Worked for a man, Mervyn Lentz, as a faller. He was World Champion Logger his axes were amazing he would spend days using dykem blue and polish the high spots out of an axe so it would not stick in the cut and would produce smooth and beautiful cuts. Mervyn was a excellent friend and a professional faller. He passed in 2005. He was a man worth knowing and better to have as a friend.
Apparently he didn't, tree got hung up and in a real situation, just created more work for himself. Pretty shitty to fell what appeared to be a living tree and then just walk away because he cocked it up.
I do swing a race axe and it really helps when you have good accuracy as you only have to swing your axe one third the amount of times but it’s still a hell of a workout chopping through a 12 inch log in under 30 seconds
I need to sit on a manlier couch to swing that axe. Maybe a Filson flannel lined couch with dual alternators held on by bolts with Loctite and a Badland APEX winch to pull the fridge closer to me.
The unique shape that you're unsure of is for no other reason than having more axe face to strike the wood with... I grew up with an axe like this down in Tasmania Australia that was handed down three generations beginning with my great great grandfather who was a world champion axeman.
Just normal guys . I built many miles of rail fences and gates as a kid .similar sized logs . .all with a axe . Age 12 to 19 .today I'd have a heart attack in half an hr
My grandpa was a carpenter that fell his own trees, and built a few cabins and boats in his day. He wasn't built like Arnold Schwarzenegger by any means, but his forearms were gigantic, and he could crack a Brazil nut with his bare hand.
The size of chips that thing was throwing... Wow, that over-the-shoulder camera angle really made that thing look like a monster. I put a rather ridiculous edge on a cheap hardware store axe I got a long time ago after watching your filing video, It'll shave better than a straight razor. Only problem is, I've had nothing to use it on.
You should take a look what the professional competitors do with it. The standing block which somewhat simulates cutting down a tree is chopping through 12-14 inches of white pine. The record is a bit over 11 seconds.
Swinging that axe takes some big tremendicles. Seriously though, real nice video. I guess it makes sense that in a contest you don't care about "energy efficiency" for the "average person." You just want the sharpest, biggest and best axe an athlete can swing at peak output. For the people complaining about how to say the name (most Germans don't care that much other than getting a chuckle) here's how, close as an english accent will get: OCK (as in OCtober) SEN (as in SENator) KOPF (as in COP with an F at the end) Done. (shift both the Os just a little more to a long Oh sound rather than an Ah sound and it'll be perfect.)
It’s a fantastic new word! I love it. This is exactly how language evolves from “UG” to Latin “ the language the Aristocratics won’t let die even though it’s terminal”
I can share some insight into the history of competitive chopping. My great great great (great?) Grandfather challenged a tree feller by the name of Biggs from Mainland Australia that he could fall a tree faster and so was born the sport of competitive chopping in Australia. The prize from memory was only a matter of shillings or 1500 split palings. This challenge was recognised as being of great importance to the sport and a plaque was erected in the early 70s. The World Championships were held in my hometown of Ulverstone in 1974. Also the shape of the head is typical Australian shape, but yours is an athletes style being wider in the face and heavier. The story goes that my relative fell his tree first and propped his shoulder under the board that Mr Biggs was standing on.
You should really get you hands on a Tuatahi camp axe and put your own handle on it. Because the handle that comes with it is really short at 23" for a 3.5lb axe head. Probably the best axe being made today in my opinion. A true work of art.
As a 47 year old man I am embarrassed to say I know very little about Axes or Cutting but thankfully I have found your channel and boy am I catching up fast. The World of Axes and Tree Cutting is a must for anyone who has decided to turn left instead of right and head down a road to the unseen, thanks for your Lore and handling of the Content nothing is wasted here its pure knowledge at its finest.
i do find it interesting to note that the shape of that axe head, and the handle for that matter, very closely resembles how axe's were drawn way back when. makes me wonder if the "professional race axe" is just how they used to be made way back when in a certain part of the world with the intention of use on certain breeds of trees. the design makes sense in my mind for what i would want out of an axe. enough blade length to prevent it from sinking to the point of getting stuck. sharp enough to get a good cut. hard enough to stand up to good hardwoods. heavy enough to ensure an adequate cut. definitely some interesting thoughts to ponder on.
That’s quite an axe. The chips are huge. I assume you’ll return to drop that tree to the forrest floor? (Chainsaw) i’ve been enjoying the short videos but I’ve got to say, I know you’re very busy with the new Homestead these days, but I miss the longer videos. Be well!
This is my first Wranglestar video I've watched in years. Coming from someone that is close my size and has used an axe before, this is a review I trust. Now I just want to know how you compare it to your beloved GB. It would be cool if they made a smaller race axe.
There are two GIANT safety violations in this video, in my opinion. *First:* never leave the axe stuck in the "chop-cavity" while manipulating the tree to fall: the axe may fall on your feet, or it may even get launched in any direction. *Second:* standing directly behind a stuck tree is even more dangerous than standing directly underneath it. With a tree of this size bent like that, there is A LOT of kinetic energy stored in the system. If that energy is released at the chopping side, the tree could get launched in the direction of the narrator instantly, like a giant crossbow bolt, and there will be no time to react whatsoever. Not a safe place to sit down and talk! Very interesting video though! Please stay safe when working in the woods :-)
Considering he’s been a professional feller for years and was raised learning how to fell with an ax I’m fairly certain these are things he knows in spades
South Texas "third coast" viewer here. I really enjoy your videos Cody, keep up the good work! I was excited when the tree got hung up thinking you were going to talk about, teach, and take care of the widow maker on camera. Maybe next time.
