wow, that sounds as though it makes sense and i remember my father using lots of different motions so can almost envisage how it looks but id like to be able to say, is it ready for the next stage now? how would i know that? id really love to find somoene near me in norfolk so i could go sit and be shown
to say my axe is blunt is a gross understatement. its old, the head was loose but i have hammered in a wedge which seems to be secure and now i need to try to get some kind of edge on it. i am doing a level 3 forest leaders course and am new to this site but already can see what a mine of information it is.
my axe is a different shape from these, looking at the cheek, the head is symetrical with the same curved shaping as the one you show but curved on both sides so it resembles a woman in a ball gown... bizarre... is this an ok axe for bushcraft use, at this stage all im doing is pointing poles? it has a convex blade with some damage to the toe.
i have a sharpening stone, (maybe the axe stone you refer to above?)it is rectangular about 15cm x 4cm, approx 2/3 light grey and 1/3 darker grey. the edges feel rough with the darker material feeling the rougher but the surfaces of it feel smooth and the lighter side looks to be contaminated with black something. i do remember buying this and trying to sharpen something a few years ago and failing miserably, i think it was a scythe i was trying to sharpen. any advice as regards what this is and whether it is suitable for my purpose would be gratefully received
i guess i need to start by buying myself a coarse crosscut and a fine metal file?
i havent fully found my way around this forum yet, are there ever informal campouts, where i might come along and be advised as im working?