What is it with axes?

Out of curiosity, what diameter of logs are people processing for firewood (when camping) that require an axe to split them? How are you cutting the logs into sections beforehand?

See photo in post #11

In AZ, if it's dead, or dead and down, regardless of size, it's fair game.
 
Axe, vintage "Jeep" shovel, both with oak handles over 60 years old... bring a wedge, and a 5lbs mini-sledge.

I've used the axe to chop trees, roots, break up soil etc.. the Jeep shovel moves more dirt than a D9 Doser in the right hands. the wedge and mini are for splitting wood. these are the benefits of running a full size truck. and they are all stored inside the bed, under the cover.

one thing I have yet to hear people comment on is GLOVES...
 
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I have probably 4 pair of beige leather work gloves in my truck. One of them (the Klein Tools one) is lined for the winter.

Also, I keep a couple pair of warm winter gloves.
 
@slomatt up here in BC on the coast 18 to 24 inch rounds are pretty commonly found, cedar if you find it will split with an axe with almost zero effort. I use my Fisker spitting axe on the big stuff, that get's it manageable then the regular axe to get it smaller. 1 good sized round will keep me all night and the next morning
 
one thing I have yet to hear people comment on is GLOVES...

That is what callouses are for.

Seriously.

I have gloves. Quite a number of pair for different tasks. And I am pretty picky about some of those glove/task combinations. And I don't like gloves with a swinging tool (axe, maul, sledge, singlejack, hammer...). Gloves interfere with a good grip, proper control and proper feedback from the tool. So I have callouses.

Maybe that makes me one of the elite...

Yeah. Right.
 
That is what callouses are for.

Seriously.

I have gloves. Quite a number of pair for different tasks. And I am pretty picky about some of those glove/task combinations. And I don't like gloves with a swinging tool (axe, maul, sledge, singlejack, hammer...). Gloves interfere with a good grip, proper control and proper feedback from the tool. So I have callouses.

Maybe that makes me one of the elite...

Yeah. Right.
I go both ways when it comes to gloves. and my hands are like stones. lol. but I do prefer to wear truckers gloves when I work a shovel or pull brush.
 
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I go both ways when it comes to gloves. and my hands are like stones. lol. but I do prefer to wear truckers gloves when I work a shovel or pull brush.

Yep.

Those are situations where gloves make sense. Especially brush.

Gloves have a great many uses. They also serve well as hotpads!
 
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That is what callouses are for.

Seriously.

I have gloves. Quite a number of pair for different tasks. And I am pretty picky about some of those glove/task combinations. And I don't like gloves with a swinging tool (axe, maul, sledge, singlejack, hammer...). Gloves interfere with a good grip, proper control and proper feedback from the tool. So I have callouses.

Maybe that makes me one of the elite...

Yeah. Right.
I go both ways when it comes to gloves. and my hands are like stones. lol. but I do prefer to wear truckers gloves when I work a shovel or pull brush.

I always feel like I'm gonna send my axe flying when I use gloves. But I also have pretty strong hands for using pliers everyday for the last 5 years
 
I always feel like I'm gonna send my axe flying when I use gloves. But I also have pretty strong hands for using pliers everyday for the last 5 years
I use truckers gloves that I buy one size too small. that I soak in water then put them on and stretch them to fit... and then work them so they dry. after that... they stick to anything.
 
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I use a Tomahawk over an Axe. An Axe is the better chopper however IMO the Tomahawk is more versatile. I can take the head off for shaving and can even use it as an ulu if I wanted. It's got a hammer pole on the back so no problem with tent stakes. I also bring a silky big boy for cutting wood as a saw is more efficient than an axe for cutting.
 
I use a Tomahawk over an Axe. An Axe is the better chopper however IMO the Tomahawk is more versatile. I can take the head off for shaving and can even use it as an ulu if I wanted. It's got a hammer pole on the back so no problem with tent stakes. I also bring a silky big boy for cutting wood as a saw is more efficient than an axe for cutting.
Tomahawk is a better combat weapon... but there are a few combo axes marketed as tomahawks. but a modern hawk should be out of d2 tool steel or better. I had a handle shatter once on one that wasn't... be careful