Noticed a few folks were concerned about leaving the widow maker. I was also concerned about pushing the tree over by hand. Good thing it didn’t barber chair or kick back, that may have been the end of Wranglerstar.
@@dannykrise9721 Apparently you have not spent much time in the woods if that worries you in the least. To many fibers for it to do anything but go the way he was pushing. That is far far from a Widow maker.
I've pushed plenty of trees over myself. That didn't bother me at all. How low the back cut was in comparison to the undercut now? That was a bit concerning!
i was wonding if anyone was gonna say something bout leaving that tree.. im literally starting at the screen like come on please don't tell me you're just gonna leave that tree there.. bring in a truck or a backhoe. Something atleast to wrap a chain around an yank it/roll it off of there
The opening of this video is what made me fall in love with the channel years ago, I will need to bad and watch them again, I miss old wranglerstar style
I love lumberjack competitions. I never knew what one of these axes cost before, but they all use this style. Those monstrous gentlemen can make a log look like balsa wood with one.
6’-5” and winner of multiple end of day Renn Faire bell ringing competitions (and suburban hand held log splitter) I think this MIGHT be right up my alley (if it wasn’t $500 that is) it looks sweet and seems extremely well balanced
This ax looks great. Thanks for sharing. What I really want to see is Mrs.W pantry. I believe that a tour of her organization and storage ideas are over due.
Then there are a bunch of shapes and grinds for different wood, I once saw an antique axe manufacturer's catalog from back when axes were a primary professional tool [pre 1900] and there must have been 20+ heads and 10-15 handles.(mix and match) not just about being sharp, a thin blade like a machete will give max penetration; you want max penetration that won't get stuck and causes the chips to pop up in the particular type of wood. 4-5lb isn't all that heavy, a lot of comp guys are swinging 6-7 pound. as a 140lb 14 year old I would swing an 8lb splitting maul for hours. Pro tip, get a 16lb hammer and use it just often enough to be accustomed to the momentum, then all the axes will feel nimble.
@@lukasking2573 Its always weight of the head, same for hammers. Although that brings to mind handles made of hickory verse ash and standard vs reduced thickness axe handles. (And even the various fiberglass designs.) Hickory is a bit stronger than ash but ash is lighter and has a just bit more flex/spring. I like ash for lighter tools up to a medium axe, and hickory or fiberglass for the robust stuff like mauls, picks, shovels. Fiberglass is case by case, some are great and some are very poor.
Absolutely beautiful and superbly performing ax. Thanks for showing it off because this about as close as I will ever come to a $500 ax. A super sharp blade can certainly shorten the life of a sheath but damaged straight out of the box probably is a sign of how sharp the ax is but more so how poorly the sheath was done, something wrong with the installation of the bolster or the bolster leather is too soft. I had bought an inexpensive toolbox knife where the sheath bolster was actually made of some sort of poly foam. Once I got the knife to the level of sharpness I wanted that bolster didn't last long. I had to pull the sheath apart and restitch in a proper hard leather bolster.
I'd assume the fellers axe would win since it's what Cody's used to and he can swing those no problem. Put the racing axe in the hands of a body builder or a well built lumber jack and it would take the lead.
Are you CRAZY!!!?? On 5:29 you are standing in front of a tree that is going to CUT YOU IN HALF if it breaks!!!!!! In this position it is like a SPRING full of potential energy!!!
I’d love to see a review on a Tuatahi work axe. They’re in New Zealand. Tuatahi makes racing axes, as well as some really cool racing saws and work saws. God bless👍🏻
I own a comparable racing hammer from New Zealand. It’s a Tuatahi. I bought the working axe type designed to split frozen wood. I ordered it with the “wings” cut out and a gorgeous leather blade protector. It is an axe I’m proud to own. They sell for $600+ now.
7:20 wow! that bear in the background over his left shoulder, looked absolutely pissed at him! Be careful out there Cody stealing his huckleberries! Good thing you got that $500 speedy Axe, they recognize good German engineering and turn the other way! They don't mind those little Harbor Freight toys though! lol
I've competed in timbersports before and these type of axes are absolutely terrifying because of the weight and sharpness, I once witnessed somebody brush a chip off the blade and cut the tendons in 3 fingers
@@Lucky0wl oh I know I used to cut my own firewood. But their making a road then they will use dozers. Yeah after yrs of cutting firewood I discovered propane !! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Don’t worry. If you know Wranglerstar, he finished it off with his chainsaw, stacked neatly into stacks of firewood. We just didn’t see it since seeing that wasn’t actually the point of the whole video.
Boy you’re way more than a professional homeowner 😂 sounds good tho. You’re the man and truthfully honest on everything good or bad. Thank you for the videos I been watching since the beginning. Much respect man.
Yup, right across a public walking path where kids will be climbing on it and people will be standing underneath it. You guys and your "widowmaker" comments. He explained that a company is coming in to clear that area for a road at the beginning of the video.
People like you are the ones I would love to see chop a tree down with any means desired. Hence the “public or pubic education comment”. You’re probably unable too while eating Cheetos on the working mans dime
I would like to get this axe for some bucking on medium- big logs in the woods. Trying to avoid knots in the wood. But how high is the possibility that I am going to ruin the thin egde if I get on some hardwood? What is the grind Angel on the axe 20 degree 17?
great advice. but also shouldn't be leaving hang ups because they are hazards for fallers and hikers an fire fighters. always clear your path trails and roads
Thank you Cody for these videos. I've actually always wondered what made a competition axe so much different than a typical felling axe. Would you mind reviewing your toolbelt and let us know where you got it?
