Tool Tuesday; broad axe

[johan_steele]

A broad axe is a vital tool when building structure; it is the tool that turns round logs into square beams. All a man needs is a chalk line, square, felling axe and broad axe to turn a good heavy log into a good heavy beam. A broad axe may look like a fearsome weapon but the reality is that it is too heavy and cumbersome to be an effective weapon; but it is a splendid tool.

There are a variety of broad axe styles from the gull wing common on the continent to the "Pennsylvania" style to this "American style identified by the wings that hug the haft giving it better balance. I really cannot say where I acquired this broad axe; but it has given me good service.

I really am not that skilled in the use of hand tools, but I do enjoy using them. The feel of a smooth wooden handle under my hand and the sound of the steel cutting into a project has always had a pleasing sound to me. Even as a child I enjoyed cutting wood for the stove. When trimming or squaring logs a large amount of spoil is created that makes decent kindling and I task my young daughter or other children with filling a flour sack with such. It occupies them and keeps them from mischief… at least some of the time.

 

[gc45]

Mine is similar to yours, who made it is a mystery but I got it at a huge garage sale 25 years ago..It makes nice cuts in logs for squaring them up but not something I do now...

 

[EJ Zander]

Liking tool Tuesdays!
Working wood with handled tools is very rewarding both in what is produced and the physical exertion it takes. For years all our wood was split by hand with competition in how much wood could be processed in a days work. The emphasis was on splitting firewood with speed.
I would windmill swing the axe for hours. It is where you bring the axe up and then down to strike the wood like normal. After the first impact the axe is kept low and the swing is started low then swung back and over the head. The arms are fully extended during entire swing. The swing looks like a big circle More efficient swing and lets the weight of the axe do the work on the down stroke. We split hardwoods where multiple hits were required to split or take material off.
The is an art to physical labor to maximize efficiency and minimize wear on the body.
A buddy of mine had a business. He and I built wood retaining walls using mostly hand tools. Some where pretty high. Lots of bragging rights as to who could drive in a 12 inch steel spike the fastest and with least number of hits. We we were swinging sledges. Spike had to be countersunk. Record was two hits.

 

[UCVRelics]

View attachment 445237
A broad axe is a vital tool when building structure; it is the tool that turns round logs into square beams. All a man needs is a chalk line, square, felling axe and broad axe to turn a good heavy log into a good heavy beam. A broad axe may look like a fearsome weapon but the reality is that it is too heavy and cumbersome to be an effective weapon; but it is a splendid tool.

There are a variety of broad axe styles from the gull wing common on the continent to the "Pennsylvania" style to this "American style identified by the wings that hug the haft giving it better balance. I really cannot say where I acquired this broad axe; but it has given me good service.

I really am not that skilled in the use of hand tools, but I do enjoy using them. The feel of a smooth wooden handle under my hand and the sound of the steel cutting into a project has always had a pleasing sound to me. Even as a child I enjoyed cutting wood for the stove. When trimming or squaring logs a large amount of spoil is created that makes decent kindling and I task my young daughter or other children with filling a flour sack with such. It occupies them and keeps them from mischief… at least some of the time.

Nice one. I have seen some with an offset blade, what they called and used for?

 

[johan_steele]

Nice one. I have seen some with an offset blade, what they called and used for?

The offset makes it easier to keep from skinning your knuckles with use.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

The offset is so the user can stand over the middle of the log, and then aim their strokes to one side or the other as they flatten the side of the log. If I want to flatten the right side of the log, I want an axe with a bent handle so that as I swing straight down, the axe will strike a few inches to the side but my hands and stroke will still be centered.
I suppose there must be a youtube video showing this.
I did find this video which I think shows the use of a broad axe very clearly