Felling Axes-where's the fine line in head weight?

M3mphis

M3mphis

Joined
Jan 13, 2011
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So I recently picked up a Council felling axe with a 6lb head. I finally took down a tree with it on Friday. I haven't used a whole slew of axes, but I know this is the heaviest felling axe that I have ever used. I'm not so sure that the 6 pounds was worth swinging.

What do you think? Where does more weight stop paying off and rather causes unnecessary fatigue?

Thanks, Matt.
 
Wow, 6 pounds is a hell of a weight to swing. How is the balance on that axe? The head is very long with a real small poll.

Regards

Robin
 
The head is very long. I'll try to get a pic up later on. The balance doesn't seem as bad as you might think. The cheeks are fairly thin for its size. I shouldn't really pass too much judgement on the axe until a replace the handle. It must have warped at some time, because the handle is VERY contorted. It must be out of center by at least 3" at the end knob. It looks ridiculous. I'll post a pic sighting straight down the bit to show how warped it is.
 
yeah, that's a helluva head to swing. 6 lbs is a splitting maul weight to me. I'd think somewhere around the 4lb mark would be the upper end of reasonable/possible for myself with a felling axe. as it is, 3 1/2 pounds is heavy for lots of that kind of swinging. not at all the same as swing the same weight overhead (as in splitting). I can do that all day, but I bet I'd fall over in a few minutes if I had to do felling with a 6lb head.

stronger arms/stronger backs may have other opinions.

-ben
 
That's just too much axe for me. I do much better with something in the 3lb range. Any more than that kills my efficiency.
 
For single bit 3-3.5 lbs is good for me. If it is a double bit I like it a little heavier around 3.5-4.5 lbs. IMO, 6 lbs is just too much for a felling axe. The axe would be drastically head heavy so the balance would be very poor.
 
I like 5-6 pounds. Works good for me. I have a 5 lb Hytest and a 5.85lb working axe from Baileys. Both throw the wood very well. I have some 3 lb and 3.5 lb felling axes, they are good to, but I like the amount of wood that is removed with the wider, heavier, and sharper heads. (sharper due to the flat grind)
 
gunknifenut said:
I like 5-6 pounds. Works good for me. I have a 5 lb Hytest and a 5.85lb working axe from Baileys. Both throw the wood very well. I have some 3 lb and 3.5 lb felling axes, they are good to, but I like the amount of wood that is removed with the wider, heavier, and sharper heads. (sharper due to the flat grind)
Click to expand...

Just took a look at the Baileys axes. Is yours flat ground at 16 degrees??? No issues there? Secondary convex?
 
The limited availability of different weights of axe heads on the market today makes chosing one by experience almost next to impossible, as well as expensive.

Based on comments from The Ax Book: The Lore and Science of the Woodcutter by Dudley Cook (http://www.amazon.com/Ax-Book-Lore-...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306250846&sr=1-1), his experience, in days when every hardware store carried several weights, was that most people used too heavy an axe, and he tells of how much his productivity increased when he went from a 4 lb to a 3 lb head. You may have found that out with a 6 lb head!

I'd say to find what weight you are most comfortable swinging and stick with that. I'll bet you'll find something in the 3--3.5 lb range, which are easy weights to find.
 
M3mphis said:
Just took a look at the Baileys axes. Is yours flat ground at 16 degrees??? No issues there? Secondary convex?
Click to expand...

It came with no secondary bevel..which did cause an issue with rolling. I added a nice fine secondary, and its much better now. I have to use a good bit of care where I live anyway, if chopping pine, the knots are like stone, and can chip or roll any fine edge easily.

As far as productivity. I have spent a good bit of time with axes of all shapes and sizes. I like a 3.5 very much indeed. I have played alot at the idea of timebersports, so I find I lean towards the heavier heads, when dealing with single bits. My 5lb Hytest is a pleasure to use, for me anyways. One of my favorites is a 3.5 double , I picked up off of the "BAY" for a good price.
Most of my axes are Flea Market finds and stuff I bought on Ebay. I wouldnt buy a "new" axe, that you can find in the stores nowadays..they have terrible grinds IMO.
Of course, their are exceptions, some of the older hardware stores still carry quality. YMMV.
When I started collecting Axes, I spent ALOT of time searching out old heads..sometimes I bought lemons, but most cleaned and handled up well. The hardest part of collecting old heads was finding good handles. I lucked out 2 years ago, and bought some single bit hickory handles in bulk for a deal..I only have one left..and am waiting for the right head for it...LOL

My Hytest
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Thanks, gunknifenut. Good stuff!
That Hytest looks like a beauty.

I think this subforum deserves a thread of pics and videos of the good people throwing chips!!! I'd like to see what you can do with that 5lb hytest!

Matt
 
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