Reminds me of the splitting maul I inherited from my grandfather... He made it in the machine shop where he worked in the 70s. It's solid steel pipe welded to a 22lb machined wedge. You can absolutely blast two foot logs directly down the middle with a single swing. You also take a lot of breaks and drink a lot of water.
Theres no such thing as "solid steel pipe" its a steel rod....and if he did it right its spring steel. I have 2 small sledge hammers i used torsion bars to make a handle for, the spring steel almost completely eliminated the vibration expected from using a steel handle and turned a 4lb sledge into a 10lb with a 20"ish long handle
Found your channel through the algorithm a few weeks back and good God, it’s safe to say I want a bunch of stuff I don’t need 😂 Awesome channel man 👍🏼 This axe is gorgeous
WARNING: Some trees are deceptive how they grow in terms of weight distribution. You can't judge the direction you want to fell the tree just by a lite breeze although the tree in this video didn't look to have that false leaning direction I'm talking about. A tree may seek light and grow in a certain direction but as it gets taller the predominate wind may cause it to lean the opposite direction. Some trees lean a certain direction at the base but a ways up that direction changes. The weight distribution of the tree is opposite of the way it appears. Many have tried to fell the tree in a certain direction and the tree tries to fall that way but it can't. The trunk area falls the direction you chose but above that the tree breaks several feet above the cutter sending the tree straight down on the cutter. Many have lost their lives that way and other ways or an armature will land a tree on their child or a friend because it didn't fall the intended direction. I would not recommend that inexperienced people drop trees and especially those that are large. One thing about a tree is they fall the direction of your cut every time. This doesn't mean it falls the intended direction wherein lies the problem. I believe it's the responsibility of the person posting the felling of a tree to disclose the dangers and much more information about how it's done. If you don't know then demonstrate an ax on a previously fallen tree. Cody is a busy man however I'd advise him to give videos that could cause harm more thought and consideration before he constructs the content of such a video. Be Safe my friends and forget logic when it comes to dangerous jobs. Cutting down trees is one of the most dangerous jobs in America and would imagine this is universal throughout the world. NOTE: My comment doesn't scratch the surface of how to cut down trees accurately or safely. I speak only of one aspect; in other words my comment encompasses nothing it only address one problem a cutter may face. Nothing like having your saw buck and jump up removing a chuck of your brain in a NANO second. Also one needs to consider how to swing an ax; many a person has suffered deep cuts that caused them their life. So much....more to know.
As far as I can tell, the differences are a broader blade and a long, aggressively angled handle at the bottom for underhand chopping. (There's an event where they stand on top of logs and chop downward.)
@@carloshathcock5518 yea as a public school alum myself im not sticking up for them but i think the creation and use of tremendicle is more on his brain
Public schools in the west are worser" hahaha But seriously though. I met a guy from Boston and when he came down west when he was 16 he said he learned the stuff that was being taught here when he was 10. Just what a shame. And its more sad how whenever you get older and a kid hands you their homework to help them with , you look at it like when the fuxk did they teach this. Its just so dumbed down every year
Competition cutters are generally made of a softer metal then most axes, that’s why very specific cuts of wood are used when competing as not to damage the axe. But it’s your money do as you please.
5lbs is big for a modern axe for sure, but some of the old English pattern felling axes (such as those made by Elwell) were up to 7lbs, and I've seen old French axes which are even bigger. The woodsmen who swung those things around everyday must have had upper bodies like gorillas.
I dont know where he got his information from lol most competition axes are 8 lbs. I use a 4.5 lb axe almost every day as a wood processor and professional woodsman my mauls and hammers are 8 lbs so i can however say with them as a reference that i wouldnt want to daily use an 8 lb axe
Nah is he is a professional homeowner, a homesteader if you may. Could also be because of the heavy head, as I have seen his other videos with lighter axe heads and his cuts were far more consistent.
On the competition videos I've seen, the cute from side to side much more so you get chunks out with every hit and don't get stuck. Also they grab it near the head to get it back up... I' hope you'll try again!
Am I the only person with concerns about a role model (Desired or otherwise) standing on the back-side of a hung up tree like that? And also not commenting on the importance of finishing that drop, not just leaving it hung up like that.
You should come up to the deming log show east of Bellingham. Second full weekend of June every year. You’ll see how these axes are truly used in a competition setting. You need more of a downward swing to utilize the axe fully
One of my friends represents Australia in the Stihl timbers ports and has won many world titles, he is known for using a much bigger axe than other Competitors.
Yep, if you can swing it till it is down you done good. But nothing like the footwear of choice the dunloop volleys... and some of the young foke now wear mesh socks. Though cutting the tree 2 boards up that is a balancing act.
6:09. I've seen a "leaf" spring......and I've seen a "water" spring...Heck Moses even made a "Rock" spring .......🎶but I bee done seeeen bout everythinggg....when I see a "HIC-KOR-RY SPRING"🎶 Must be those "WEST COAST" Hickory's that move like that??
G’day Cody Down here in Australia 🇦🇺 we consider a 4 1/2 pound Tasmanian pattern the norm. Would love to see you do a video on the Tasmanian pattern axe 🪓. Great content as usual. Cheers 🍻
My grandfather cut wood with axe and horses in Northern Maine. He weighed about 150 and I heard few could keep up to him. Dad said when Grandad hung an axe, he needed to be able to shake the axe back and forth and feel the handle flex like Cody described.
