a good axe

John Vander

The town of Tosa, on the island of Shikoku in southern Japan, is famous for handmade axes. Created in the same fashion as Japanese swords, these axes are incredibly tough and sharp. I bought a hand-axe a couple of months ago, and take it with me into the mountains when I go lopping trees for firewood. It flies through side branches with the minimum effort, and keeps it's edge very well. Due to it's sharpness, you can make small cuts on trees and other plants.(Just be careful, fingers!) Price wise they are amazingly affordable, and worth it. In comparing them with European style axes, the Japanese ones have a straight handle, and the head has a gentle curve, just like the Japanese sword. I have found that when using my bigger axe (also a Japanese model dating from aroung the 2nd WW) it has an amazing feel to it when splitting wood. (You'd be amazed at the size of the logs I split with this thing!) Although simple in design, the durability and "feel" of these masterpieces will surely draw the attention of anyone who loves to use and even collect axes.

Eric Frei

How about a pic of this axe?

__________________

Rob Chace

^^^^ what eric says....

John Vander

I'm so stupid with computers, that I'm still figuring out how to put up a picture on this site. Sorry. I actually do have a pic. Let me just figure out this machine and I'll stick one on the screen.

John Vander

Here it is.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Brent Ferris

From whom does one purchase such an axe?

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

John Vander

I'd say the best way is for someone to buy it in Japan and then send it over to you. The problem though is that you don't get to see it before you buy it. Due to the current language problem in Japan (99%of Japanese can't speak English) it has paralized the market for handcrafted tools. I speak Japanese, so I'll have a chat with one of my friends who is in the tool trade.

__________________
"What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself." Abraham Lincoln

Brent Ferris

I appreciate the effort. THe pic seems to show what it is like, although dimensions would be helpful. japanese tools are known for high quality.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

John Vander

There are basically three sizes. The smallest axe weighs close to 400g, with an overall length of 36cm. From butt end to blade it measures about 10cm. Meduim size: weight= about 1kg, overall lenght= 45cm, axe head= about 14cm. Large: weight= about 2.20kg, overall lenght= 90cm, axe head= 20cm.

__________________
"What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself." Abraham Lincoln

Brent Ferris

Could you get me a price on all three, John? I think I favour the large, but I'll ask my groundman since he prefers axes.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

jmcg.insight.gardens

That is a nice looking axe. The head looks well balanced.

what sort of wood is the handle?

Brent Ferris

It looks like a great axe John, but with shipping and customs, a $20 axe becomes over $200 here -- unfortunately, too pricey for me. But a great looking tool!

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

John Vander

Sorry to hear about the heavy customs & shipping fee! I was afraid it might be a problem.

__________________
"What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself." Abraham Lincoln

John Vander

The head is indeed well balanced. I can hit a penny on a stump with one of these axes. I've had one situation where a side branch (a big one) was lodged, and loosening it with my saw was pretty risky. I had about a one inch gap to get the axe in. Got the job done A o.k. The handle is a wood called "Kashi". I have to look for the English name. It's hard as hell, and heavy. I once felled a "Kashi", and the weight of the trunk was incredible! Only problem with "Kashi" is that it does not allow for much flexibility, so, If you over-extend the blow, chances are you might break it.

__________________
"What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself." Abraham Lincoln