Can a Big Axe Do More Work? 6lb Elwell Axe vs 2.5lb Mueller
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- čas přidán 1. 05. 2022
- Some people say a heavy axe does more work, of course that is a flawed sweeping statement.
An axe of between 2.5lb and 3.5lb is really the best balance of head speed, power and control. 6lb is far too much
Ben, you can't imagine how much i learned from your content during these months, both the sharpening axe videos you made were really useful, what i like is that what you work on your axes has a really good both theoretical and practical basis, keep up the nice work on the channel man!
happy to help
He's right.
You've got great info.
And not with a lot of talks on and on (and on) as can be seen in some video's .. But pretty straight to the point.
If you are used to using axes i think a heavy axe is o.k. as you use the weight accurately without forcing it. Once you start forcing it it becomes tiring and less accurate. Nice to see someone actually cut trees off at the right level with an axe . I know you can go back and level up with a chainsaw but that is another job.
Saying that a big axe does more work than a small axe basically equals to saying that a truck is faster than a car. Well, it can be, but it uses more fuel… same goes for humans and axes
That's a great allegory! Thanks
I like to say that the great thing about a boys axe is you can swing it all day; the problem is sometimes you have to swing it all day. Honestly, I kinda prefer my 5 lb fallers axe over the boys axe, even for limbing. The handle is short enough that I can use it with one hand to cut kindling. But fatigue can be an issue, so if I plan to be out for awhile, I grab the boys axe.
I agree with you for crosscutting. I'm sure it was just an oversight because you have older videos on splitting. But for people that aren't aware, heavier axes with thick profiles are great for splitting. Not all splitting needs to be done with a 6-8lb maul. I prefer vintage full sized axes for splitting.
Of course, for splitting work the lightest i use is 4lb but generally 6 or 7lb. Its the pace of work is much faster chopping compared to splitting
I use a 3.5lbs old True Temper Michigan for splitting the modern designed maul I got kind of sucks to be honest.
I just hung a couple 2.5lb heads for general cutting work. I think heavier head make more sense for bucking big, stationary logs (and for splitting). But the smaller stuff is more efficient for cutting camp-size timber.
Agreed! I have limbed dozens of Birch, Aspen, Douglas Fir and White Spruce with axes between 2.5 to 3lbs, with hafts between 24" and 28". I have felled numerous 6" to 12" trees with axes of the same size, I find accuracy is good, less so with axes 3.5 to 4.5lb. This is not to say that the bigger axes cannot bring a tree down quicker on occasion, but it gets more fatiguing, more quickly and the opportunity for accidents and innacurate axemanship. As for bucking, the larger axes come into their own as gravity makes more efficient use of their weight. I just rehafted a 4lb Bahco Forest Axe (Austrian/Bavarian style profile) this is on a 30" Red Oak handle...I look forward to some bucking with it when the snow clears. Keep upthe Good Work Ben,
Thank you very much .
Jun. 18th 2022 Sat. 18:17
from Yokohama City Japan
i like the your talk about using a axe instead of a chainsaw on branches thats just great
So many variables to consider, but I think the endurance issue with the heavy axe would be a factor for most.
Wise words and good analysis as always Ben. Heavy axes are only better if we can get gravity working for us. So if the target is high from the ground, or if the angle of swing if more horizontal than vertical, it gets too tiring. That's a great video that I hope a lot of beginners will watch to understand that heavy is not better nor manlier.
Yeah very tiring and awkward for limbing, to be honest i'd say even 4lb is too much for most beginers
Brilliant video.. years ago in this country nobody was allowed to cut trees down.. especially oak ,iron men on wooden ships and all that.. with the way the energy bills are going keep every scrap of wood you can get 😁 doing a stone walling job last week and told one of the younger lads to go to the builders merchants to get a sledgehammer to dress the big lumps of stone and he come back with a 28lber😳we let him loose on it and he lasted an hour..think age comes experience..all the best Lincoln 👍🤙
damn, I'm not a fan of swinging a 14lb sledge for too long. I'm surprised anybody stocks 28lb ones
@@benscottwoodchopper they build us tough in Cumbria 😁.. I've just turned 50 so I can use a 7lb all day 😜btw bought a tuatahi camp axe and I used it camping over the weekend in Northumberland.. best axe I've used for a couple of nights out in the woods 😳 worth every penny 👍
Where can you buy a 28lb sledge?
@@yoman2854 you can buy them on eBay but I would go for an old one 😉a 56lber is harder to find 😁all the best Lincoln 🤙👍
Super video and very well presented! I do like the handle on the Elwell.
Your accuracy and precision literally makes me freak. Ben my friend, I (play) with my axes almost every day for over a year now and I’m nowhere near, not even a smudge of your skill! BUT! It’s because of you and your videos that I’m where I am now. I can fell in almost half the time it used to take me. Thank you again my friend for being so informative. People like me really benefit from people like you 👍
Its just practice and repetition. Glad my videos have helped
That things a beast! Great vid👍
Lovely revisit to this topic 👌
I was always determined to use a heavy axe in the past, but you've helped me see the light so I'm looking to buy either a Muller, Ochsenkopf or a Hultafors with a wide cutting edge for felling.
Excellent video.
That Müller definitely has a deep bite.
Amazing 👌.
Those wide bit muller biber axes when you ping the blade with your finger nail they sing. Love that, I use my version of the Muller Biber you use in this video for anything up to 5 inch wide. 2 cuts and done. On the smaller stuff yeah I found one hand chopping was just about OK not massively convenient but doable. Hadn't used my 6.5 Elwell for a while so this was a nice side by side tyvm!
Great vid !
