I love carving with an axe, it's like meditation for me - these days I let the wood guide me, by doing this I am now sculpting as opposed to producing bowls and spoons. I just can't swing 800grams for 3hrs, so I use a mini axe, often between 370 and 600 grams.
Great breakdown of axe features, just what I am looking for. I have the GB mini and see the advantage of a lighter weight carver/bushcraft. Bow making stave reduction will be main usage for me thanks B.B.
Really enjoyed your video . Just wounded have you had any experience with the gransfors bruks large carving axe look forward to your opinion take care keep up the great vids 👍
@@darrengreaves3068 I got my own line of custom axes for over 5 years now because I couldn't find on the market what I'd consider a well made and properly balanced axe. Check it out on my website Woodsmansfinest.com cheers for the kind comment
Thx for the time and insights Max. Hope what I scribble here makes sense. You are right, the HK is a great tool. I had one, loved how it cut and the control I had with it. My only beef was the 'thin' (for my hands) handle although I liked it's geometry. I didn't want to do the hockey tape trick to beef it up. I sold mine but would consider getting one again. As heavy hitter/work horse iI use the GB carving axe, the 1kg beast. I can do everything with it and am after nearly three years appreciate the finesse cuts and control I now have with it. Love that blade. My go-to carver is a Nic Westermann axe. It weighs in around 747gr and I have to admit that it took me a while to gel with it. It balances upside down as well. We did become friends although I still want to lengthen the left side bevel. It wasn't as sweet as the HK right off the bat for me. The NW surprises me in how it handles waste removal because I initially thought it was going to be too light. It's not. It eats the waste wood and tickles the spon blanks ;) I like the fact that the bit is closer to the hand when choking right up on the handle with an elegant heel and toe for controlled cuts. The butt is rustic, not as pronounce like the HK and not as 'head hand gripping' as your ax design. Curvature is an interesting point. The GB carving axe has plenty, the KH noticably less and therefor also useful as a carpenter's axe (one if its names). The NW has more and enough for good slicing and controlled cuts. Some like long blades, I find longer than the HK really nice for slicing through the wood :) I'd love to try your design one day. cheers.
Myron Unrau I hear you. My axe has a 30 degree bevel and the spoon blanks basically strip themselves... because the whole axe is wedge shaped... the extreme taper/hollow in the cheeks of a lot of Swedish axes is cutting deep but not throwing the chips. Mine... without me really giving as much attention to it in designing... happens to kill it when it comes to throwing chips. My axe weighs 750g.. like you NW. And mine has an even closer distance between hand and edge than the HK. At the end of the day the video was ment to be about relative weights and absolute weights of axes. The curvature became an additional factor as I went. I just love axes... but at the end of the day instead of getting too caught up... I gotta make stock. Lol
I do giant bowls all day,the handles come loose continuously,does the solid (plastic)handle fishers small axe compare with these,or is there another composite handle axe,preferably with cold powdered steel hardness
great video! i am a fan of yours and your work. i am looking to purchase the Gränsfors Swedish Carving Axe which weighs in at 2 + pounds. I am mainly getting this because I have the opportunity to get a good discount on one but i also dont have any other options as they are all sold out everywhere that i look. i looked around and i like the woodsmans finest carving axe. not only the look of it but for the blade profile and the fact that it is medium weight. the Gränsfors Swedish Carving Axe looks like a quality axe but it is more on the heavy side but i am hoping it serves me well for making spoon blanks. if anybody has some good suggestions for a great carving axe that i can contently purchase in or have shipped to Canada - please let me know!
How many axes do you need? If you work with one long enough you get used to it. That axe you so called made the are lots made like that in Scandinavia..
You are a very negative and not quite knowledgeable person when it comes to axes and tools so I wonder why you comment. Please take this negative attitude somewhere else. This here is for people who want to learn not for the ones seeking to spread uninformed opinions.
