Chopping Grey Box Log with Restored Hytest Axes

[@oldmanwhite750]

Good work for sticking with it! that's some bloody hard wood!

[@axesofoz717]

Cheers.

[@thebullgoose6099]

Two observations: 1. Man, you are one accurate and committed chopper. 2. If my axe bounces just once it's a sure sign that I'm in the wrong log. I'm reminded of a video showing Japanese craftsmen. One turns a piece of bamboo into a magnificent shakuhachi then lacquers it using a stick instead of a brush. Another bloke turns a piece of bamboo into a tea ceremony whisk making eleventeen million equidistant cuts entirely by eye. Why do they do it? Because it's hard, that's why. And here's you, Aussie ninja bushido-style, going at it for an hour in grey box. Bamboo? Pffft! They are not in the race. Hats off to you. Spoiler alert, at 7:18 the axe goes sideways a tad.

[@axesofoz717]

Yes it was a crazy bit of wood to chop! The story behind that was an occasion where I was there with my Dad and I told him I was thinking about chopping that log through. His comment to me was to the effect of, "There's no way you will be able to chop through that!" and some general scoffing. After that comment I had no choice but to do it haha. And you are correct, I wanted to do it as a test on the axes and on myself. One of the heads came a bit loose half way through, and the other made it all the way.

[@thebullgoose6099]

As long as it wasn't your head coming adrift. I'm glad you didn't allow that general scoffing to stand. Dads can get a bit haughty.@@axesofoz717

[@gumboot65]

Lot of work ! Good job ! You must be in very good shape to do so much chopping with so many clothes on.

[@axesofoz717]

It was a bit chilly out there that morning, but nothing compared to the temps you get up there where you are mate!

[@brettbrown9814]

Well that was one hard tree. Good work. I knew that Hytest had made the Challenger, Craftsman and Forester models but hadn't realized they had different profiles. I have a 3 1/2 lb. Craftsman and it great to know more about it. Thanks!

[@axesofoz717]

I might do a comparison video to show the profile differences between the Forester and Craftsman. The 3 1/2 pound Craftsman would be a great work axe!

[@brettbrown9814]

@@axesofoz717 That comparison video would be very interesting. Cheers.

[@Steve_G88]

Thats insane!

[@freedomslight9580]

Came across your channel after being introduced to the Tassie pattern by a family member, and subsequently becoming an owner of a Hytest Craftsman via eBay. Might be a bit overkill since we only have Birch, Poplar, and Spruce trees. But it makes short work of them. I know you made a video about hanging an axe. But I've heard there's a bit of a difference between hanging a Tassie vs. an American style axe. Such as the angle to hang it at. Maybe a video on the mechanics of it sometime. Nice video!

[@axesofoz717]

Congrats on the Hytest, great all-around axe. Its true that a lot of Tassies need to be brought down lower at the front of the eye a bit more than others. Otherwise they can tend to sit up in an open hang position. Good idea for another video. Cheers :)

[@timwatsonphotography]

Good work mate!

[@axesofoz717]

Thanks!

[@lukasking2573]

Great wideo, nice swing. Axes work best on green wood as we all can see in your little movie.

[@axesofoz717]

Thanks mate.

[@MattKeevil]

Man, you know it's going to be tough when it makes that doink sound. I just did the big log with green wood and it still took me an hour so that is impressive work!

[@axesofoz717]

Yeah that doink sound says it's gonna be hard work!

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Jesus, that’s a big effort! I can see now why they make those patterns so stout.

[@axesofoz717]

Yeah that is the reason! Bloody hard to get the chips out sometimes.

[@tedmartin5402]

Put a cut down the middle of that scarf. Makes the chips come out easier

[@axesofoz717]

Thanks for the tip 👍

[@1südtiroltechnik]

Is there a place for a thick bit to-day? As you said thin bits bite better into hardwood, i say also they are better for debranching (especially Needle- or Softwood) and also in chopping in conjunction with a crosscut saw. I dont even know 100% if thick bits are better when you dont use saw and only the axe alone.

[@gumboot65]

How many times did you have to touch up the edge of those 2 Craftsman on that log? I have a Craftsman 4 1/2 lb just exactly ish like yours. I hung it on a Kruger Spotted Gum handle. Finished it to 30 1/4 " 766 mm iirc. Did you slim that handle on the 4 1/2 down any? I slimmed the sides of mine down to 20 mm. But did very little on the front and back of that handle. I hope it holds up. But it was just too far for my short fingers. Very interested to hear your thoughts on it. I haven't slimmed the handle on my CHINA Tui that I hung this past week. Also a Kruger's Spotted Gum. Waiting to see how the CRAFTSMAN's handle holds up.

[@kurts64]

Awesome effort! Big log number 2? That was a gnarly log and a good edge test. I used to keep an old ironbark strainer behind the shed for the edge/hang testing as well. Do you get termites down there? Most seasoned stuff up here that big gets hollowed out pretty quick. Good stuff mate!

[@axesofoz717]

Cheers Kurt. Yep second big log challenge. We do have a lot of termites here, but it affects the snow gum more than grey box which seems to last forever once it is dry. Every big dead snow gum is riddled with termites but the grey box tends to be solid right to the centre of the tree. Grey box fence posts can last a hundred years.

[@waynejorgensen4433]

Good grief. Have a hytest I inherited from my father. How do you work out what type it is?

[@axesofoz717]

It should be stamped with something like "Hytest Forged Tools" if it is early, or "Hytest Craftsman" or "Challenger" or "Forester" if it is later. They also made something called the "blue" axe in the 70s which may not be stamped. Cheers.

[@waynejorgensen4433]

@@axesofoz717 Thanks for responding. It is at least 55 years old with Hytest Forged tools stamp and 41/2 lb on the other side.

[@axesofoz717]

@@waynejorgensen4433 In that case it's probably from the 1940s or very early 1950s...after that during the 1950s Hytest introduced the others I mentioned. Originally it most likely would have been painted green.

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Our hardwoods are great, until you decide to cut a dead one with an ax...

[@axesofoz717]

Hahaha true!

[@tedmartin5402]

Probably shouldn't throw ya axe down like that

[@casterman2]

I test my axes in dry knarly wood too. Some don’t survive

[@axesofoz717]

It's a good way for me to test how safe my axe hangs are :)

[@casterman2]

@@axesofoz717 there’s a certain honesty to it that I love. It’s either good or bad. No middle ground.

[@Barney_Rubble247]

Best firewood, just cut 6 rounds of this today. 👍

[@axesofoz717]

@@Barney_Rubble247 Sure is!