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a good axe for roughing out staves?

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Ruddy Darter:
I'm looking for advice on a good type axe (reasonably price) for roughing out staves ( aiming to reduce down an ash stave over the weekend and want to save my draw knife edge for nearer dimensions).
I got this axe a while ago and haven't got around to properly using it as yet, is this kind adequate or am I better off looking for another type to make a better job of it?
Thanks for any advice,

 R.D.

WillS:
I just use a cheap B&Q hatchet that I put an edge on with a grinder.  You don't need anything fancy.  What's nice is that once you get used to whatever you have, you can take a bow from complete log to ready for the tiller without messing about with too many tools.  I'm sure a lot of people who use power tools feel the same way about bandsaws etc.

Ruddy Darter:
Thanks WillS, that's good to read... I picked this one up from the homebase garden section, I think it will keep a fair edge.
Using a hatchet for the majority of work seems the better way for me to go about it, I haven't got a solid bench or shave horse to clamp up to, just a rickety workmate that can be a bit of a pain, OK for finishing off on though. Also I think I will enjoy it more.

 R.D.

stuckinthemud:
Sorry RD but I can't tell off your picture what shape the blade is, or how heavy the axe is but if its sharp and it suits you then go for it.

There are a few things a good axe needs, the steel needs to be easy to sharpen but still hold a good edge, and the blade needs to be profiled to suit you and at a weight you are comfortable using.  I've got two hatchets, a cheapy off the local market I use for splitting and wedging out staves, and a 'vintage' hatchet that cost me £8 including postage off that auction site which I spent half an hour re-shaping into a carving profile.  I like using light/medium weight axes but a lot of carvers go for a big, heavy head on a cut-down handle.

  If it suits you and does the job you need then its all good but with second-hand axes being cheap then you can build up a set of different blade-shapes and weights quite economically. 

One thing, I guess you haven't used a hatchet for roughing out before? Use short cutting strokes and be careful to lean the stave over a little so the blade catches in the wood and doesn't bounce off it instead.  Ideally put the stave on a wooden pad or stump so that when you can carve off the end of the stave the axe will land in nice soft wood and not a hard concrete floor. 

Ruddy Darter:
Thanks stuckinthemud, I've roughed out other stuff with an axe so got a fair feel for it, and even managed to mess up a reasonably good hawthorn stave with an axe a few years back  (=)  :D..
The axe seems capable of a reasonable job, but I will keep my eyes open for a nice wooden craftsman hatchet...im not overly keen on plastic handles.

 R.D.

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