An essential point to consider when using an axe is taking note of its dimensions. One should make sure that the axe that they are using is at a suitable size to help them carry out a particular task safely and effectively.
Since it is basically a lever, the axe’s handle magnifies the force of its head. Hence, aside from the strength and skill of the person using it, the optimum performance for an axe shall depend on the weight of its head and the length of its handle.
Naturally, one would experience a lot of difficulty when working with an axe whose head is too heavy. But one would find just as much trouble with an axe whose head is too light, as it would actually require one to exert more effort in swinging it. In both instances, one expends too much energy as well as risking personal safety by using an unwieldy axe.
One should always be sure that the weight of their axe’s head is appropriate for the job they would be using it for. For instance, the head of a “Tomahawk” or Camping Hatchet should be around 1.5 pounds or 300-700 grams. For cutting down trees, a Forest or Felling Axe typically has a head weighing 2 ½-3 ½ pounds, equivalent to 1.1-1.6 kilograms. The head of a Splitting Axe would be at around the same as that of a felling axe or even heavier, going up to 4 ½ pounds, equal to 2 kilograms. The head of a Splitting Maul would be 5-8 pounds, which is 2.5-3.5 kilograms. The Scout Axe (also known as the ½ Axe) has a head weighing 1.25-1.5 pounds.
The handles of each kind of axe comes in a variety of lengths, from which a user would select one that has the right feel for them. The axe that one chooses should have a handle of a length sufficient to the needs of the work and the capability of its wielder. Too long an axe handle would cause one to exert too much force, while too short a handle would exert very little of it.
The handle of a Hatchet comes in lengths of 8-14 inches, equivalent to 200-400 millimeters. A Forest Axe’s handle ranges from 28-36 inches, equal to 700-900 millimeters. A so-called “Full Axe” is one that has a handle 36 inches or 900 millimeters in length. A Camping or Utility Axe has a handle 20-24 inches or 500-600 millimeters long. Considered as an ideal camping axe, the Boy’s Axe (also called the ¾ Axe) usually has a length of 28 inches, ¾ of 36 inches being 27 inches or roughly 700 millimeters. Finally, the Scout Axe has an average handle length of 18-20 inches or 450-500 millimeters.
The axe has always been a vital tool for the outdoorsman, and its usefulness can only be enhanced by our familiarity with it. It is important to be aware of the differences in size and length of the axe’s heads and handles to determine which axe-type is best suited for a designated chore, and to verify the proper way of using it with high efficiency and low risk.