Anyone have any favorite axe types???
When out dong whatever, like hunting, the only other type of cutting tool I've ever carried has been either a small hatchet or break-down Wyoming saw. If in a vehicle sometimes I've carried some form of axe. But did come across something different a few weeks ago.
Since the focus is usually on knives thought I'd throw in something new to me. Recently I had the opportunity to see an unusual axe in action in rural Africa. These axes are likely a regional thing and all are forged in some of the villages. The metal is salvaged from broken vehicle leaf springs and the handles are a specific type of secondary limb growth from mopane trees that have been knocked over by elephants. The blade is long and narrow and the pointed end is simply held by wedging friction in a hole in the large end of the handle. Mopane wood is extremely dense and fibrous. It is one of the most common hardwoods in this area of Southcentral Africa. Other common hardwoods include ebony, leadwood, mahogany and some others I'm not familiar with. The leading edge of this blade is only about 3 1/8" long. My theory about its effectiveness is the relatively large amount of energy focused behind and on the relatively small cutting edge.... especially for cross cutting tough, dense hardwoods. Watching these axes and the tough fellows swinging them..... felling and limbing these hardwoods was truly impressive! BTW, I never saw a chainsaw or any other form of power equipment being used by the locals and foot or bicycle are the primary modes of transport. The only engine I heard running was a long stroke single cylinder small popper that ran the village corn mill once or twice a week.