A good ax - choosing a tool for a suburban area based on tips and recommendations

The most important thing when choosing an ax

First of all, whether an ax is good or not is determined by several important parameters. The most important thing when choosing a good ax is the shape of its blade, as different axes serve different purposes.

For example, a rounded blade will do a good job of cutting something. And an ax with a straight blade will help you split various objects well, like large stumps.

The second important quality is the sharpening angle of the blade in degrees. This parameter should not be lower than 40 degrees. When sharpening the blade at 40 degrees, the ax will penetrate well into hard material, but this option will become dull very quickly.

This angle is very good for cutting trees, but sharpening at a higher angle is suitable as a carpenter’s axe, for meat or for firewood.

Also among the main important features is the high quality of the steel of the axe, because it directly affects the service life of the axe.

Another quality is the length of the axe; if it is too short, you will not be able to work with the axe for a long time and will have to work with outstretched arms.

The thickness of the ax should lie comfortably in the hand so as not to cause discomfort when working.

Rules of care

In order for an ax to serve for a long time and efficiently, it should be properly and regularly maintained. The simplest professional tips for caring for your instrument are as follows:

To prevent the tool from becoming covered with rust and corrosion, it should be treated with machine oil.
The tool should be stored in a specially designated place, preferably in a case.
Timely sharpening is a mandatory procedure.
Regularly check the fixation of the head on the ax handle.
Mandatory replacement of the ax handle if it breaks or if any defect is detected.

Features of tourist models

Touring axes are designed to be carried in a backpack, as their name already implies. This hatchet has its own features that allow you to determine which model will be the best.

The main advantage of travel options is their light weight, which is practically unnoticeable in a backpack in the total volume of all things.

In addition, the ax has a special cover for the blade, which protects it from cuts when carrying it.

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Due to the very sharp blade, the ax can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also as a knife, which can easily cut whatever is required. The length of the ax handle does not exceed 50 cm, which is very important for carrying in a backpack.

The product also has disadvantages, the main one of which is the cost is significantly higher than the average level. With prolonged use and carrying in a case, the blade gradually becomes covered with a layer of rust.

This option is not used for cutting firewood and trees; its blade is sharpened at a very small angle, and the handle is too short.

Best tourist type ax

As a rule, such axes are compact and light in weight. Their blades have semicircular edges, which make it much easier to carry them in your bag.

Quite often, various companies select interesting designs and even additional covers for travel models.

The main advantages are: light weight, protective covers, sharp blades, which make it possible to use the tool like a knife if necessary, short handle length.

Wood chopping

To prepare firewood, an ax is most often required in country houses and rural farmsteads, since even for frying barbecue, wood is the best fuel.

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The blade of a wood ax is sharpened at an angle of about 40-60 degrees for better cutting.

The handle is most often made of wood, but can also be metal; the blade is made of hardened carbon steel. When asked which steel to choose, always pay attention to the manufacturer's seal mounted on the handle.

The list of advantages of an ax can begin with the ease of working with it, since even a beginner can handle it. The second advantage is accessibility for the buyer in the sense that finding such an ax is as easy as shelling pears in any store.

There is also a wide price range for these axes, from which everyone will choose something for themselves.

The disadvantage of an ax of this format is that it is intended only for one type of work and cannot be used in other areas.

They cannot cut down a tree, and it is quite unsuitable for a butcher, since it is not so sharp. The disadvantages include the easy opportunity to get a low-quality fake, which the market is full of.

Double-sided cleaver

A double ax has blades of equal weight on both sides of the handle, combined into one piece.

Thanks to this design, maximum balance is achieved when working with it, which facilitates actions. The blades are made of carbon hardened steel, the handle can be made of either wood or metal.

The advantage of the ax is that with the help of different blades, one ax can perform several tasks at once.

The ax handle of this option can be easily replaced with a new one if necessary; you just need to select the required dimensions. Due to good balancing, it is possible to use the ax for throwing.