I'm a competing axeman from Australia. Over hear that axe would be put in the sh*t pile. Dodgy handle, thick bevel (would run 14° on pine), would probably do with a banana grind, needs a good rubbing with a Norton. Still appreciate the content but there is a crazy amount of science to our competition axes and I hope an axeman who lives near to you allows you to have a go with a better axe on some comp grade wood. (Still don't believe the axes will be as good, we are the best for a reason ;). Goodluck, stay safe and thanks for the content mate!
Worked for a man, Mervyn Lentz, as a faller. He was World Champion Logger his axes were amazing he would spend days using dykem blue and polish the high spots out of an axe so it would not stick in the cut and would produce smooth and beautiful cuts. Mervyn was a excellent friend and a professional faller. He passed in 2005. He was a man worth knowing and better to have as a friend.
im sorry you lost him , seemed like a very likeable person
Thank you for sharing. Sorry for your loss. RIP Big Merv
Sounds like a great man & a cherished friend. Your lucky to find folks like that once in a lifetime.
Rip to tha homie😔
You should write about him. Your single paragraph paints an image of your friend in every one who reads its mind. Share more.
"This is about all the work I'm willing to do today."
A smart man knows his limits.
Me at work
A man that can afford having limits
@@jazkoming if you work hard now you can be like him and not have to work as hard later on,
I'm stupid, and I learned that lesson two weeks too late.
Apparently he didn't, tree got hung up and in a real situation, just created more work for himself. Pretty shitty to fell what appeared to be a living tree and then just walk away because he cocked it up.
Imagine being a nice tree and all of a sudden you hear “This is a nice candidate”
What about all the trees that heard him say "they're going to build a road through here!" lol
I was thinking exactly that!
Imagine be the tree near that and suddenly the human says timber and your tree friend rest next to you
Imagine being a tree and all of the sudden you hear “Well, this one is good for NOTHING”.
Underrated comment here
This makes you realize how much of a beast those guys on the Stihl games are. They swing axes like this around like he swings his little Swedish ones
I just started watching those the past couple years, honestly the only sport I really enjoy watching haha
@@UraniumReaperActual wait till you see curling. The real man's sport.
True, and it makes my shoulders hurt just watching it!
I do swing a race axe and it really helps when you have good accuracy as you only have to swing your axe one third the amount of times but it’s still a hell of a workout chopping through a 12 inch log in under 30 seconds
They builded a tremendical axe!
scrumtrillescent
absofruitly
Mmm, lubricitous.
I have that same axe. I bought it from Bailies not amazon. I was searching for a racing axe.
absolutently!
What do you do for a living?
"I'm an axe athlete."
An ex-athlete?
"No, an AXE athlete!"
An Axethele… I’ll see myself out
AXELETE
I need to sit on a manlier couch to swing that axe. Maybe a Filson flannel lined couch with dual alternators held on by bolts with Loctite and a Badland APEX winch to pull the fridge closer to me.
😂😂
Lol
WINNER!!! 🏆
Golden comment!
Well played my good man! Well played indeed.
The unique shape that you're unsure of is for no other reason than having more axe face to strike the wood with... I grew up with an axe like this down in Tasmania Australia that was handed down three generations beginning with my great great grandfather who was a world champion axeman.
Watching you chop is like lightning, never the same place twice,
Ouch! But, yeah, we are all probably thinking that.
He's fairly consistent with his other axes, could be because of the weight of the head on this one.
🤣👍🏻
haha
It is heavy
5:20 I couldn't help yelling at my phone.
"DONT STAND THERE"
If that tree decides to slide back onto you, it's going to happen fast.
Cody - you did a temendicle job. Best professional homeowner on the West Coast. God Bless you and yours. 🙏🏻🇺🇸
OK, now I have to google a definition for temendicle.
I'd rate Cody as one of the most Professional + Homeowners on the East Coast as well... I mean minus myself of course. LOL.
@@jerrybobteasdaleTremedicle = Extra Large Testicles
Watching this I'm wondering how strong and fit were the guys who built cabins and houses with axes. Those were the days
They had help and took some time to build the house.
Just normal guys . I built many miles of rail fences and gates as a kid .similar sized logs . .all with a axe . Age 12 to 19 .today I'd have a heart attack in half an hr
My grandpa was a carpenter that fell his own trees, and built a few cabins and boats in his day. He wasn't built like Arnold Schwarzenegger by any means, but his forearms were gigantic, and he could crack a Brazil nut with his bare hand.
@@Grizzlox Doesn't surprise me your granddad had forearms like Popeye's. Those guys in that line of work back in the day were solid.
Back in the days when men were men. You worked hard to build what you desired. Now everyone sits at a desk and complains about “white privilege”.
The size of chips that thing was throwing... Wow, that over-the-shoulder camera angle really made that thing look like a monster.
I put a rather ridiculous edge on a cheap hardware store axe I got a long time ago after watching your filing video, It'll shave better than a straight razor. Only problem is, I've had nothing to use it on.
You should take a look what the professional competitors do with it. The standing block which somewhat simulates cutting down a tree is chopping through 12-14 inches of white pine. The record is a bit over 11 seconds.
Swinging that axe takes some big tremendicles. Seriously though, real nice video. I guess it makes sense that in a contest you don't care about "energy efficiency" for the "average person." You just want the sharpest, biggest and best axe an athlete can swing at peak output.
