost 5 decades in both a military career and a follow-on career in federal land management involving significant wild land fire fighting, I’ve come to appreciate real quality tools -- particularly those made in America of years past. Your educational video once again proved the value of excellent TH-cam! I found it while researching an original “made in the US” Craftsman axe no. 5037--with its original handle for which I paid only $20.00! Additionally, your video and tool demonstrations make me truly wonder at - and appreciate -- the dedication and hard work of those that built this nation. All the more amazing to watch as I reflect on the thousands and thousands of kids today sitting on their “sixes” playing videos. Bravo-Zulu, amigo....your video is most certainly a job well done!
I didn't realize how much I appreciate my angle grinder until I saw you cut that cable.
I feel like im 4years behind just finding this channel especially this video.. Plumber who loves chopping wood.
One of my favourite and most useful tools is a very old and very large pickaxe. The ground here is clay soil with lots of large rocks, most modern garden tools are essentially useless in this stuff.
The pickaxe was my great grandfathers although we're not sure where he got it from, it looks like something the railways were built with. Still in use, bigger and heavier than anything I've seen for sale today. Many new handles over the years!
These videos are amazing and I always learn something new. What I love about them is that they come from a person that has actual experience of using these tools and knows what he is talking about.
Keep them coming!
Great info on axes. I'll be using the axe knowledge.
The 8lb splitting maul at 4:10 is familiar to me, because my Dad had chronic back pain so he put me in charge of the fireplace and woodpile (teenage chores ... gotta love em). My tools of office were a hand saw, a bow saw, a single blade woodsman axe, a hatchet, lopping shears, an 8lb sledge hammer, and the splitting maul. I grew up calling it "The Whop Axe" though. 😁 I think I called it that because I frequently had to hit it with sledge hammer to finish splitting logs that were still a bit too green to split easily and cleanly. It is usually used in conjunction with steel splitting wedges, for larger logs. We had 4 of them in my house, growing up.
Dad had a chainsaw, but I never felt totally safe with them, so I stuck with my hand tools. Good times.
Still got all my fingers and toes.
Even if your content was not outstanding (and it is), I would subscribe (and did) because of your willingness to honor the Lord. I think it’s wonderful.
Andrew Fuentes that was my favorite part of this video!
your youtube channel is a hidden gem
I am relatively new to your channel, but I love it. You are a natural teacher, and I love the flow of your videos. I could watch and learn from you and Wranglerstar all day. Truly, thank you for providing great content.
Pay it forward!
Hi, I’ve written you in the past about you sharing all your knowledge. I’ve learned something every time I’ve watched your videos. You have a great presentation and explain things well and easy to understand. Thank you.
I was kinda surprised when I realized that my family (dad) has almost every tool you pulled out (mostly just no farming ones, hes a logger :D). People like you and him are treasures for us all. When I read the comments of appreciation from other viewers, it makes me appreciate even more my own upbringing, and the family and father figure I had in my life. He taught me so much and gave me the opportunity to use tools like these and learn the proper techniques and care.
Just wanted to thank you for the channel, and the effort you put into your videos.
Love your family brand. ❤
Thank you.
Your videos are entertaining and you're a great teacher.
back in the old day's those old timers really had ther work cut out for them. makes me think of the time and raw talent it took to get things done. very cool that was a good watch for me .
WOW...Very well done got a good laugh on the comment after cutting the rope never knew of that hammer.
Enjoyed the video. Recognized most of the tools.
Thank you for the name of the "WEED WHIP" (weedeater). I had a need for one just last week when I was not able to mow my lawn because of constant rain for ten days and an old push mower. Although I am now in a wheelchair I spent thousands of hours using a "weed whip" on the farm as a youngster. Evidently they are very difficult to buy new .
I enjoyed watching this video. Brings back memories & I learned a few things as well.
Stay well, Joe Z
Wish I knew how often you check for new or newest comments -- or if the infamous algorhythm notifies you of new comments on old videos.
