Derek,
Thanks for your thoughts. Currently, there are six racing axe makers in the world. Only two are, relatively speaking, mass produced - Tuatahi in New Zealand and Grunfors Bruks in Sweden. The Grunfors Bruks axes have a ways to go, but the Tuatahi (Moari for "number one") is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. There are other axe makers who used casted blades that have some inperfections that obvioulsy lead to a lot of problems (whether it be an aluminum or otherwise mold). Then there is one axemaker, Don Langdon, who hand makes individual heads; Don's axes are, what I can consider, the "Rolls Royce" of racing axes.
I have corresponded heavily with all the axe makers but, because there are so few, the ideas are kept pretty much to individuals. Some will share, but not much. Therefore, I turn my quest to the study of metallurgical composition in an attempt to understand what happens to the axe once it enters the wood.
Unfortunately, there is very little by way of information available on the subject. When I searched the internet, I came across the forum as about the only website that attempted to explain the theory of how knife blades flexed or bent (then came back) when they struck objects. I found it interesting, so I decided to sign up.
To be honest, I don't know if there is a difference between how a knife and axe flex or bend when they strike wood, but I bet there is someone in the forum that has a thought about this and that's the insight I am looking for. Basicly, an understanding or for someone to explain the theory to me.
Making knifes and axes are a science. It's a well developed science because it's especially difficult to make something that will maintain a razor sharp edge after striking, cutting, or hitting another object. There has to be a reason why we don't pull back serated stubs when we strike something with a blade. That's something I want to understand. I have a concept of metal grain and how it can be manipulated once it has been forged or rolled, but I really don't have a comprehension beyond that general principal.
Thanks,
Arden Cogar Jr.