For the people complaining about how to say the name (most Germans don't care that much other than getting a chuckle) here's how, close as an english accent will get:
OCK (as in OCtober)
SEN (as in SENator)
KOPF (as in COP with an F at the end)
Done.
(shift both the Os just a little more to a long Oh sound rather than an Ah sound and it'll be perfect.)
Not one person in the history of humans has said "tremendical" until now. :p I lold so hard thank you!
Tremeduucal
@@Maxim.Teleguz colonel, hors d'oeuvres...
So glad he chose to keep it in the video
It’s a great word. You know exactly what it means, so the English language clearly needs it. I m going to try and use it every day.
word of the day: tremendical
It takes a wise and humble man to admit a tool is a bit big for him on any particular day.
“Public school strikes again.” I laughed so hard.
That was tremendical.👏
Same here, after I back up the video, to be sure I heard it correctly.
It’s a fantastic new word! I love it. This is exactly how language evolves from “UG” to Latin “ the language the Aristocratics won’t let die even though it’s terminal”
I NEED THAT ON A MORAL PATCH
I miss these types of videos from him
I can share some insight into the history of competitive chopping. My great great great (great?) Grandfather challenged a tree feller by the name of Biggs from Mainland Australia that he could fall a tree faster and so was born the sport of competitive chopping in Australia. The prize from memory was only a matter of shillings or 1500 split palings. This challenge was recognised as being of great importance to the sport and a plaque was erected in the early 70s.
The World Championships were held in my hometown of Ulverstone in 1974.
Also the shape of the head is typical Australian shape, but yours is an athletes style being wider in the face and heavier.
The story goes that my relative fell his tree first and propped his shoulder under the board that Mr Biggs was standing on.
You should really get you hands on a Tuatahi camp axe and put your own handle on it. Because the handle that comes with it is really short at 23" for a 3.5lb axe head. Probably the best axe being made today in my opinion. A true work of art.
That tree fall was pretty lame
Please do more high end reviews!!!
As a 47 year old man I am embarrassed to say I know very little about Axes or Cutting but thankfully I have found your channel and boy am I catching up fast. The World of Axes and Tree Cutting is a must for anyone who has decided to turn left instead of right and head down a road to the unseen, thanks for your Lore and handling of the Content nothing is wasted here its pure knowledge at its finest.
Public school strikes again lol. Very true brother, very true.....
DON'T KNOCK PUBLIC SKROOLS...
I passed ebonics with honours!
I don’t get this comment… he said tremendicle…. He made a mistake… public schools taught him that? Or was he just not paying attention?
I use the old Public School defense constantly when I do something stupid.
@@Lucky0wl public schools are garbage
@@Robert_H_Diver Better than the expensive religious dogma bullshit ones by a long shot tho. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
i do find it interesting to note that the shape of that axe head, and the handle for that matter, very closely resembles how axe's were drawn way back when. makes me wonder if the "professional race axe" is just how they used to be made way back when in a certain part of the world with the intention of use on certain breeds of trees. the design makes sense in my mind for what i would want out of an axe. enough blade length to prevent it from sinking to the point of getting stuck. sharp enough to get a good cut. hard enough to stand up to good hardwoods. heavy enough to ensure an adequate cut. definitely some interesting thoughts to ponder on.
That’s quite an axe. The chips are huge. I assume you’ll return to drop that tree to the forrest floor? (Chainsaw) i’ve been enjoying the short videos but I’ve got to say, I know you’re very busy with the new Homestead these days, but I miss the longer videos. Be well!
I miss them too
Pretty sure he said they're building a road through there. So I'm assuming heavy machinery will be taking care of it
Naw... we're going to leave that boy hanging right there. Sweet booby trap.
Nothing hurts the soul like the tree not hitting the ground
This is my first Wranglestar video I've watched in years. Coming from someone that is close my size and has used an axe before, this is a review I trust.
Now I just want to know how you compare it to your beloved GB. It would be cool if they made a smaller race axe.
There are two GIANT safety violations in this video, in my opinion.
*First:* never leave the axe stuck in the "chop-cavity" while manipulating the tree to fall: the axe may fall on your feet, or it may even get launched in any direction.
*Second:* standing directly behind a stuck tree is even more dangerous than standing directly underneath it. With a tree of this size bent like that, there is A LOT of kinetic energy stored in the system. If that energy is released at the chopping side, the tree could get launched in the direction of the narrator instantly, like a giant crossbow bolt, and there will be no time to react whatsoever. Not a safe place to sit down and talk!
Very interesting video though! Please stay safe when working in the woods :-)
you read my mind, I was so nervous watching it at the end
Yeah but who asked you?
Considering he’s been a professional feller for years and was raised learning how to fell with an ax I’m fairly certain these are things he knows in spades
I wouldn't park my blade in the cut, stand at the kick out or leave a self-induced snag. Love the tool and the show, but.
I suppose I could get worried if I had read a different title
"Public school strikes again" - thanks for one of the biggest laughs I've had all weekend! God bless and thank you.
South Texas "third coast" viewer here. I really enjoy your videos Cody, keep up the good work! I was excited when the tree got hung up thinking you were going to talk about, teach, and take care of the widow maker on camera. Maybe next time.
Just to let you know. The brand "Ochsenkopf" means "Oxhead"
Yeah, love how he mangled the pronunciation "osken-kamp" 🤣 But hey, I glaub net das er Deutsch spricht...
@@step4560 Ist diese Kommentar Sektion teil der BRD??
