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Featured Comment by Jeremy B. Buchanan on November 9, 2015 at 20:09

DLKG - Thank you for your valuable input. That helps a lot. I was already leaning towards the Husqvarna Carpenter's axe and will most likely make the purchase in the next couple of weeks.I can't wait to get it and try it for myself. 

Featured Comment by dead_left_knife_guy on November 9, 2015 at 19:55

Jeremy, I was out taking care of some brush in the yard when I saw a peach limb I'd cut in the early summer just waiting to be carved.  I pulled out the Bahco & sawed it into 3 pieces.  I had the Husqie out with me because I was hoping to get around to my spoon experiment.  I didn't use a marker to draw a shape, instead just going with some natural curves of the limb on the lowest piece.  

I roughed out a basic spoon shape in under 5 minutes, but I missed some of my cuts -- in part because it was getting dark, & in part because the Carpenter's Axe is heavy & has a long handle.  I shaved more than I'd intended off the bottom of the bowl.  I also think it could stand to be sharper, so that's my next project.

I am also seriously considering taking the handle down to about 14", though I really like that the Carpenter's Axe has a lot of versatility in this size, & the handle has a really nice swell knob at the bottom.  I can work the edge of this axe without any issues, but I really don't want to mess with that haft!

I really like my Carpenter's Ax, it was great for kindling up at the cabin this year.  When I was testing my Ontario RAT 5 -- doing some batoning -- it got stuck in a not in a chunk of cedar.  That flat ground blade was STUCK, & the relatively thin blade & flat grind were making wedging it out pretty much impossible (& there was so much friction between the entire width of the blade on both sides & the wood) it rocked up & down but wasn't coming out.

Husqvarna to the rescue!  I basically hacked at the wood around the RAT 5 until I weakened it enough to be able to pry the knife out.  Lesson learned -- flat grinds work for batoning, but not all of the time.  That same knife even worked on the same knot when the chunk of log was turned 90 degrees (I'm a glutton for punishment sometimes, but that time it was no problem).

I actually bought the Carpenter's Axe because I wanted an affordable, versatile mid-sized axe that would be suitable for slicing as well as chopping.  I have yet to get to all of the testing I've been meaning to do so I can't honestly report on its ability to substitute as a knife.  But with all the knives I have, it's been really nice to be able to turn to this axe when when an axe was more efficient.  

I doubt you'll regret the Husqvarna purchase, especially at that price (just be ready to give the edge some love).

Featured Comment by Jeremy B. Buchanan on November 7, 2015 at 20:04

DLKG - This is a no name hatchet, that I don't even remember where I got it. It is maple that was trimmed from a tree in my front yard. I have actually been considering purchasing the Husqvarna Carpenter's ax. I would like to get a versatile ax, for camping and spoon/ bowl carving. What are your thoughts for that ax being a good choice for me? You are welcome for the inspiration. Can't wait to see what you make. 

Featured Comment by dead_left_knife_guy on November 7, 2015 at 19:56

Oh, it looks like you've been having a good time!  Nice work, man!  I have to pick up on of those hatchets -- is that a vintage roofing hatchet?  And are you using maple for that spoon?

I have a Husqvarna Carpenter's Axe that has similar corners & an edge that I brought to sharp, but still haven't attempted a spoon with it.  The smaller Husqie hatchet would be a better size for spoon carving (less likely to get a handle in the side), but it doesn't have those nice crisp corners on the edge...

Thanks for the inspiration, Jeremy!

Comment by Jan Carter on November 7, 2015 at 17:55

I honestly did not expect it to be roughed with a hatchet