shaping axe question

[CraigMBeckett]

I have always understood that an axe with a single bevel is known as a side axe, they come in left or right handed, you can/could get them with offset handles so that the hand did not get in the way.


Craig

[goearnhardt]

I could never find any use for a axe in bow makin,,anything that can be done with a axe I can do easier and better with a drawknife,,hard to be very accurate with an axe but thats just me..

[mullet]

 Craig, I thought the same till a shingle maker showed me how to put a removable wooden wedge in and just switch the head. I really like mine when I'm chasing the grain down the length of the stave and shaping the bow. It seems to just follow the grain.

[gstoneberg]

I'm a little like Craig.  I've used a shaping axe on the sides of the bow's limbs, but never on the sapwood or belly of osage.  I had one loaned to me but had to give it back when we moved.  I may have to go pick one up.  I wish I'd thought to try it on sapwood when I had it.

George

[CraigMBeckett]

Mullet,

Craig, I thought the same till a shingle maker showed me how to put a removable wooden wedge in and just switch the head. I really like mine when I'm chasing the grain down the length of the stave and shaping the bow. It seems to just follow the grain.

I'm confused   but that's a regular occurrence these days.

Coming from a woodworking (for fun) background, I always understood you used the side axe with the flat side to the opposite side that the hand using it. That is if you are right handed when you hold a side axe the flat side is to the left when the blade is pointed away from you, putting a wedge in and turning the blade around would still leave the blade the wrong way around with the bevel to the wood when a right handed one is used left handed. Am I missing something.

Craig

[riarcher]

Nope bevel is away from wood. Sos on a rite handed person bevel is on right, the flat is on left against the wood. Corn-fuzzed yet ?

Actually,,,, YES. 
I'm left handed, work on the left side of wood. So, when I swing to cut with stave on right side of hatchet, I'd want flat on right, bevel on left. (I think)
The one in your last picture is left handed...... Correct?

Errr,,, Who's on first? 

[Justin Snyder]

Craig, he is talking about putting the handle in so it sticks out the other side of the head, it will change the direction of the bevel. I was always taught that the flat edge went toward the wood, this allows you to keep shaving wood off. I have seen it done both ways though. If the bevel is toward the wood it forces the cutting edge out of the wood so long cuts cant be made. It is just like the bevel on a draw knife. And I have seen them used both ways also.

riarcher, you have it figured out. The second one appears to be a lefty, but I'm not sure it isn't sharpened on both sides since it is a custom built axe.

[CraigMBeckett]

Thanks Justin. I said I was confused, should have said easily confused 

Craig.

[Del the cat]

I don't think it matters at all, as long as it's good steel and sharp enough to sharpen your pencil with.
I was given mine as a present many years ago, but the handle cracked so I made a 'hand and a half' handle which allows me to use it for heavier work too...
Mind I may need a lighter one now as I have a sore elbow (Aw pooor kitty )
del

[luke the drifter]

the axe in question is what they call a broad hatchet where i come from(hart county, kentucky).  extremely useful tool.  i am trying to find one reasonbly priced myself.  those things can be expensive.

[John K]

I have both a right and left handed ones, good tools !

[bobnewboy]

I use a Gransfors Bruks small carpenter's axe (model 465) for removing bulk wood.  A low angled and scary sharp blade (could probably shave with it) and only 1 and half pounds to the head make for easy working in dry wood with either hand.  If I need to remove more wood than that I'll use a power saw or wedges 

[wildman]

I built my own cabin ,used one every day ,we call them broad axes I find alot of them in antique stores fairly reasonable for the size you would be looking for, the really large ones fetch around $100 or higher  I found a three pounder for $25 works great.

[DCM4]

I use a Gransfor carving ax.  It's one sided bevel.  Works great for roughing in a green stave.

[The Gopher]

also called a "broad hatchet".