Lamaca Work Axe, Balance Practice

A spare hour in the bush felling and processing a small Tallowood (Eucalyptus microcorys)with the Lamaca Work Axe, with a bit of balance practice thrown in.

[@willcarmack1242]

Total Badass...the first part of the felling sounded like a 30.06 rifle!!!...Then the balancing act while swinging an ax..... Well done my Friend....Absolute inspiration....Said with much Respect from St Petersburg Florida.....Also thank you for sharing your knowledge and dedication....Godspeed to you and your family...

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate! That's much appreciated man, and cheers for watching! 🤝👍👍🪓

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Pretty much gotta back the rounds up to make that axe split, even then it ain’t that fun, but it’ll do. You’re killing it, mate. Sorry, I prefer to comment as I watch. No need to respond to them all. I just enjoy the interaction that way.

[@940joey2]

Awesome video man I really enjoyed watching and that right there is a wicked axe it really bites deep. Climbing up on the tree while it’s wobbly doesn’t make you nervous !!

[@kurts64]

G'day mate thanks for watching! Definitely a nice axe, pricey but has become one of my main workers over the last year. Nah not really, cautious though, I like setting myself little challenges but this sort of stuff can go pear shaped pretty easy. Cheers man!

[@theodorewood5083]

I think that was a really good example of what happens when a felling axe is not "properly balanced". You can see when you cut the notch how easily the axe twisted and deflects when the strike if off even a little. Glancing blows if you will. If the bit and the poll are not balancing the head out in the center of, or just in front of center of the handle this will be magnified. (why the Americans and Aussies stopped using Euro polless patterns). This can be adjusted in the handle design. hang the axe from where the pinkie and ring finger on the bottom hand is when swinging it felling. Then drop a plumb line down the center of the knob/throat. Simplified the less balanced the head is the more curve you need in the handle. This is why fellers loved the double bit. Perfect balance.

[@kurts64]

It's my one pet peeve with this axe. The main thing it gets criticism for is being too thin. I can handle that- use it in the right wood and it's no problem, the thinness helps it penetrate so deep- but that occasional roll during felling bugs me. I thought it was just me being picky! The long bit acts like a lever in a less-than-perfect hit. What it does do is force you to be on your game with accuracy though, which has to be a good thing. Thanks for the watching, and the observant comment.

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Thanks for demonstrating real world limbing situations. This is often what it looks like, and it’s much safer to balance on the stem than it is two swing over your head in arc towards your body. But even that is necessary at times, as you well know. This makes me want to chop tomorrow, but I know my arms will be right back to where they were if I do. Friggin tennis elbow 😡

[@kurts64]

Thanks for watching mate! Limbing is always good fun, and if a trees a bit challenging then that's even better. Most gums in tall forest like this often have a pretty sparse crown so it was good to have a bit of a muck around on this one. Still sucks about the arms man! Least you've been able to get a couple of trips and other things in you might'nt have otherwise, and we're all still along for the ride with ya!

[@skinnybearthedogs2654]

I'm glad I came on your page, this one went under my radar for some reason. You did good on that tree, felt like you were surfing and chopping at the same time. You have no idea how nice it was to see some sunshine and listening to birds in your video, it's all rainy-snowy and cold since several weeks here I just want to hibernate until spring :D.

[@kurts64]

Thanks man, yeah this was a fun one! I know that hibernate feeling, we've been having spring rain and storms for about 3 weeks now it's driving every one nuts! Looking forward to your next one👍

[@dp1381]

You swing that axe powerfully with minimal effort. Nice work.

[@kurts64]

Thanks a lot mate, and cheers for watching👍👍

[@benscottwoodchopper]

Lovely video

[@kurts64]

Cheers Ben, good to get out in the quiet, but one of those tanks would be handy for these hills😆

[@KhlaBaiTong]

So beautiful 🥰

[@willcarmack1242]

Always looking forward for your next post......

[@kurts64]

Thanks a lot mate! 👍 🪓

[@KillingerUSA]

Great video!

[@kurts64]

G'day mate, thanks a lot for watching, and leaving a comment! Much appreciated 👍

[@KillingerUSA]

@@kurts64 pleasure was all mine. Enjoyed the video

[@IndianaDoug]

@@KillingerUSA you were right, I like this guy👍🏻

[@Brian2bears]

Beautiful session Mr. Kurt, I enjoyed watching....

[@kurts64]

Thanks heaps mate!

[@bentonleach6730]

It’s great to see a Lamaca axe that is actually being used. You can tell by the patina on the handle that you have been using this tool for work. Considering there are not very many Lamacas made and many are owned by collectors, yours is probably one of the most used in the world. Congrats on that. And if you ever want to sell it. I’d love to own one. Lol. Keep up the great videos!

