Author Topic: Some questions on hewing axes (Read 2161 times)

trailmaker · « **on:** June 29, 2011, 12:07:16 am »

I'm interested to try hand hewing some logs but I'm a bit confused by the number of different types of axes. It seems like many people use a regular felling axe to score the log, but then I came across this beautiful axe by Mueller that seems to be specifically designed for scoring.
[img width=600 --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--.com/albums/tt149/trailmaker_photos/Scoring-Axe-lg-1.jpg[/img]

This scoring axe is 6.5lbs with a 10.5in face. Has anyone used this axe? What is it that makes it well suited to scoring compared to other axes? If this head geometry has a big advantage it seems like it might be worth getting.

Mueller has a few different broad axes that can be seen here ://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/Broad-Axes/products/526/
They're all beautiful axes and I'd love to have all of them but I'm not sure which ones are necessary minimal equipment for hewing.

I'd be interested to hear from any hand hewers out there. How many different types of axes do you typically use to hand hew?

trailmaker · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2011, 12:11:10 am »

Sorry about the dead links, I'm not yet familiar with how this forum works. I'll try to get those active.

Jim_Rogers · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:48:48 am »

Trailmaker:
Welcome to the forum.
There are some forum rules about posting links to off site pictures. Basically they are not allowed. If you want to show a picture you have to create an album of your own here on the forum and upload your pictures to it. Then place a link to that picture in your post.

That's the way it works, here.

You links will never be active as they are not allowed. An administrator removed the active part of your links, I'm just a moderator.

Jim Rogers

Dave Shepard · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2011, 07:27:02 pm »

I use a simple 3 1/2 pound axe for scoring. It's probably got a 4" wide face. I have a 36" handle on mine. For hewing, I use an 8" broad axe hung for right hand use. Broad axes can have a single bevel cutting edge, which would be hung either right or left handed, or double bevel, which could be used either way.

frwinks · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:26:23 am »

welcome aboard trailmaker..

IMO, I would invest my $$ in a nice finishing axe (broadaxe).
I like the European style over the massive N/S axes for that. I use a goosewing axe, just like that sweet Mueller axe in your links

trailmaker · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:13:06 pm »

Quote from: Dave Shepard on June 29, 2011, 07:27:02 pm

I use a simple 3 1/2 pound axe for scoring. It's probably got a 4" wide face. I have a 36" handle on mine. For hewing, I use an 8" broad axe hung for right hand use. Broad axes can have a single bevel cutting edge, which would be hung either right or left handed, or double bevel, which could be used either way.

Thanks for the response. I was secretly hoping that you guys would tell me I need an axe for scoring and two or three for hewing. I love a good axe and I'm always looking for excuses to get more.

trailmaker · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:21:38 pm »

Quote from: frwinks on June 30, 2011, 09:26:23 am

welcome aboard trailmaker..

IMO, I would invest my $$ in a nice finishing axe (broadaxe).
I like the European style over the massive N/S axes for that. I use a goosewing axe, just like that sweet Mueller axe in your links

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

Thanks. That looks like a beauty, I must have one! Hewing away in your shop or in the forest with a finely crafted axe sounds like a great way to pass some time.

logmason · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2011, 07:35:12 am »

I always used an adze. Mostly a carpenters adze and sometimes a heavier ship builders one for hogging. Would have loved to use the broad axe with curved handle but could not find handles back pre internet days. My experience is with oak both fresh and old. I quickly learned to work with the wood grain.

Hewing oak logs turns you into Popeye, then later just tired and sore.

krusty · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2011, 10:01:41 pm »

I hewed the logs for my house with my Gransfors and loved it. Someday I will get an update photo posted maybe...also had Gransfors custom make an axe for me too and have yet to try it. You need to be in pretty good shape to hew logs for 4+ hours straight!

Magicman · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2011, 10:26:06 pm »

What my Granddad and Great Granddad used.