I wish you had pulled the peavey out of its' corner. It needs an introduction of its' own, plus what they did to make it a woodcutters "timberjack". And also for two other things. One, in the woods, if you fell a tree that gets hung up in another tree or two, the peavey can often be used to roll the hung up tree out of its predicament.
Plus the difference between a peavey and a CANT HOOK. A cant needs defining, and why its not a peavey. And several of the portable sawmill companies need to know that too.
Great video. Thanks.
Wire Axe - I've been around timbering, axes, and working men all my life (UP Michigan), and I have never seen this one before. I love learning from your videos. Thanks.
I really like this guy and would love to meet him someday and the fact that he's Christian makes it even better
The editing is getting much better. Content wise is great as always.
check out my channel for videos like this!
Keep up the videos, I love watching them. I am a shop tinkerer that loves to make things with metal and I love learning things from your vids.
I am a blacksmith and I like to forge all the time my great uncle had a monster maul and he put the handle in a vise and made it almost a oval for better grip without the rubber it is the best for splitting hard wood here in Missouri love all of your videos and love learning from you
Beautiful tools. All which are fully functional. One of these days when you have the free time(ha ha) they would be a goldmine to clean up and restore and hang up in the shop for your grandson to start his wood working career.
Best logging brand EVER!!!!!!!!
How lucky I was to grow up the son of an electrician and learn the happy tingle of electricity flowing through my fingers instead of the cold slice of steel cutting through my boot. Seems like you had the harder growing up.
I restored and mirror polished a double bit for my old boss they are beautiful I hope someday to buy one of my own. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
I grew up using a monster maul. Chopping wood and clearing land builds character.
Just getting into axe restoration and I picked up a couple tools you go over in this video.
Thanks for the great info.
The last pick axe you picked up just after the the baby one I would call a Mattock in the UK, great tool for excavating fairly solid ground and saves having to pick up the spade/shovel so much.
Still got a good swing for that cable.Shows you done work before.
Thanks for showing.
I'm envious of your hand tool collection. I'm also completely agreeable with your assessment of the monster maul. My brother could never hit the block of firewood properly and would always break the handles. The old man got tired of it and so bought one of those monster mauls. I hated it for all the reasons you do. Of course my brother loved it because it made him feel like a man and the old man loved it cause he didn't have any more broken handles. I remember the old wooden maul used to live in an ice cream tub with used motor oil in it. Handle never rotted and was always tight.
what a collection! awesome. man your channel just keeps getting better when I discover these older episodes. thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for all you post on this site. My grandfather was a mill right for Roseburg Lumber and a self taught craftsman. I have most of his tools and have been working with them for years but you have given me new inspiration
Wow you done it again sir. I learned so much with this short video. I have done if these tools that I purchased from yard sales just because the looked cool had no idea they had a specific task. Thanks again.
This video is kicking all kinds of ass. I'm getting into restoring cutting tools, and this is a great primer.
Thank you ...... it’s so nice to hear from someone that knows what there talking about.
In my little town in Tennessee we called the "Weed Whip" a "Lively Lad". And it's great to hear that you and your family know where to go for strength when you need it. Love your videos! Thanks!
I really enjoy your videos I’m 30 hrs old my grandparents raised me and I was around a lot of these tools my parents have since moved on and your videos remind me of my grandfather thank you for clean and knowledgeable content
Enjoyed the discussion/lesson on these tools
Enjoying your videos. Learning some new things each time I watch.
Was kinda amazed this time, I knew what most were for...
Brilliant presentation and your commentary is both pleasant to the ear and informative.
I am so glad to have found your TH-cam. Thank you so much for making these to share with us.
Thank you for preserving all these wonderful tools and memories for us ,you are an educated thoughtfull and abmirable person.Please keep it up.
The ammount of tools you have boggles my mind.