[@kurts64]

Thanks a lot for watching mate, and what a cool thought! She's definitely a user in my book, like any axe it has its cons but it's pro's outweigh it by far, and it's just plain fun to use. I believe Lamaca has recently amped up it's production to try to get a few more out there. I'm hoping they bring out a 4lb tas on a similar handle, i reckon it would be an absolute weapon. Thanks for the encouragement mate!

[@aussieaxedude154]

Sweet video man the Lamaca looks like it goes hard!!! liked the build up when dropping the first tree.

[@kurts64]

Cheers man, yeah it's a wicked axe to throw around, little laser beam

[@KevinsDisobedience]

Hey, how’d I miss this!

[@IndianaDoug]

Right?! I dig this guys stuff.

[@benthompson1562]

Nice to see you out again, always interesting to see how axes behave with those rocks you Aussie's call trees

[@kurts64]

🤣🤣Thanks mate!

[@MidCoastAdventures]

I don't know anything about chopping trees, but I sure do enjoy your work Kurt- with the axe and camera 😎👍

[@kurts64]

Thanks heaps mate. Whether with axe, rod or bike, it's just about bein out in the bush hey. Love it. Cheers!👍

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I’m glad someone else conscious recognizes his camera work. I don’t think most people realize what it takes to shoot and edit a short film like this.

[@kurts64]

@@KevinsDisobedience cheers!

[@skaagkaal2613]

Man that sun already looks hot. I forgot you guys are pulling in to summer down there.

[@kurts64]

Yeah we're nearly there, been having some days in the mid-30's Celsius in between storms. Fun spring weather😆🥵

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

That axe is nice! Good balance too. I’d have fallen flat on my face if I tried that 😂 another great video sir!

[@kurts64]

😆haha don't worry I've come off a few times over the years! Thanks it's a nice axe, very light and accurate. Cheers for watching mate

[@gumboot65]

Great vid as Always ! Thank you! Where does a guy find Lamanca axes ? The comments about walking, working on logs are funny. Nothing easier in the world than falling off a log. The only way to not fall off a log is to never go to the woods or a log yard, or a booming grounds (floating logs) . There is however, a skill in knowing how to fall off a log and how to land. You have that skill pretty good ! Plus, once the axe is in the wood it makes a pole to stabilize oneself. 👍👍

[@kurts64]

Cheers mate! Lamacaaxes.com is the website I think, they seem to be constantly sold out though. If your not familiar with the channel "Bushcraft Sisyphus" check him out. Over a year or two he basically tested a couple dozen or more classic, well known patterns and came up with the "Work Axe". Pretty cool. There's definitely a fine line between "falling" and "falling with style"!🤣🤣 I've had two stumbles this year; one while chopping a swaying blackbutt sapling about 4.5 inch diameter (which was stupid, I put it on the cordwood page earlier in 2022) and another chopping a 12ish inch forest oak where the unsupported end rolled out from under me after the last cut. Haha good times!

[@gumboot65]

@@kurts64 Easy goins ! Twice in a year with somewhere good to land. No worries. Very common for a faller on the BC coast or Southeast Alaska to walk 2 or 3 miles every day on logs and snags he fell. Most of the time we have a fallin saw in 1 hand so it's easy to use as a counter balance. But still, very common to fall down 10, 20 times in a day. And that's even with sharp corks on . No corks, almost impossible to walk at all. Steep, broken up ground , brushy sub Arctic rain forest. Your doing AWESOME !! Thanks for the direction on the Lamaca axes. I've heard they are kinda high dollar.

[@carlsberg8144]

Very nice video mr 👍

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate!

[@bundufundi]

That axe looks like a beauty and your technique is pure perfection as usual! Good to see you back Kurt.

[@kurts64]

G'day mate, cheers! Was good to find a bit of time to have a muck around out in the field. How's that 1.2 coming along?

[@bundufundi]

@@kurts64 Getting there slowly.

[@kurts64]

@@bundufundi the HB's definitely worth spending the time on imo, the 1.2 makes a great all rounder

[@chimmy4244]

Another great chopping video and I love the bird sounds that are so much different than here in the states. I've been contemplating getting one those work axes but not for sure if I'd like the thin profile. I do like the looks of them with the low beard design. Curious to see what they come up with next. Keep up the great content and have a nice day

[@kurts64]

Thanks man, having the birds hanging about always adds a bit to the day. When it comes to the work axe,the handle is great, the thin bit (much thinner than I was expecting tbh) and long edge definitely has some advantages. It cuts deep and is great for getting in behind knots, spanning a trees width during felling, and limbing is a blast. However on bigger wood it tends to allow chips to build up in the cut occasionally. I guess every axe is a compromise though. I'm hoping thier next axe will be either a 28inch 2.5 boys axe, or a 4lb tassie. Cheers mate, you too👍

[@kenblog]

148 tuyệt vời bạn ơi 🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️

[@kurts64]

Thanks mate!

[@guyvanderveken5041]

Awesome Brother, was going to say something cheeky, but really just happy to see the content, lovely gunshot sound when you clout the wood, Lamaca does bit a bite deep, thank you for the post, where Pooch?

