WWA Info Exchange

For Woodworkers By Woodworkers
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:13 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: What's a lefty to do?
PostPosted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:29 pm 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:01 am
Posts: 4950
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Hey Folks,
As usual, it's been too long since the last puzzler. So here's and easy on to get back in the swing of things.

As you should know, a broad axe (or hatchet) has and asymmetrical blade and handle, so that the user can swing the axe closely to the work and hew to a line. So what do you do if (like me) you're left handed?

I'll relax the rules a bit this time so that you can use the internet and look up some images of broad axes and figure it out that way.

Cheers,
Tom

_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 2:28 am 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2003 12:01 am
Posts: 2056
Location: Mountain City, Texas
Flip the head on the handle so that the bevel is on the right side of the downward thrust.

Don


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 9:19 am 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:35 pm
Posts: 3620
Location: Hutchinson Ks
It is either what Don said (my first thought also) or just chop in the opposite direction that a right hander would go.
I really have no idea because it has been years since I've even owned an ax of any type. :)

Rog


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 4:39 pm 
Offline
Veteran

Joined: Sat May 13, 2000 12:01 am
Posts: 382
Location: Silver City NM USA July
It appears this is the time to become ambidextrous like me. I'm left handed and on the farm there are numerous things that have to be done right-handed, case in point a scythe.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 12:26 pm 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:44 am
Posts: 3951
Location: Skagit Co WA
Nothing money can't solve:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/gran ... adaxe.aspx


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:45 pm 
Offline
Veteran
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:01 am
Posts: 4950
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Hey Guys,

Gee, I really hoped for more participation, but I guess I've been absent myself, so I can't really gripe.

Well anyway, Don came closest to the answer I was looking for. The bit left unaddressed by Don is the curvature of the handle. In North American style broad axes, the head is symmetrical top to bottom, with an asymmetric bevel. So a lefty would, as Don said, flip the head over top to bottom. The problem is the handle. The handle curves outward from the head to the foot, away from the log being hewn, giving the user room for his hands while hewing to the line. A lefty would have to bend a new handle to the opposite curve.

I'll toss a half point to Dennis for coming up with the crazy (IMHO) Skandihoovian solution of forging two different shaped heads. Why on earth? Oh well. :confused:

Cheers,
Tom

_________________
"There is no path to peace, peace is the path."
Mohandas K. Ghandi
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group