@@step4560 Ne das nicht :D Aber hey komm.. Bei so vielen Abos usw. kann man ruhig mal die 10 sek. nehmen und googeln wie man es ausspricht :D
The pronounciation killed me insideand Im dutch, not even german
@@jacob-hh Na, nix BRD. I bin von Wien als kind umg'setzt worden nach Kali. U.S.A. Go figure... 😛
Noticed a few folks were concerned about leaving the widow maker. I was also concerned about pushing the tree over by hand. Good thing it didn’t barber chair or kick back, that may have been the end of Wranglerstar.
That was my initial thought as well. Glad that didnt shift weird on him.
@@dannykrise9721 Apparently you have not spent much time in the woods if that worries you in the least. To many fibers for it to do anything but go the way he was pushing. That is far far from a Widow maker.
I've pushed plenty of trees over myself. That didn't bother me at all. How low the back cut was in comparison to the undercut now? That was a bit concerning!
I didn't like where he stood to talk after it was resting. Looked like a spring that could take of a head if it shifted and detached from the stump.
@@7h3F33d3r i know....it was cringy.....
This is like the 4th axe video in about a month - we’re getting into classic Wranglerstar territory here 👍
holy moly, its so sharp it cut its own sheath? thats crazy
Bro i stumbled upon your page by accident and I must say your hands down one of the most entertaining ppl i ever watched.😌
I cant believe a forestry guy could drop that tree betwee the only 2 that would bind a widowmaker.
No one said he was smart
Even professionals make mistakes.
@@Hank_Amarillo east?
trust me that's very much WEST coAst of him
i was wonding if anyone was gonna say something bout leaving that tree.. im literally starting at the screen like come on please don't tell me you're just gonna leave that tree there.. bring in a truck or a backhoe. Something atleast to wrap a chain around an yank it/roll it off of there
The opening of this video is what made me fall in love with the channel years ago, I will need to bad and watch them again, I miss old wranglerstar style
Did you leave that tree hanging there, or go back and fix it?
It's fixed,
Knowing Wranglerstar….
Chainsaw.
Neatly stacked firewood.
Bow.
I love lumberjack competitions. I never knew what one of these axes cost before, but they all use this style. Those monstrous gentlemen can make a log look like balsa wood with one.
Never heard of such a thing, but thats a serious piece of kit.
Lol @ 05:51 "public school strikes again". I laughed because I went to public school, which is why we homeschool ours. 😅
Am I the only one still waiting for jacks treehouse to be finished? 😂
it is
yes.
For me the sufficient test result was when you first swing the axe in order to just put it away. Man even this was deep.
6’-5” and winner of multiple end of day Renn Faire bell ringing competitions (and suburban hand held log splitter) I think this MIGHT be right up my alley (if it wasn’t $500 that is) it looks sweet and seems extremely well balanced
“Public school strikes again” couldnt be more accurate 🤣
I didn't know you could chop a tree down with the brand of straight razor Chuck Norris shaves with.
This ax looks great. Thanks for sharing. What I really want to see is Mrs.W pantry. I believe that a tour of her organization and storage ideas are over due.
He probably called a east coast guy to come fix it.
Then there are a bunch of shapes and grinds for different wood, I once saw an antique axe manufacturer's catalog from back when axes were a primary professional tool [pre 1900] and there must have been 20+ heads and 10-15 handles.(mix and match) not just about being sharp, a thin blade like a machete will give max penetration; you want max penetration that won't get stuck and causes the chips to pop up in the particular type of wood.
4-5lb isn't all that heavy, a lot of comp guys are swinging 6-7 pound. as a 140lb 14 year old I would swing an 8lb splitting maul for hours.
Pro tip, get a 16lb hammer and use it just often enough to be accustomed to the momentum, then all the axes will feel nimble.
Do you mean axehead weight only, or the weight all together with the handel?
@@lukasking2573 Its always weight of the head, same for hammers.
Although that brings to mind handles made of hickory verse ash and standard vs reduced thickness axe handles. (And even the various fiberglass designs.) Hickory is a bit stronger than ash but ash is lighter and has a just bit more flex/spring. I like ash for lighter tools up to a medium axe, and hickory or fiberglass for the robust stuff like mauls, picks, shovels. Fiberglass is case by case, some are great and some are very poor.
So the real question is does the handle give you the fizz?
Absolutely beautiful and superbly performing ax. Thanks for showing it off because this about as close as I will ever come to a $500 ax.
A super sharp blade can certainly shorten the life of a sheath but damaged straight out of the box probably is a sign of how sharp the ax is but more so how poorly the sheath was done, something wrong with the installation of the bolster or the bolster leather is too soft. I had bought an inexpensive toolbox knife where the sheath bolster was actually made of some sort of poly foam. Once I got the knife to the level of sharpness I wanted that bolster didn't last long. I had to pull the sheath apart and restitch in a proper hard leather bolster.
Would love to see a speed comparison for a normal tree between this and a normal fellers axe. Rests included etc.
I'd assume the fellers axe would win since it's what Cody's used to and he can swing those no problem. Put the racing axe in the hands of a body builder or a well built lumber jack and it would take the lead.
Are you CRAZY!!!?? On 5:29 you are standing in front of a tree that is going to CUT YOU IN HALF if it breaks!!!!!! In this position it is like a SPRING full of potential energy!!!
"Public school strikes again!" That's the best!!!😂
I feel so privaleged to have grown up in a place where the teachers follow their own thoughts and not the government's
@@T-Mo_ 😂
2:40 “all right let’s see where the wind’s coming from” CHOP! lol. says enough. 😆
I’d love to see a review on a Tuatahi work axe.