Next preorder in June. Handmade item and the wait list is about 16 months just like with Karlsson, Westermann, djärv etc.... That's what it means to get a truly specialized and handmade tool for generations to use. Stay tuned on my channels and platforms please, I'll have another option for you all soon...
Max I love your videos and craftsmanship but you will have to come up with a better explanation of the balance and pivot point which BTW its proper name is center of gravity. Keep up the excellent videos, thank you!
Not my first language... I think I am explaining the balance over and over in my specific axe reviews and that it has to do with material distribution between bit and poll. I think the info came across. My explanations seem to really help a lot of people ... so I am okay with one being not perfect every once in a while. Can't make it right for everyone.
IT IS PERSONAL CHOICE. THIS ALSO SOUNDS LIKE A SELLING PITCH. I AM NOT SLAGGING THE AXE DOWN. ALL DIFFERENT AXES HAVE THEIR OWN PLACE. DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING
Well I think I mentioned that often enough in the video... of course they all have their place... as I mentioned as well... did you watch the video or are you just typing in all capitols...?
Cheers... Old video... New ones are very different... I'm also offering my experience for free and put a lot of money and time into these videos, so if I wanna tell a story, I do so. There is usually something to be learned there too. Good feedback nonetheless!
I love carving with an axe, it's like meditation for me - these days I let the wood guide me, by doing this I am now sculpting as opposed to producing bowls and spoons. I just can't swing 800grams for 3hrs, so I use a mini axe, often between 370 and 600 grams.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Look forward to more.
Great breakdown of axe features, just what I am looking for. I have the GB mini and see the advantage of a lighter weight carver/bushcraft. Bow making stave reduction will be main usage for me thanks B.B.
Cheers... I do recommend the heaviest Axe possible though. Just superior in safety, efficiency and accuracy.
Really enjoyed your video . Just wounded have you had any experience with the gransfors bruks large carving axe look forward to your opinion take care keep up the great vids 👍
@@darrengreaves3068 I got my own line of custom axes for over 5 years now because I couldn't find on the market what I'd consider a well made and properly balanced axe. Check it out on my website Woodsmansfinest.com cheers for the kind comment
@woodsmansfinest3814 thank you so much for getting back to me I will have a look . Take care buddy 👍
Enjoyed the video. A honest and knowledgeable approach. Huge fan of Liams as well as yours. Keep em coming bro...
Thanks man! Very much appreciating your comment! Cheers
Great video as usual max thank you
Thank YOU!
Thx for the time and insights Max.
Hope what I scribble here makes sense. You are right, the HK is a great tool. I had one, loved how it cut and the control I had with it. My only beef was the 'thin' (for my hands) handle although I liked it's geometry. I didn't want to do the hockey tape trick to beef it up. I sold mine but would consider getting one again.
As heavy hitter/work horse iI use the GB carving axe, the 1kg beast. I can do everything with it and am after nearly three years appreciate the finesse cuts and control I now have with it. Love that blade.
My go-to carver is a Nic Westermann axe. It weighs in around 747gr and I have to admit that it took me a while to gel with it. It balances upside down as well. We did become friends although I still want to lengthen the left side bevel. It wasn't as sweet as the HK right off the bat for me. The NW surprises me in how it handles waste removal because I initially thought it was going to be too light. It's not. It eats the waste wood and tickles the spon blanks ;) I like the fact that the bit is closer to the hand when choking right up on the handle with an elegant heel and toe for controlled cuts. The butt is rustic, not as pronounce like the HK and not as 'head hand gripping' as your ax design.
Curvature is an interesting point. The GB carving axe has plenty, the KH noticably less and therefor also useful as a carpenter's axe (one if its names). The NW has more and enough for good slicing and controlled cuts. Some like long blades, I find longer than the HK really nice for slicing through the wood :)
I'd love to try your design one day. cheers.
