An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual

Using Axes, continued

Chopping Technique

Chopping is an art. Start out loose and relaxed. Hold the ax with one hand fixed just above the swell at the end of the handle. On the up-stroke, the other hand slides up the handle close to the head. On the down-stroke, it slides back down the handle. At the point of impact, it is close to the lower hand. Each blow lands exactly where it is intended, with the proper force, and at the proper angle. There is no shock to the hands or shoulders. One corner of the ax blade should always be free of the wood, so that a slight twist brings out the chip and releases the bit without undue strain.

Grip--On an ax that is hung properly to fit you, place your left hand about 1 or 2 inches from the butt end of the handle or helve. Place your right hand about three-fourths of the way up the handle. This is the proper hold for a right-handed person (Figure 76).

Drawing of the proper way to hold an ax.
Figure 76--The proper ax hold for a right-handed person
(drawing by Frederic H. Kock).

Forehand Swing--This swing is used to cut the right side of a notch. These instructions are for right-handed choppers. Raise the ax over your right shoulder, your hands in the starting position (Figure 77). Swing the ax down on the log with a very natural swing motion, your right hand sliding down the handle toward your left hand at the bottom of the handle. You will end this motion with both hands at the end of the handle when the ax strikes the wood. Do not drive the ax straight into the wood, but instead cut on an angle about 45° to 50° from the edge of the log (Figure 78). Raise the ax again, slide the right hand up about three-fourths of the way on the handle and start your next swing. Continue this motion for the forehand swing. Your left hand never leaves the end of the handle.

Drawings of a forehand swing.
Figure 77--Forehand swing
(drawings by Frederic H. Kock).

Drawing of locating a 45 degree angle.
Figure 78--Cut at a 45° angle to be most effective
(drawing by Frederic H. Kock).

Backhand Swing--The backhand swing is used to cut the left side of the notch (Figure 79). Bring the ax over the right shoulder as in the forehand swing, but shift your body well to the left so that the ax comes down more in line with the left side of the notch. This backhand swing is somewhat more difficult to master gracefully. Proper ax use always includes these two motions, the forehand swing and the backhand swing, always over the right shoulder for right-handed choppers. Changing hand positions instead of using or developing the back swing technique is not considered acceptable ax use.

Drawings of a backhand swing.
Figure 79--Backhand swing
(drawings by Frederic H. Kock).

Accuracy is the only thing that counts; the force of the swing is not nearly as important as its placement. Chop with a series of strokes: the top, the bottom, and then the middle (Figure 80). If you chop in that order (top, bottom, middle) with both the forehand swing and the backhand swing, the chip will fly out after your last cut. On your last cut in the middle on the backhand swing, you should give a slight twist to the ax as you sink it into the wood to pop the chip out. Swing with a natural rhythmic and unforced motion. Always watch your aim. Leaving one edge of your ax blade exposed will help ensure it doesn't get stuck in the log.

Drawing showing sequence of strokes.
Figure 80--Sequence of strokes for most
efficient chopping (drawing by Frederic H. Kock).

It is best to confine yourself to one grip and do all the chopping either right- or left-handed, whichever is your natural swing. In the long run, it is important to learn to chop well both right-handed and left-handed. Being ambidextrous can save a chopper a lot of trouble in everyday work in the woods, particularly in limbing.

Other grips besides the full-swing chopping grip are used for specific tasks (Figure 81). For careful and delicate work, such as sharpening stakes, notching house logs, or some limbing, use a two-handed choked grip, with both hands grasping the ax near the center of the handle. For cutting brush or sharpening wooden wedges, use a one-handed grip at the ax's point of balance near the head. For splitting wood, cutting saplings, or sharpening stakes by yourself, use a one-handed grip, with your hand about halfway down the handle. Your spare hand should be nowhere near the ax blade during these operations!

Drawing of the three ways to grip an ax.
Figure 81--Three ways of gripping the ax for precise
strokes; a) two-handed choked grip; b) one-
handed choked grip and; c) one-handed full swing
(drawings from the Northeastern Loggers Handbook).