I will note that the modern crosscut saw became favored as the lumbering instrument well before the chainsaw came around, from bernie weisgerber s book an axe to grind. Many of the photographs are of axes from bernie weisgerbers personal collection. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Oct 16, 2018 the difference between felling a tree with an axe comes in how you do the back cut. If youd like to learn more about the long history and design elements of this important chopping tool, the u. Certainly, however, as long as anyone can remember, the axe has been one of the most useful tools to man. But i say with preparedness survival becoming an important element i would say that a good quality ax should be in anyones survival kit. An ax to grind, a practical ax manual, by bernie weisgerber this book was published in 1999 by the us department of agriculture. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. Kauffman american axes stephen greene press 1972 glossary of forest terms swedish centre. Dec 27, 2010 i will note that the modern crosscut saw became favored as the lumbering instrument well before the chainsaw came around, from bernie weisgerber s book an axe to grind. How bernie sanders is winning the internet youtube.
Sharpening a hatchet with the sharpmaker spyderco forums. Many of the illustrations were drawn by frederic h. An axe to grind i was lucky enough to be sent a copy of an axe to grind by bernie weisgerber. A practical axe manual, by bernie weisgerber, to learn to properly usesharpencare for an axe. When dudley cook published the ax book in 1999, he could confidently say. Aug 05, 2012 an axe should be sharpened on a regular basis, perhaps with every halfhour of use or each time a tree is cut down. Dec 11, 2012 this sentiment is also backed up by axe expert bernie weisgerber in his book an axe to grind.
To me this is the best available source for axe maintenance. An ax to grind bernie weisgerber this is the most comprehensive guide to axes that i have found. Craftsmanship in axe is very much a lost art today. Axe should be tending to business when he first lays eyes on brenna. The metal wedges tend to split the grain on the hickory handle. Heres something to think about, axe and historic preservation guru bernie weisgerber, an axe to grind, likes a straight handle on his kelly jersey pattern axe. Instead of making the back cut perfectly perpendicular to the tree like you would with a chainsaw, youre going to make another 45degree cut with your ax on the opposite side and two inches above your face cut. Simply this is the best writing on axes and their use that i have ever been fortunate enough to read. A practical ax manual issue 9923, part 2823 of special report technology and development program author. Now the us forest service still uses this facility as a working ranger station. Weisgerber has likely forgotten more about axes and axemanship than ill ever know.
Watch the video learn more about the historic trade of swinging and grinding an axe as a part of the trades alive video series. Filmed at montanas ninemile ranger station, a genuine piece of forest service history, bernie weisgerber shows how to properly maintain an axe for quality work. Learn how to sharpen your bushaxe properly epalmetto global. An axe to grind can be found as a pdf as well but a hard copy is free for the asking. Parts 1 and 2 of the program are each 30 minutes long. Glossary of forest terms swedish centre of technical terminology 1969. When compared to other popular axes in the same category, this thicker profile really stands out. The authentic lumber sexual guide to ax work survival sherpa. Bernie weisgerber s an axe to grind has a chapter on it and is generally an. Today, were going to look at axes, but first i want to show you around the ranger station. Bernie weisberger, the main dude in an axe to grind as. I will do everything i can to stop a war with iran duration. An axe to grind is a 24hour comic, penciled, inked, and written in 24 hours by an awesome team of woodchuck ninja badgers. This video set was made as a companion to the usfs document an ax to grind a practical ax manual document no.
Luckily, a new younger generation of axe experts, like ben, is starting to appear and they are helping to spread this knowledge and keep it alive for future generations. It is a great compilation of information about axes, from some history, to how to repair an old axe. He worked for the national park services historic preservation training center before coming to work for the forest service. His argument for the ax had a kind of wistful, quixotic tone, as chainsaws were then seen as status symbols for the suburban set, and axes had largely been forgotten. An axe to grind axemanship all of the greatskephart, sears, kreps, miller, etcspoke of the virtue of the axe and its importance to the woodsman. How to swing an ax preparing for chopping clear your swingingchopping area. Kochanskis primer on ax use in his book is pretty damn decent. Cheff discusses first the importance of the ax hatchet and knife to survival in addition to subjects such as fire making, shelter building, navigation, outdoor dangers, survival food procurement, shooting game and packing meat.
A practical ax manual by bernie weisgerber usda stay safe and healthy. There once was a time when every axe man made his own handle to fit his swing, his height and his axe. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Skill cult, steven edholms youtube channel axe cordwood challenge hardcore ax work to chop a cord of wood with only an ax an ax to grind, free pdf by bernie weisgerber, u. Short and tothepoint, the woodsman and his hatchet is a refreshing take on this subject. Been camping for a while, but never wanted my own ax, till recently. Now the us forest service still uses this facility as a. In the first photo, the bushman is shown in between wetterlings popular large hunting and foresters fine axes. An axe to grind a fantastic reference work on axes by. The booklet that was put out by the forest service free of charge to those who requested it was entitled an ax to grind. Also, bernie weisgerber, author of the us forest service axe manual an axe to grind says, a correctly honed edge is sharp with no wire edge. Many of the photographs are of axes from bernie weisgerber. I also requested the dvd set that is mentioned in the book but never did receive it. A practical ax manual bernie weisgerber 1999, 68 pages available from usda forest service in html.