My favorite part was the fish log brand. Would like to say I’ve seen quite a few of your videos and based on your speech and work ethic I have had my suspicions that you were a Christian man for quite some time. Keep up the good work brother! It shows in how you carry yourself and the content you are producing. Excellent channel in every aspect.
I've been watching your channel all evening. Absolutely awesome and very much appreciated content. You are extremely well spoken and knowledgeable. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with us.
Your videos are great! my favorite part of the video was at 3 minutes with the log brand. You remind of my best friends dad. I fixed my landlords high-lift jack after watching your video about them. So many tools so much knowledge. Thank you for sharing.
Keep the videos coming! Very enjoyable to watch and I appreciate your delivery of the subject matter.
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and wisdom. I just came across your videos and am looking forward to viewing them all... God Bless..
Respect your forefathers! They worked harder than you ever will.
You can't forget the firemans pick head seagrave axe!
Thanks for the lesson and the laugh, when cutting the cable your hammer flew off the handle!! Lol love the channel Howdy from Indiana!
Awesome video - i want to come to your shop and spend a few days restoring/cleaning/sharpening/oiling all of your older edge tools. One of my favorite things to do in the whole world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video as I also, grew up in the timber industry and later became a carpenter/contractor. Most of the old tools I have are just kept by me for their memories, and that occasional job.
8 lb. splitting maul and wedges....I used those, at age 16, to split stave bolts. I earned everything I got that summer....food, clothing, a bed to sleep in, an education............actually a great summer working along side my dad!
....13
Pickeroon and the Peavey...most brilliant tools ever invented for wood...I grew up "half assing" firewood collection with family that dabbled enough to heat their homes...what I would have given for knowledge of the great Peavey and pickeroon all those years ago...I live in Maine now, and am the weekend warrior homeowner, and Peavey Manufacturing is right close to the hovel...worth the purchase even for a homeowner. I had Asplundh cut some good sized maples near the power lines, they left behind 4' bolts that I had to move...that pickeroon into the side allowed me to drag 4' x 10" bolts all day long like a bulldozer, and to drag them up into a stack...I felt like a man...a sore man the next day, but given that I am also a fat old man and they were two 30' tall maples...sore was to be expected. LOVE your videos!
Such a sweet video. I smiled the entire time. Thank you all uso much.
Lov seeing these tools. Thankyou
Incredible wealth of knowledge. Very grateful for you sharing your knowledge with people like me looking to learn!
This is the best channel. Keep up the good work.
check out my channel for videos like this!
Very nicely done Scott.
Several years ago I went to an auction in White City. I purchased an anvil. Last night after watching your videos I went out to my shop and took a closer look. It isn't that heavy around #75. No stampings that I could see but below the horn I could see a raised SH but on each side of the SH was another symbol one looked like a backwards 3. I thought it was a goner because of the rust here on the coast in Smith River, apparently not. Good news.
Thanks again !
I love the log brand !
I have a west coast falling ax head that I need to get a 42" handle for.
I HATE monster mauls too !
Excellent vid !
Great stuff! I don't agree about the brush axe. Where I live it was used for a very specific puprose. It was used for harvesting young branches and leaves for animal fodder. The branches where mainly cut from pollarded ash trees. Pollarded means that the top was cut off above browse height so the tree could recover. If you know ash, then you know that the young branches snap quite easily, and a good axe makes for fast progress for this specific task. We don't need the fodder no longer, but we maintain the trees. They are hundreds of years old now, and hollow inside, so they will topple if they are allowed to grow too tall.
Love the old tools , great video!
love the history behind the tools. thanks for doing it
Bless you and your family. Thanks for the great videos
Great video Sir !!! Keep up the work!! God bless you and your family!!!
I always. Learn something interesting whenever i watch your videos and the stories that go along with the teaching make it all a little more interesting. I thought the family branding was pretty awesome as well as the reasons behind it
Your getting alot better at editing, good stuff.