They’re in New Zealand. Tuatahi makes racing axes, as well as some really cool racing saws and work saws. God bless👍🏻
I am always amazed at the quality and effort Cody puts into making these videos. So many different angles and viewpoints. Another great video!
I own a comparable racing hammer from New Zealand. It’s a Tuatahi. I bought the working axe type designed to split frozen wood. I ordered it with the “wings” cut out and a gorgeous leather blade protector. It is an axe I’m proud to own. They sell for $600+ now.
7:20 wow! that bear in the background over his left shoulder, looked absolutely pissed at him! Be careful out there Cody stealing his huckleberries! Good thing you got that $500 speedy Axe, they recognize good German engineering and turn the other way! They don't mind those little Harbor Freight toys though! lol
holy smokes have your videos been getting incredible
That thing is a beauty! It looks too nice to use lol. You can tell it’s a beast by just watching this video! The weight comes through the screen.
You got that right!
I just took one look at the size of the head and knew I'm no where near manly enough to wield this.
I've competed in timbersports before and these type of axes are absolutely terrifying because of the weight and sharpness, I once witnessed somebody brush a chip off the blade and cut the tendons in 3 fingers
What you left in the forest, we used to call a "Widowmaker".
If you listened he said his friend is building a road through it. So their gonna clear them out anyways
@@markarmstrong3394 yeah and he left them a pain in the a$$ tree to deal with now. Hung up trees are really dangerous to cut down
@@Lucky0wl oh I know I used to cut my own firewood. But their making a road then they will use dozers.
Yeah after yrs of cutting firewood I discovered propane !! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Don’t worry. If you know Wranglerstar, he finished it off with his chainsaw, stacked neatly into stacks of firewood. We just didn’t see it since seeing that wasn’t actually the point of the whole video.
Guarantee he came back with a saw after the filming stopped.
Boy you’re way more than a professional homeowner 😂 sounds good tho. You’re the man and truthfully honest on everything good or bad. Thank you for the videos I been watching since the beginning. Much respect man.
Please tell me you didn’t leave that widow maker leaning!
Yup, right across a public walking path where kids will be climbing on it and people will be standing underneath it.
You guys and your "widowmaker" comments. He explained that a company is coming in to clear that area for a road at the beginning of the video.
People like you are the ones I would love to see chop a tree down with any means desired. Hence the “public or pubic education comment”. You’re probably unable too while eating Cheetos on the working mans dime
Your ambition is greater than your ability.
I would like to get this axe for some bucking on medium- big logs in the woods. Trying to avoid knots in the wood. But how high is the possibility that I am going to ruin the thin egde if I get on some hardwood? What is the grind Angel on the axe 20 degree 17?
The big question is though….
Did you leave that widow maker hung up or did you drop it ?
The handle is similar like the Finnish ones, when made "it should have a belly like a pike fish" ;)
Honestly one of my favorite TH-cam channels
Great video! I really enjoy watching the competitive axe chopping competitions. Hope it’s cooled off up your way! Stay blessed!
great advice. but also shouldn't be leaving hang ups because they are hazards for fallers and hikers an fire fighters. always clear your path trails and roads
Thank you Cody for these videos. I've actually always wondered what made a competition axe so much different than a typical felling axe. Would you mind reviewing your toolbelt and let us know where you got it?
Reminds me of the splitting maul I inherited from my grandfather... He made it in the machine shop where he worked in the 70s. It's solid steel pipe welded to a 22lb machined wedge. You can absolutely blast two foot logs directly down the middle with a single swing. You also take a lot of breaks and drink a lot of water.
Theres no such thing as "solid steel pipe" its a steel rod....and if he did it right its spring steel. I have 2 small sledge hammers i used torsion bars to make a handle for, the spring steel almost completely eliminated the vibration expected from using a steel handle and turned a 4lb sledge into a 10lb with a 20"ish long handle
why is the engineer from team fortress 2 holding an axe
This was the funniest video I’ve ever seen on TH-cam. Guy chops down a tree then eats some huckleberries! Brilliant! Cheers mates!!
5:50 public school strikes again 😂
Found your channel through the algorithm a few weeks back and good God, it’s safe to say I want a bunch of stuff I don’t need 😂 Awesome channel man 👍🏼 This axe is gorgeous
WARNING: Some trees are deceptive how they grow in terms of weight distribution. You can't judge the direction you want to fell the tree just by a lite breeze although the tree in this video didn't look to have that false leaning direction I'm talking about. A tree may seek light and grow in a certain direction but as it gets taller the predominate wind may cause it to lean the opposite direction. Some trees lean a certain direction at the base but a ways up that direction changes. The weight distribution of the tree is opposite of the way it appears. Many have tried to fell the tree in a certain direction and the tree tries to fall that way but it can't. The trunk area falls the direction you chose but above that the tree breaks several feet above the cutter sending the tree straight down on the cutter. Many have lost their lives that way and other ways or an armature will land a tree on their child or a friend because it didn't fall the intended direction. I would not recommend that inexperienced people drop trees and especially those that are large. One thing about a tree is they fall the direction of your cut every time. This doesn't mean it falls the intended direction wherein lies the problem. I believe it's the responsibility of the person posting the felling of a tree to disclose the dangers and much more information about how it's done. If you don't know then demonstrate an ax on a previously fallen tree. Cody is a busy man however I'd advise him to give videos that could cause harm more thought and consideration before he constructs the content of such a video. Be Safe my friends and forget logic when it comes to dangerous jobs. Cutting down trees is one of the most dangerous jobs in America and would imagine this is universal throughout the world. NOTE: My comment doesn't scratch the surface of how to cut down trees accurately or safely. I speak only of one aspect; in other words my comment encompasses nothing it only address one problem a cutter may face. Nothing like having your saw buck and jump up removing a chuck of your brain in a NANO second. Also one needs to consider how to swing an ax; many a person has suffered deep cuts that caused them their life. So much....more to know.
