Splitting axe
The splitting axe is best known and used for splitting wood. It generally consists of an iron blade and a wooden handle that can be wielded with one or two hands. It comes in different shapes and variants: double-edged, tactical axe, etc.
The axe differs from the hatchet in its size. The handle length of axes is almost double that of hatchets. The axe is intended for heavy-duty work. With an axe, for example, you can split large pieces of wood or fell trees in the forest. To accomplish operations of this type, the handle must be gripped with both hands and a wide swing must be taken before striking. In this way, the applied force will be greater.
The axe handle can be made of wood or plastic, and nowadays you can even find axes with steel handles on the market. Finally, axe blades must be sturdy and well sharpened. Sharpening should be done regularly and in the correct manner, as it can even impact the cutting technique.
How to choose an axe?
The axe is an extremely useful tool when venturing into the woods, especially for cutting wood for fire. But how do you determine whether an axe is good or not, and what are the characteristics we should check before buying one?
Selection criteria
There is an incredible variety of axes in all shapes and sizes on the market, but generally to understand if an axe fits you, you grab the axe head with your hand with the handle along your outstretched arm — if it reaches your armpit, it should be fine.
The blade
When choosing an axe, the first thing you need to pay attention to is the choice of blade, which can be of three types:
The handle
The axe handle plays a key role in its maneuverability. The longer it is, the more you will be able to use it for large-scale work. However, we advise you to choose a handle that is neither too long nor too short, so that your axe remains light and easy to handle.
How to sharpen an axe?
To sharpen your axe, run the blade over the sharpening tool and keep it still. It must also be properly positioned to avoid potential accidents. Please note that there are various complete sharpening kits on the market that will allow you to carry out this task safely.
How to use an axe correctly?
For safety reasons, there are a few essential rules to keep in mind when using an axe:
-
- To avoid accidents, never leave the axe on the ground.
- Before felling a tree, you must first obtain the necessary permits.
- Never place a hand or a foot in the path of the axe when you are using it.
- The axe is not useful for certain everyday tasks such as removing nails, opening boxes or digging.
