Axes and Hatches

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Axes and Hatches
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• Though both the axe the hatchet are highly
  useful to the woodsman, weight usually eliminates
  one, then the scout has the problem of
  selecting the best tool. Experts favor the sort
  axe which is carried in your pack never on the
  belt. Select your type of axe just as you do a
  pair of shoes. It must fit you in handle
  length, weight appereance , of course, must do
  the job at hand. The right axe soon become a
  reliable old friend.

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• Good axemen treat their axes like a wildcat does
  his teeth.
• They keep the blade sharp enough to bite as well
  as chew.
• A dull axe is dangerous, it slips skips does
  not cut.
• Keep the handle tight with wedges.
• Keep the axe off the ground.
• It belongs its sheath or in a block, never where
  it is dangerous to yourself or others.

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• An axe is not a pick or a hoe.
• But a poleaxe ( one with a flat surface opposite
  the blade) may be a hammer, maul, or wedge if it
  is struck only against or by wood.
• 2 old loggerss jingles to remember are
• Clear the ground an axe length around,
• On lookers stay two axe lengths away,
• -- to which we add that an axe length is the
  combined length of your arm axe.

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• In passing the axe to another person, hold it by
  the handle, with head down, be sure that the
  receiver has a firm grip on it before you let go.
• Never leave an axe lying unprotected on the
  ground, the moisture of the soil will rust the
  blade.
• Handle every axe as though it were loaded.
• Use it with common sense as well as strength.

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To Split Wood

• Put axe against wood bring both down on
  chopping block together.

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To Split a Log

• Rest it against chopping block together on side
  away from you

FOR MAXIMUM POWER ( SAFETY) USE BOTH HANDS IN
SWINGING THE AXE, KEEPING THE STRONGER ARM NEARER
THE BODY
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To Chop a Stick

• Rest it across chopping block, with end in ground
  or under log

FOR MAXIMUM POWER ( SAFETY) USE BOTH HANDS IN
SWINGING THE AXE, KEEPING THE STRONGER ARM NEARER
THE BODY
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• When sharpening an axe, knife or a bolo always
  try to use an old fashioned whetstone.
• It will take longer than if sharpened on a modern
  composition stone but the result will be much
  better.
• If the axe, knife, bolo is badly nicked o very
  dull, start sharpening it with a fine file before
  using a stone.
• There are whetstones that are embedded in
  woodblocks this make for stability while
  sharpening.
• Keep the whetstones firm otherwise it will take
  you a long time to sharpen your axe, or the
  result will not be satisfactory, or worse still,
  you might get hurt.

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To Sharpen Axe, Knife or Bolo

• Lay the blade flat on the whetstone.
• Moisten the surface of the whetstone first with a
  few drops of oil or water.
• With an edge towards you, raise the back very
  slightly draw the blade over the stone toward
  you.
• Later turn the blade over, edge away from you,
  and push it away from you for several strokes.
• Continue working on the side, one rough the
  other fine, use the rough side first finish
  with the fine side.

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A sharp knife or axe are signs of a sharp
woodsman. Skill in keeping them sharp comes
through practice.

• With axe head embedded firmly in a log. File side
  of head gradually working to the cutting edge.
• File contact with axe on the down stroke only.
• Protect hand with a block of wood or a heavy
  guard of leather.

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• File the V-shaped part
• File straight down on side of axe-head at first
  file same way on other side.
• File at angle to axe only for the final
  sharpening.
• Work in form the edge rounding slightly repeat on
  other side and then hone.
• Use a rotary motion in holding your axe.