As far as I can tell, the differences are a broader blade and a long, aggressively angled handle at the bottom for underhand chopping. (There's an event where they stand on top of logs and chop downward.)
“Tremendicle” immediately blames public school
Only because of what they have become
@@carloshathcock5518 yea as a public school alum myself im not sticking up for them but i think the creation and use of tremendicle is more on his brain
Public schools in the west are worser" hahaha
But seriously though. I met a guy from Boston and when he came down west when he was 16 he said he learned the stuff that was being taught here when he was 10. Just what a shame. And its more sad how whenever you get older and a kid hands you their homework to help them with , you look at it like when the fuxk did they teach this. Its just so dumbed down every year
Competition cutters are generally made of a softer metal then most axes, that’s why very specific cuts of wood are used when competing as not to damage the axe. But it’s your money do as you please.
I've found that to be quite the contrary
This video was tremendical!
You win comment of the day, Mark,
Treemendical* (pro) - when forestry/tree equipment is so tremendous, it’s radical. “This axe is just treemendical.”
@@wranglerstar no sir , YOU won the award when you first said it on video! He just gets the assist ! haha
Axe: ochsenkopf (oxhead)
Wranglerstar: oskenkomp
5lbs is big for a modern axe for sure, but some of the old English pattern felling axes (such as those made by Elwell) were up to 7lbs, and I've seen old French axes which are even bigger. The woodsmen who swung those things around everyday must have had upper bodies like gorillas.
I dont know where he got his information from lol most competition axes are 8 lbs. I use a 4.5 lb axe almost every day as a wood processor and professional woodsman my mauls and hammers are 8 lbs so i can however say with them as a reference that i wouldnt want to daily use an 8 lb axe
The handle snaps because it is thin enough to allow that. Old timers preferred thin handles and they knew what they were doing.
I get the feeling he may not be a lumberjack.
Nah is he is a professional homeowner, a homesteader if you may. Could also be because of the heavy head, as I have seen his other videos with lighter axe heads and his cuts were far more consistent.
And that's okay.
On the competition videos I've seen, the cute from side to side much more so you get chunks out with every hit and don't get stuck. Also they grab it near the head to get it back up... I' hope you'll try again!
Am I the only person with concerns about a role model (Desired or otherwise) standing on the back-side of a hung up tree like that? And also not commenting on the importance of finishing that drop, not just leaving it hung up like that.
Yes. Yes you are.
Yes you are
Yeah I wasn't too impressed with this video
Yea, a mention of safe procedure here would've been nice, I was waiting for it but it never came. I'm sure he cleaned it up though.
Great start to the video but bloody idiotic second half.
You should come up to the deming log show east of Bellingham. Second full weekend of June every year. You’ll see how these axes are truly used in a competition setting. You need more of a downward swing to utilize the axe fully
One of my friends represents Australia in the Stihl timbers ports and has won many world titles, he is known for using a much bigger axe than other Competitors.
Yep, if you can swing it till it is down you done good.
But nothing like the footwear of choice the dunloop volleys... and some of the young foke now wear mesh socks.
Though cutting the tree 2 boards up that is a balancing act.
No fair...the gravity is different down under...lol
6:09. I've seen a "leaf" spring......and I've seen a "water" spring...Heck Moses even made a "Rock" spring .......🎶but I bee done seeeen bout everythinggg....when I see a "HIC-KOR-RY SPRING"🎶
Must be those "WEST COAST" Hickory's that move like that??
G’day Cody
Down here in Australia 🇦🇺 we consider a 4 1/2 pound Tasmanian pattern the norm.
Would love to see you do a video on the Tasmanian pattern axe 🪓.
Great content as usual.
Cheers 🍻
My grandfather cut wood with axe and horses in Northern Maine. He weighed about 150 and I heard few could keep up to him.
Dad said when Grandad hung an axe, he needed to be able to shake the axe back and forth and feel the handle flex like Cody described.
Mark this day in history Tremendical is Cody’s “covfefe” moment ! I shall add to my lexicon from this day forth!
I'm a competing axeman from Australia. Over hear that axe would be put in the sh*t pile. Dodgy handle, thick bevel (would run 14° on pine), would probably do with a banana grind, needs a good rubbing with a Norton. Still appreciate the content but there is a crazy amount of science to our competition axes and I hope an axeman who lives near to you allows you to have a go with a better axe on some comp grade wood. (Still don't believe the axes will be as good, we are the best for a reason ;). Goodluck, stay safe and thanks for the content mate!
"This is about all the work I'm willing to do today..." haha
Still more work than most though.....nice video. Thanks for sharing
Racing Axe’s are shaped like that because it helps blow the chips out just like a sharp chain on a chainsaw
East coast man would have felled that tree to where it would hit the ground and have it bucked before dinner! And carried it out on his shoulder!
Pulled the damn stump and made it into a table as well
Only found the china axe on amazon. Do you have a link to the German one?
I’m being serious that if you make a shirt or hoodie saying “Tremendical. My goodness. Public school strikes again.” I’ll buy it. Hahahahah 😂😂