After a bit of research, I discovered my rough sand-cast copper axe was
actually not much different in size and shape from Otzi's so I thought it
was time to find a handle and use it as an axe rather than a knife.
After a few preliminary blows held by mole-grips, and an adjustment of the
cutting edge angle, I set out into the woods looking for a knobbly tree. To
cut a long story short, I now have a copper axe, and although it requires a
slightly different technique using bit more care, it really is a fine tool.
Indeed, my 11yr son thought it was superior to the hand-axe (possibly
because it was sharper - possibly because it was a better weight).
Now as a man that owns three (sorry four) axes, has on his xmas list a
fifth, I know my axes, and this copper axe is not a felling axe. OK, I can
get through a 4" fresh log with relative ease - and when I (un)learn some of
the bad technique an iron axe lets you get away I won't have to hammer it
back in line after every tree, but why would someone thrash such a nice
blade on chopping big logs?
Surely, it would be simpler just to light a fire at the base, and stoke it
for a few hours and watch the tree fall over with almost no effort?
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