Axe Arena: Oberharz

[@skipvalarose2137]

I have to admit, your scientific approach with speculation, theory, testing and observance has been most inspirational. Seldom does someone come across with such fervor, and knowledge of a hobby. I thoroughly enjoy the videos!

[@kurts64]

This vid was awesome. Narration and science was spot on, go the luftballoon

[@Magoot2456]

I hope you start making videos again! I love your input and views on axes :)

[@traditionaltools5080]

What a great pattern! I've never even heard of it before and you found three. Now to see them in action.

[@pauldrowns7270]

Efficiency ! 'll be 69 this spring and buck 5 cords of tree length with a chainsaw, and might split by hand for 4 to 6 hours at a time. My go to is a 3.3 pound (bit and handle) Swedish pattern. I also swing a little heavier Maine pattern that I restored and rehung., and if I'm into straight grained ash or red oak, I love to play with a CT boys axe. Purpose counts of course but I'm always looking at how many times can I swing, and how much can I accomplish in that time.

[@elemental4rce]

Whilst I disagree on some of the limbing comments r.e patterns etc. You did a very good job of covering every possible context and walk of life without rambling. My personal vote goes to the luftballon. Very surprised and impressed. Definitely feel like you're more confident in your theories now you've tried all these different setups. Certainly given me some motivation to play about with my Ox Harzer again 😂 Overall awesome video!

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Still much to be learned!

[@climbe4422]

Another great video ! I think your absolutely right about us having different priorities in an axe today. I want an axe to bite as deep as possible on every swing .to that end i prefer a thin bit ,if it's a little sticky that doesn't bother me .pausing to unstick it gives me a breather . I wonder if some this comes from a need just to keep swinging when the boss is watching.just a theory.

[@jopsball-turret6969]

I appreciate your channel and it has been very useful to my axe journey. I love splitting with heavy axe heads. I have multiple hytest tassies that I sharpened to my best ability. They are amazing...big maple and fir in Oregon. I hung a 4+ pound jersey/n. Carolina(?) pattern on a white ash handle. The bit was so bad I ground it down before sharpening and decided to try and split with it having a 1/16” dull edge. To my surprise it splits amazing...what?! P.S. handles are so hard to find and expensive it dampens my axe spirits. Cheers

[@simjai1000]

Awesome video..... the handle on the StuG 111 looks great I love the spotty burn sexy time. What you say about the Dudley Cook Maine pattern being a good splitter, would be interesting axe science to see a work axe special on profiles for splitting firewood, Dudley Cooks beast up against some new & vintage heads

[@Magoot2456]

I'm envious of your bit polishing skills!

[@brandonsackett3637]

Good work as always. Really look forward to your future axe science.

[@benscottwoodchopper]

I have the ochsenkopf harz axe and do quite like it for chopping softer woods, but I dont think it has much difference to a rhineland. In general though I tend to like wider edges and most euro axes have a 5 inch bit and american axe of the same wieght has 3.5-4 inches due to longer eye and a poll. I think this is one of the things that I really like about the design of the lamaca axes, bit wider than typical.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

You are a man of science, sir 🎩👌

[@MikeyDfromTN]

Can’t find any but fascinating!

[@batmanacw]

Well thought out video. I've argued that a light axe can be very efficient if profiled and sharpened correctly. I find that I can buck the same log with a full size axe or boys axe with only a small time penalty with the lighter axe. I can swing a lighter axe faster with less energy often yielding nearly identical cut depths. I find that really heavy axes slow my swing so much that it nearly completely erases the weight advantage.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS ARE CORRECT. 🔬🙌🏆

[@petermccall8975]

This is narrative gold. Audible.com on the phone for Mr Sisyphus: "Til the next batch of Lamaca axes arrive, have you thought about a job with audiobooks?"

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Jane Eyre. As it should have been.

[@jeffreyrubish347]

Thanks. Interesting comparison!

[@funcounting]

Speaking of champion axes, can you show us the Ochsenkopf Champion competition axe. It has a ridiculous price so it's interesting what it's about.

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

I wish I had one!

[@funcounting]

@@BushcraftSisyphus Judging by your axe rack you'll cave in and buy it sooner or later.

[@Achielezz]

Hi! Cool Video :) Just fyi, Tirol and Harz are very far away from eachother, as is its culture from the bavarian octoberfest pictures from the beginning of the video ;) Greetings from Germany

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Yes I've been informed that my cultural subtilties are all way off on this one lol I'm like, "But it's still German, right?" haha SORRY

[@jeffreyeccleston1055]

Sisyphus, did you not use the oberharzer in the Axe Arena?

[@feralgrandad4429]

Great content. But man, even though I live in Europe I can't find any information on the Luftballon brand. Because that looks a sweet axe. Funny enough will be driving around Germany in February. Any chance of a heads up please?

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

It's just a made up nickname for the axe from the old song "99 Luftballon" 🎈🎈🎈

[@feralgrandad4429]

@@BushcraftSisyphus ha ha why didn't I work that out lol. Thanks.

[@the_sharp_carpenter]

Man, that Luftballon just looks sexy, would love to give that thing a day in the wood. Great video!

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Dynamite with a laser beam! ⚡️

[@hainrihs]

Another great video

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Pretty sweet axes!

[@richkeagy8907]

Sharper better? I've always used the poll to chop wood.

[@bladesandbows1521]

Where can I find some of these for sale?

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Ochsenkopf sells a harz pattern and Bison still makes them. I'd only hand pick a Bison in all honesty if I was looking for one online, so the Ochsenkopf would be a safer purchase.

[@chris_2413]

What type of heads were those?

[@OggeViking]

Oberharz

[@MartyInTheWoods]

The music is Austrian ;-) But close enough! *Snow!* beautiful landscape! Holladiho! Btw. DaDaDa... the drummer with the red suspenders just died last year...

[@BushcraftSisyphus]

Nothing but cultural tragedy every time I turn around 😥