Today you just go to the local hardware store and grab what ever they have. Beginning about 1870, ax production began to drop due to the increased use of the crosscut saw as a felling tool. He has been in charge of the northern regions historic preservation team, headquartered in missoula, mt, since 1991. A practical ax manual bernie weisgerber 1999, 68 pages. An axe should be sharpened on a regular basis, perhaps with every halfhour of use or each time a tree is cut down. Mar 19, 20 an axe to grind a fantastic reference work on axes by bernie weisgerber of the usdas office in missoula, montana. Bernard mason included a fullsize template for an ax gauge in his book woodsmanship a. Jan 19, 20 to me this is the best available source for axe maintenance. I hear you jd and, honestly, it factors in somewhere to almost everything i buy.
Welcome to my predjudiced and opinionated ideas on survival stuff. They are both very good and borrow from masons woodsmanship extensively. Erle stanley gardner was an american lawyer and author of detective stories who also published under the pseudonyms a. It was written in 1999 by bernie weisgerber for the department of agriculture forest service. In this 3part series on the ax, weve talked about the tools history and anatomy, and how to choose the right one for your needs. Many of the photographs are of axes from bernie weisgerber s personal collection. Weisgerber has likely forgotten more about axes and. Forest service, bernie weisgerber goes over the basic techniques for axe grinding and axe work. Below is a pdf you can download called, an ax to grind a practical ax manual.
An axe to grind a practical ax manual book 781945 bookemon. Bernie weisgerber is a historic preservation specialist for the usda forest service. Hi, im bernie weisgerber, and ive got an axe to grind. Have an axe to grind meaning in the cambridge english. I would also invite you to look at the companion video program, an ax to grind. If you followed procedures, your edge should be sharp enough to shave with figure 73. Its main focus is an encyclopedic description of american axe manufacturers, with a few pages dedicated to some foreign companies. But the ax, in one form or another, has been around for over 10,000 yearseven longer if you consider some of the crude stone tools used as axes by early man. I just tried my hand at axe use today old snow and neally, been in the family for about 60 years, handled with hornbeam from the family land in northern new hampshire and it was a freaking. Innovative and restless in his nature, he was bored by the routine of. It is not a complete listing, but is an excellent resource. The illustration was also reproduced in the usfs manual an ax to grind by bernie weisgerber document no. Lets see those photos, videos, and talk about anything related to them. The authors knowledge and expertise obviously came from growing up and using an axe extensively in an era when the axe was the primary tool used for woodcutting, but he has not limited the text to only the use of an axe.
Gransfors bruks bijlen boek by baptist arnhem bv issuu. The steel is not of the same quality as it was in the old days. Wille sundqvist swedish carving techniques the taunton press 1990. Mar 16, 2012 hi, im bernie weisgerber, and ive got an axe to grind. On the same page, bernie weisgerber lists his favorite as straight octagonal slim taper, shown at the bottom of figure 39 of his book. An ax to grind by bernie weisgerber post by jd spydo thu apr 19, 2012 12. I cant see any reason why you would want to do that to a properly hung ax. It covers a bit of everything, from history to axe use. Jan 16, 2017 bernie weisgerber in his manual published by the u. Mar 02, 2016 however, an ax sometimes spelled axe isnt just a crude wood handle with a sharp metal wedge at the endtheres a lot more to this seemingly simple tool than you might think. Bernie weisgerber in his manual published by the u.
Just finding logs and large branches to cut up, makes me want to buy my own. My favorite ax bernie weisgerber is a historic preservation specialist for the usda forest service. Today well conclude the series by offering a primer on how to use your ax safely and effectively. Copies are available from mtdc at the address on the inside of the back cover. Vintage kelly registered michigan double bit axe from. Jul 23, 2012 heres something to think about, axe and historic preservation guru bernie weisgerber, an axe to grind, likes a straight handle on his kelly jersey pattern axe. A practical ax manual, by bernie weisgerber an ax to grind. Forest service an ax to grind argues vehemently against a secondary wedge. Watch here is the complete video parts 1 2 combined of an ax to grind featuring region 1 historic preservation team leader bernie weisgerber. I have a directory with copies of all the articles from the now closed outdoormagazine. A brief look at the history of the ax, especially its evolution in america types and patterns of axes and adzes, showcasing some examples from my personal collection and some from old catalogs how to hang and sharpen an ax, two essential skills for anyone using an ax.
The axe book by scout library kraal fuego wfisspain issuu. A minute spent on sharpening may shorten your chopping time by 5 minutes. A practical ax manual, is published by the us department of agriculture forest service. Outside of bernie weisgerber author of an axe to grind, mors kochanski, ray mears and a few others, there are not many axe experts left. This well written story will suck you in as you are introduced to axe and brenna.
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