WildDog · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2011, 03:54:06 am »

I find this old bearded axe made in Glasgow easier to manage than my other 12inch broad axes like the one below. The table and stool I have the axes resting on were 80 yr old fence posts that I adzed down. I really like the old adze and have a few of them.

trailmaker · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2011, 11:30:14 am »

Quote from: krusty on July 22, 2011, 10:01:41 pm

I hewed the logs for my house with my Gransfors and loved it. Someday I will get an update photo posted maybe...also had Gransfors custom make an axe for me too and have yet to try it. You need to be in pretty good shape to hew logs for 4+ hours straight!

I'd love to see some photos of your custom Gransfors. What features did you want that the standard Gransfors hewing axes didn't have?

trailmaker · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2011, 11:37:09 am »

Quote from: Magicman on July 22, 2011, 10:26:06 pm

What my Granddad and Great Granddad used.

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

I see similar hewing axes come up on e-bay quite often. The ones in good condition usually go for $150 or more which is still quite cheap compared to any currently produced hewing axes. It's interesting that at one point that "pattern" was very popular but no one currently produces it, as far as I know.

Dave Shepard · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2011, 11:40:25 am »

That type of axe, especially with the long handle, is most likely for hewing railroad ties. It would have been used for both the scoring and the hewing of the face.

krusty · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2011, 08:42:11 pm »

Hey trailmaker....

I thought I posted a pic of it here way back when I got it. The user search does not seem to be working at the moment for me.

It looks like their regular broadaxe as I did like the form of the one they stock normally. This one has either a 3# or 5 head...cant recall and the handle was a couple inches longer.

if I can dig up the photo I will send it but you would not be able to tell them apart from their std model unless they are side by side.

montreal · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2011, 08:39:46 pm »

Wilddog thats some nice looking work!i havnt done much on the broadaxe yet but like yourself really enjoy the adze,im wondering if the reason you find the bigger coventional one trickier to use maybe because it looks like its done a lot of work opposite[i cant remember if u have it l* or R*}to how u have it set,it may be just the photo but it looks fuller in the heel than the front which i would think make it trickier to use ??but as i say im still green on the hewing so i may be wrong?TRailmaker i think there is an aussie co still making the more conventional style B axe,if youd like i could find out?

WildDog · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2011, 08:03:51 am »

Quote

it looks like its done a lot of work opposite[i cant remember if u have it l* or R*}to how u have it set,it may be just the photo but it looks fuller in the heel than the front

Good pickup montreal, both of my broad axes were mounted left to suit a friend, that was last to use them, he like myself is inexperienced with these larger axes, my occasional use hasn't accounted for much wear

montreal · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2011, 09:09:31 am »

thanks W D,another thing i know makes a big dif is on some of the oldies when well worn they can be sharpened past the edge curve,that is if u look along the edge it should have a slight curve towards the center,i can explain it better but i wont bother in case u know what i mean??Mon

trailmaker · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2011, 11:34:12 pm »

Quote from: montreal on August 17, 2011, 08:39:46 pm

Wilddog thats some nice looking work!i havnt done much on the broadaxe yet but like yourself really enjoy the adze,im wondering if the reason you find the bigger coventional one trickier to use maybe because it looks like its done a lot of work opposite[i cant remember if u have it l* or R*}to how u have it set,it may be just the photo but it looks fuller in the heel than the front which i would think make it trickier to use ??but as i say im still green on the hewing so i may be wrong?TRailmaker i think there is an aussie co still making the more conventional style B axe,if youd like i could find out?

Thanks I've actually been collecting hewing axes off e-bay since I started this thread. I've got 5 or 6 from Germany and Austria and one from the US. I'd post some pics but I still can't figure out this system, all the other forums I'm on I just paste from --Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--.

trailmaker · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2011, 11:57:18 pm »

http://www.forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=19343&pos=1

Giving it another try.

Oh finally, I'm not great with the computers. Anyway here is my latest arrival. I believe it is Austrian or German the stamp says "HERKULES". It is symmetrical with an eight inch cutting edge. I think I've seen this style referred to as a "roughing broad axe". Can anyone tell me how these would be hafted traditionally? Were they used standing on the log or to the side?

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Author Topic: Some questions on hewing axes (Read 2161 times)