A Good Axe Manual

[dogstar]

What are good books about axemanship out there? I have "Bushcraft" by Kochanski, that's it.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[rg598]

Some of the ones I like are:

An Ax to Grind by Bernie Weisgerber: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2010/11/ax-to-grind-practical-ax-manual-by.html
Woodsmanship, by Bernard S. Mason (some people disagree with him on the issue of burnign out an axe handle): http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/01/woodsmanship-by-bernard-s-mason.html
The Axe Manual of Peter McLaren: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/04/axe-manual-of-peter-mclaren.html
Keeping Warm With an Ax by Dudley Cook (in some places the book makes some very strong, unsupported statements, but is generally good)

There are other good books out there that talk about axes, but these focus directly on them. I'm sure there are other good ones as well.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/

 

[Steve Tall]

Highly recommended:
"The Ax Book" by Dudley Cook
(formerly titled "Keeping Warm With an Ax")

Some comments on this forum from people who have the book:

I just got D. Cook's "Keeping Warm With An Ax - A Woodcutter's Manual".......
All I can say is..... WOW!!!!...
VERY good book, you learn things just from reading him talk about things, even when he does not actually TALK about them...
What surprised me the most, was just how INTERESTING it is...This guy can actually WRITE!

What a book! Just fabulous! You are right about his writing ability...Plus, he is probably one of the best technical writers I have had the pleasure to read in alonnnng time... Great Read & highly recommended for anyone North of the Florida Keys!.. If you have a wood burning fireplace you need this book on you're mantle...

 

[hollowdweller]

There is a section in Kepharts "Camping and Woodcraft" that is called "Axmenship" which is pretty detailed.

 

[rg598]

Yes, the section in Kephart is good, and so is the section on axes in Woodcraft by E.H. Kreps. Just make sure to get your information from more than one source. Just because something is in a book does not mean it is gospel, and more often than not, you will find a different line of thought in the next book. Think critically, and see what works for you.

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/

 

[dogstar]

Thanks for your recommendations, everyone.

 

[zyhano]

there is a good chapter on axes in mors kochanski's 'bushcraft' book: http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Out...1222/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304934452&sr=8-1
some good general info, and detailed explanations on safely felling trees and the dangers involved.

 

[bearhunter]

"THE AXE BOOK" is the one i've been wanting to get. i started to order it a few weeks ago, but decided to wait until later on this summer.

 

[bearhunter]

i was in town last week and picked up 'AN AXE TO GRIND' at the missoula technology development center (USFS). its fantastic. i also picked up a crosscut saw maintenaice manual, crosscut saw 'how to book', and a crosscut saw information dvd. all for "free". they are all very nice info books/booklets.
at least i'm getting something for all these damn taxes
i'd recommend anyone interested in these subjects to take advantage of these. they'll be in my book collection until i'm gone...lots of great info...

 

[rg598]

There is also a good video for An Ax to Grind: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2010/12/ax-to-grind-video.html
Handtools for Trail Work also has some good info: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2011/01/handtools-for-trail-work.html

http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/

 

[bearhunter]

i finally got 'The Axe Book'. by dudley cook. man what an interesting book. i'm just a little ways into it and so far its fabulous. IMO...
highly recommended for anyone with a passion for the axe and heating with wood!