The disadvantage of the ax is that it is heavy and has an uncomfortable handle, which reduces the speed of work.

The tool poses a certain danger when working, since the reversible blade easily swings towards the holder.

The ax has a very high cost, which is why not everyone can afford it. The low impact function makes it a throwing ax only in most cases.

A little about sizes and shapes

Each master made an ax with his own hands, focusing on his height and specific application. It is no secret that a tool designed for chopping wood will be somewhat different from a similar product intended for cutting down trees. In this case, a small carpenter's hatchet for small carpentry work will be the exact opposite of the two categories listed above.

Despite this, a professional ax with a wooden handle always consists of three main parts:

working part made of metal with a sharpened front part;
ax handle - a handle made of wood;
wedge - a spacer element that connects parts of a structure together.

When making it yourself, special attention is paid to the metal part, otherwise the tool simply will not cope with its main function. Here, not only the shape and material are taken into account, but also the aspect ratio and sharpening angle.

Modern axes are usually made from medium-alloy tool steel, which has been heat-treated and hardened.

The blade shape is selected depending on the application. For example, products designed for arborists are often used for cutting down tree trunks and removing large limbs. This kind of work requires a great depth of penetration, so the shape of the ax should be wedge-shaped. Cleavers that are used for chopping wood have a similar shape, but have thicker “cheeks” and a sharper sharpening angle.

The length and size of the ax directly depend on the impact loads. If significant impact force is required, the handle is made longer to provide a larger swing. Here the dimensions are 700-900 mm. The length of the handles of log axes (carpentry tools) usually does not exceed 500 mm; a good cleaver is attached to a shaft of about 800 mm.

The shape of the ax should provide a comfortable grip, so the middle part is always made curved, the seat and shank have thickenings. The blade angle usually varies between 70-90 degrees.

Despite this, a professional ax with a wooden handle always consists of three main parts:

working part made of metal with a sharpened front part;
ax handle - a handle made of wood;
wedge - a spacer element that connects parts of a structure together.

Modern axes are usually made from medium-alloy tool steel, which has been heat-treated and hardened.

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The shape of the ax should provide a comfortable grip, so the middle part is always made curved, the seat and shank have thickenings. The blade angle usually varies between 70-90 degrees.

Lumberjack Ax

This tool is intended exclusively for logging work, since during other work the heavy weight will interfere.

The blade is manufactured in two stages by forging from the highest quality carbon steel. The materials for the handle are a special type of hazel, which ensures a long service life.

The main advantage is the large weight of the object, which allows you to make the most powerful blow for cutting hard rocks.

The rounded blade provides additional protection for the logger when carrying the tool. The ax handle “sits” very comfortably in the hand, which makes the woodcutter’s work easier.

The disadvantages include heavy weight, as “the other side of the coin”. The ability to use an ax to solve only one task is also considered a clear disadvantage.

Due to the weighted design, it is not at all easy to move quickly in forest conditions. But such forged axes, even despite all the shortcomings, are professional.

Service life of the ax

The durability of a properly made ax is determined by the resistance of the wood to impact and compression. The part of the ax located in the eye experiences very significant loads; over time, it can become wrinkled and the ax head becomes loose. The service life is determined by the type of wood (the harder the better), drying (a poorly dried ax handle will “get wet” very quickly), and the density of the attachment: precise fitting and tight attachment (by blows or pressing) significantly increase durability. Properly made axes can work under heavy loads for years without requiring repairs. If a properly made and mounted ax handle becomes loose, it can be repaired. In the case of a direct attachment (when the ax is placed on top of the tapering end of the ax handle and then wedged), the ax should be set back and an additional wedge made of hardwood should be hammered in. It is also possible to use a flat or round metal wedge. When the ax is mounted in reverse (the ax handle is passed through a cone-shaped eyelet from top to bottom), loosening does not occur, since during operation the loads are directed towards the expanding end of the ax handle and the ax is only fitted more tightly.

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