Side/broad Axe Advice Please

[Hammock Hamster]

Hi all,

I have just been told of a small bonus in the offing at work and have had my eye on a gransfors swedish broad axe for some time now.

Its unlikely im goign to be building any log cabins but would love one for my collection and can think of a few places i can at least put it through its paces.

What is confusing me is which one version i should be looking to get as google searchs are making my head spin.

I am right handed and "think" i should be getting it bevelled on the right and forged to the left???

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers, Hamster

 

[rg598]

There are different ways to hold it, so that will change exactly what you need. I am right handed, and I use a hold similar to what I would use on a felling axe, and I do the work on my left side. Because of that I need an axe where the handle is offset to the right (when holding the handle and looking down), and a flat surface on the left side/beveled on the right (again when holding the handle and looking down.

Here you can see one that I have hung the way I like it.

[video=youtube;zza6qY-WtHw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zza6qY-WtHw[/video]

However, I don't use broad axes much, so take what I say with a grain on salt. This is just what feels comfortable to me. Here you can see some use of a broad axe (the relevant part is at about the 20 min mark):

[video=youtube;ojyl-dS4tRE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojyl-dS4tRE[/video]

 

[Bundleman]

If you're right handed you'll want the bevel on the right side.

 

[Ian S]

And just to confuse matters, I have a symmetrical grind, symmetrical handled broad axe, and I'm right handed.

I chose this one to be able to do 'everything' reasonably well, rather than some things brilliantly and other things badly.

I just need to get a chance to use it....

Cheers