Axes, hatchets & axes (Dexel)

Like all wooden tools, axes, hatchets and axes need to be sharpened regularly for optimum sharpness. 

Axes (Dexel)

Dexels are traditional sculpting tools. They have an axe-like shape, but the blade runs across rather than parallel to the handle. The cutting edges of axes have different degrees of curvature, depending on what kind of work is to be done with them. With strongly curved axes, for example, large cavities can be made. Flatter axes can also be used to create surfaces.

Edge shapes and functions of axes & hatchets

Basically, the distinction between axes and hatchets lies mainly in the length of their handles and thus in their function: Hatchets have a rather short handle. They are usually wielded with one hand and are used by sculptors for carving, by carpenters for trimming wood and, for example, in trekking for limbing trees and splitting smaller branches. Axes have a long handle and are usually wielded with both hands, for example when felling trees or splitting wood.

Sculptor's hatchets have a curved and often longer blade, which makes carving easier. Sculptor's hatchets or carving hatchets are good for rough work, but you can also use them to shape surfaces, for example. Carpenter's hatchets have a straight, thin blade that makes it possible to trim dry wood, in particular, straight and accurately. In both the sculptor's hatchet and the carpenter's hatchet, the bevel of the cutting edge is usually ground straight. Sculptor's hatchets are also available with a bevel on one side only.

For travelling, e.g. for trekking, a small, light, handy hatchet is very practical: it fits in any backpack and helps, among other things, when making firewood.

Splitting axes and Splitting axes come in different sizes. They have a straight handle and a rather narrow head with a short cutting edge. A splitting axe is used to split wood – to make firewood or to make smaller blocks of lumber. Some splitting axes can also be used to fell and limb small trees. The bevel of splitting axes and hatchets is usually crown-ground, with a wider cutting angle for optimal splitting.

Forstäxte are used, for example, in the traditional felling of trees.

A throwing axe is a double-edged axe. Double-bladed axes used to be used mainly by lumberjacks: With the double blade, two different cutting edges were available at the same time, but one only had to carry one axe into the forest. The lumberjacks' break or after-work pleasure of demonstrating their skill by throwing the axe has since become a sport in its own right, axe throwing – which is why this type of double-edged axe is also called a throwing axe.

A splitting knife can be used to split small pieces of wood by pushing them down. A shingle splitting knife also has a similar function.