[@kurts64]

😁thanks mate, puppies stayed home for this one, kind of spur of the moment trip. Not the same without em! Cheers for watching mate👍

[@IndianaDoug]

Kurt S I dig your content! Sub’d👍🏻

[@kurts64]

Awesome! Thanks a lot mate!👍👍

[@IndianaDoug]

@@kurts64 looking forward to more, if Killinger and Kevin’s Disobedience say you’re going places, I’ll be the first to stand behind you👍🏻

[@kurts64]

@@IndianaDoug I appreciate that mate. Kevin's been a good bloke and Mr Killinger certainly knows how to make a handle! Thanks for the support!

[@mattoster0994]

Good vid mate 🤙be good to see that keech axe you got come out to play an the tuatahi too

[@kurts64]

Thanks a lot mate 👍 A Tui vid is on the way, hopefully get it up in the next few weeks!

[@mattoster0994]

No worries mate big fan of the channel looking forward to the tui vid but don't forget that keech want to get one just waiting for them to be up on ebay again missed out on one of there poison axes an I'm spewing just didn't have the money at the time but hoping to snag a keech eventually love the property your on I'd love to have land like that of my own one day even though its only a pipe dream ✌

[@kurts64]

@@mattoster0994 that's cool to hear man, cheers. Yeah keech can be a bit tricky, I've been waiting for them to do another run of the kc20 (slightly smaller model) but no luck yet. And dreams are a good thing mate, I found this block for lease about 6 years ago and was lucky enough to nab it for a while. This is my last year here, so it's been awesome to be able to share a bit of the Aussie bush

[@brettbrown9814]

Nice chopping Kurt. You would have no trouble becoming a tightrope walker if you ever quit your day job. Have you moved to another property now?

[@kurts64]

😁cheers Brett, haha it's good to get out and act like a big kid sometimes! Not yet, We've got a couple more days here, moving mid next week. Thanks for asking mate, gunna miss this place! Still got a few more vids to get out though😉👍

[@brettbrown9814]

@@kurts64 Good be luck with the move Mate!

[@kurts64]

@@brettbrown9814 thanks man👍👍

[@Joey-L]

Another "One tree Challenge" completed. I think Kevin needs to come up with a new challenge just for you. You make it look too easy. The Lamaca seems to be holding up nicely and cutting deep. Did you do any work to it or are you running the stock profile ?

[@kurts64]

G'day Joey, that was quick mate! Thanks for sticking with me through these vids, I appreciate it. I love the one tree challenge, it's turned out to be a fun approach on smaller trees like this, although there's one coming up that I think I bit off more than I wanted to chew😉 The Lamaca's been great, it copped a bit of damage earlier in the year so I bought it back closer to 20°, and aside from a small chip in the toe (my fault) it's held up well. How are you going up your way?

[@Joey-L]

@@kurts64 I contemplated "FIRST", but decided against it. All good over here, finished the full cord recently and looking to get one more Big Log Challenge in before the snow comes. Keep up the great videos. I always look forward to them.

[@brettbrown9814]

G'day mate happy Monday! What is the best way to get in touch with you? Cheers.

[@kurts64]

Haha happy Monday! If you've got FB I'm under Bushie Kurt, or can email [e-mail] (I think) No worries mate!

[@brettbrown9814]

@@kurts64 I sent a message to your email address just now. If it doesn't arrive let me know and I'll get my partner to reach you on FB.

[@kurts64]

@@brettbrown9814 all good mate, cheers!

[@AMYRO.2]

Bonjour que pensez-vous des haches gransfors bruks ?

[@kurts64]

G'day mate, I've never owned a granfors but I like the look of them. They seem to be designed for quite specific tasks, and I've heard that although the steel is very good it can be difficult to maintain in the field. I would like to try the American Felling Axe, though. Like any axe, be prepared to tune it to suit your needs. A good alternative would be a Hultafors Agdor. Thanks for watching mate!

[@AMYRO.2]

@@kurts64 merci de m'avoir répondue dommages que vous n'alliez pas de gransfors j'aurais aimer avoir un retour d'expérience de votre par. Car je voix que vous avez plusieurs marque de hache et j'aurais voulue savoir où se situer la gransfors pour vous. Moi j'ai la américain felling axe est franchement elle fmarche super bien très bonne haches. Est oui si ont veux avoir un tranchant rasoir sa prend un peut de temps ses un métal HRC 57 58 sa commence a être dur mais pas trop non plus en plus de ça ses une emoutture convexe donc quand ont a pas l'habitude sa prend du temps.

[@kurts64]

@@AMYRO.2 was just thinking, there a video series on "Skinny Bear and the Dogs" youtube channel you might like if you haven't already seen it, where he tunes up the Granfors felling axe and tests it against some oak and chestnut, it seems to work really well.👍