Myron Unrau I hear you. My axe has a 30 degree bevel and the spoon blanks basically strip themselves... because the whole axe is wedge shaped... the extreme taper/hollow in the cheeks of a lot of Swedish axes is cutting deep but not throwing the chips. Mine... without me really giving as much attention to it in designing... happens to kill it when it comes to throwing chips. My axe weighs 750g.. like you NW.
And mine has an even closer distance between hand and edge than the HK.
At the end of the day the video was ment to be about relative weights and absolute weights of axes. The curvature became an additional factor as I went. I just love axes... but at the end of the day instead of getting too caught up... I gotta make stock. Lol
I do giant bowls all day,the handles come loose continuously,does the solid (plastic)handle fishers small axe compare with these,or is there another composite handle axe,preferably with cold powdered steel hardness
Please check out my videos about my Journeyman and Karelia axes. Those are the tough steel you need and won't let you down.
great video! i am a fan of yours and your work. i am looking to purchase the Gränsfors Swedish Carving Axe which weighs in at 2 + pounds. I am mainly getting this because I have the opportunity to get a good discount on one but i also dont have any other options as they are all sold out everywhere that i look. i looked around and i like the woodsmans finest carving axe. not only the look of it but for the blade profile and the fact that it is medium weight. the Gränsfors Swedish Carving Axe looks like a quality axe but it is more on the heavy side but i am hoping it serves me well for making spoon blanks. if anybody has some good suggestions for a great carving axe that i can contently purchase in or have shipped to Canada - please let me know!
9HomeWorlds I see your point. Go for it... Also the Karlsson axe... But my axe will be available for pre-order soon.
Educative tips!
Thank you for watching.
Nice axe
I'm definitely lucky to be able to use such fine tools!
How many axes do you need? If you work with one long enough you get used to it. That axe you so called made the are lots made like that in Scandinavia..
You are a very negative and not quite knowledgeable person when it comes to axes and tools so I wonder why you comment. Please take this negative attitude somewhere else. This here is for people who want to learn not for the ones seeking to spread uninformed opinions.
Who is the maker of axe #2 the heavy hitter?
Haven't seen anything when they are going to be selling
Next preorder in June. Handmade item and the wait list is about 16 months just like with Karlsson, Westermann, djärv etc.... That's what it means to get a truly specialized and handmade tool for generations to use. Stay tuned on my channels and platforms please, I'll have another option for you all soon...
Max I love your videos and craftsmanship but you will have to come up with a better explanation of the balance and pivot point which BTW its proper name is center of gravity. Keep up the excellent videos, thank you!
Not my first language... I think I am explaining the balance over and over in my specific axe reviews and that it has to do with material distribution between bit and poll. I think the info came across. My explanations seem to really help a lot of people ... so I am okay with one being not perfect every once in a while. Can't make it right for everyone.
Woodsmans Finest - hey don’t worry about it Max . We get your explanation nicely 👍 .
Mark Wilson Thank you for saying that mate!
👍👍🤠🤠
Svante djarv? D y know it?
Of course... I've been in this industry for a long time. Great tools, but not my preference.
IT IS PERSONAL CHOICE. THIS ALSO SOUNDS LIKE A SELLING PITCH. I AM NOT SLAGGING THE AXE DOWN. ALL DIFFERENT AXES HAVE THEIR OWN PLACE. DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING
Well I think I mentioned that often enough in the video... of course they all have their place... as I mentioned as well... did you watch the video or are you just typing in all capitols...?
john Mutton yep.... watch the video, I struggle to hear or read a point to what your yacking on about....
You offer really good information but you take forever to get to it.
Cheers... Old video... New ones are very different... I'm also offering my experience for free and put a lot of money and time into these videos, so if I wanna tell a story, I do so. There is usually something to be learned there too. Good feedback nonetheless!
@@woodsmansfinest3814 fast forwarding is an option. Your presentation is totally fine in my humble view.
Like to kno how much
Visit Hoffman Blacksmithing for that please.
I feel I like I watched this throughout and walked away with nothing..
Wow... Way to spend extra time on being discouraging and mean... Where's your content genius? Anything? No...?