Quite a humid day, you did really well to do all that chopping. :)
That thing is just massive. I would think it’s more effective from overhead
I use a bypass looper for those very small diameter branches and limbs. Even, a bow saw is handy. A chainsaw flip flops those small canopy tops making the chainsaw inefficient at limbing. I love a chainsaw but its not always the answer and basic hand tools can be more comfortable and effective for smaller clean up tasks and chores. We think a like, Sir Ben Scott.
Another great video, just wondering how much difference you find between a 2 and 2.5 lb axe? For me it really doesnt seem to be very much, so about how much weight difference would you estimate is needed to produce a noticeable difference? Too, it would be cool to see a video with some tips/ strategy for efficient wood processing. Finding ways to streamline the process can make a much bigger difference than minor equipment and technique improvements IMO.
Who needs a gym when you can swing that beast about! That will get you get you fit for the competition season Ben!
@Fred Ol bulk does help but its 90% technique
@Fred Ol oh yeah seen that before. That is the shittiest cut ive ever seen in timbersports lol
Accuracy is more important than power. With accuracy you can efficiently delivery blows to the right place. Without accuracy, your extra powerful blows are wasted. That's what I have observed anyway.
Absolutely, accuracy is the most important aspect
I completely agree with you on the 2 1/2- 3 pound being the ideal size in today's day and age.
You were cutting those branches up for firewood, I have had fantastic success with lining up a bunch of brush up in a pile, with the butts toward you. Kneel down with a log between you and the brush, with one hand grab a branch and pull it toward you over the log. Use the other hand to swing your axe, the log is your chopping block. This method is extremely fast, relatively safe and easy on your back.
Thats a great way of doing it
What do you recommend in handle length for the axe? I’m 5’3” and weight 130lb
Did you have to do any serious file or grinder work on that Mueller when it came new? It looks really nice but I'd kinda prefer to not have to reprofile a new axe to get this sweet performance you're showing.
Nah they come thin but unfinished, bit of filing and you are good to go
Haha yep that 6 Pounder is a wrist snapper for lemming brother. I've tried that for curiosity's sake, not good. Thanks for the video though man
I have been trying to find this exact müller axe in north America for quite some time now but dang it's hard to find the right one. It seems like either there are lots of similar versions with similar dimensions, or the websites dont know what they are selling. Just to check, that is the müller forestry biber Canada 1000g head 2.9 cm thick and 18 cm cutting edge? Do you happen to have any suggestions? I have been looking for something nice and thin to slice through green limbs and also with a large cutting edge for hiking and trail clearing in western Canada thanks
Its a muller biber axe (not canada) advertised often as broad or extra wide 17cm 1.2kg
@@benscottwoodchopper ok thank you
Does this have the same bevel geometry with the Biber-Canada or thiner? Which one would you keep of these 2 Mullers, If you could only have 1?
Same geometry, the canada is far better. This is a limbing specialist but too wide for bucking
@@benscottwoodchopper Thank you Ben, Their site doesn't reply to messages and mails. I only found one Biber-Canada, in another shop, but it's edge profile, is not perfect looking it from the side view on their picures. I can fix thicker geometries with a file but that needs belt and I don't have one. If anybody knows where I can find a good one, I would really appriciate it. Thanks again.Keep it up!
I got a great idea! What about a video, comparing the Muller Biber Canada, with either it's twin brother from another mother the Ochsenkopf Iltis 1000, or the very similar in Specs Hultafors Felling Axe HY 10-1,2 SV or it's original brother, the Hults Bruk Kalix. Do you own any of these 3?!
Does anybody own any of those and the Muller Biber-Canade, to be able to compare them? It would be a very interesting comparison! Which one is the best overall of those 4 axes or What's their main differences?! Cheers
I have both the ochsenkop iltis canada 1000 and mueller 1000. Very similar performance but out of the box the biber is better finished
@@benscottwoodchopper I thought it would be the other way around! Thanks for the feedback!!
How much does a silver line 6lb cost where ur at
No arguments from me.
How do the Müller axes compare to the Ochsenkopf Iltis line of axes?
I prefer them, much better out of the box and less work needed
Thanks! 😊
How wide is that cutting edge on the Mueller looks really wide
Its 7", the biber canada is 5"
Where can we find that Mueller axe in Canada 😁
No idea, google it!
how long is the handle on the smaller axe?
28"
A big axe is for big wood. A small axe is for small wood . But 4 1/2 lbs is a weight that a man in chopping shape can swing all day falling timber. A smaller sharp axe is no doubt better for smaller trees and wood.
Absolutely, 4.5lb is the biggest i bother using. 6lb is too much
@@benscottwoodchopper
I think I might get a Council Boys ax and give it a try. I recently ground bevels into the China Tui I got 10 years ago. I got the head weight down to 2217 grams or 4.88 lbs. I can take a bit off the bottom of the head and round the poll if I feel I need to lighten it a bit more.
Thanks for your vid on grinding a China head ! I've watched it a few times. But could not find the grinding belts you reccomended. So, I just used my 4 1/2" angle grinder with a 16 to 20 grit disc.
I didn't have to worry about overheating anything because it, the head and ambient temperature was -26C .
Thank you again.
Appreciate your video. Nice work. But most axe questions can be answered by Bucken’ Billy Ray Smith! Real deal logger and axe man.
okay? buckin is great, he isn't the be all and end all of axes though
@@benscottwoodchopper Yes, you are correct didn’t intend to imply he is the only source for axe information. But is a reliable source of information.
@@tcl5853 yeah he is pretty good with splitting and his recent chopping videos have been decent. best guys to watch are the old videos or timbersports, lot to learn from them
@@benscottwoodchopper
Any one can split the easy splitting Doug fir he does with his "wood bullets"
I was splitting Sitka Spruce, western Hemlock , yellow Cedar and the rare Doug fir log 30 years ago with a HYTEST Forester. Faster than Buckin does 😄
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