Norlund Splitting Axe

[@13thworker45]

Very nice tool, I call that work, hard work splitting firewood by hand. Thank you for the knowledge.

[@toolscouter]

It really is my pleasure and thanks for watching.

[@rogerrobinson4446]

The size, shape, and balance of those old rafting patterns makes them one of my favorite splitting tools. The Norlunds, Forest Kings, some of the Collins, and some that are simply stamped M/5, all seem to be dimensionally identical. They have a much larger poll and more forward positioned eye than other rafters. I wish a company like Council would reproduce this pattern. If it had a slightly higher center line it might be the perfect splitting head.

[@toolscouter]

You are a wealth of knowledge. I am not familiar with the Forest Kings I’ll have to do some research. I do know that Norland was made by Mann Edge and they supplied a number of brand names. I don’t know if that may be an explanation for the similarities across the different brands. If you find out anything more about that I would love to know. You can always contact me directly at [e-mail]. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@axemanmike4390]

SA-WEEEEET AXE! WOW! Thanks for sharing! Greetings from Oregon, USA 🇺🇸 🪓🌲🪓🌲

[@toolscouter]

Thank you. I appreciate your gracious comment. Cheers to Oregon, we enjoy visiting your state, I was last there in 2019. Have a great day.

[@peterkoza4448]

Great job on that splitting axe! Really enjoy your videos, God bless and happy Thanksgiving buddy!

[@toolscouter]

Thanks so much for your kind words and you have a happy Thanksgiving as well and God bless you too.

[@jenniferwalter7884]

Great job that things a beauty!

[@toolscouter]

So kind of you to say so, thank you. Have a great day and God bless.

[@4akbIp_MaH90]

You've done a good job. Thank you for showing your experience. Tell me what you greased the axe with at the end?

[@toolscouter]

Thank you very much for for visiting me here in the shop. The treatment at the end was just putting a thin coat of oil on it to keep it nice. Here’s the video on the process. Oil Rag in a Can. ToolScouter shop tip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYXHYnWom8hso5I Thanks again for stopping by and visit me here in the shop again soon. Have a great day

[@4akbIp_MaH90]

@@toolscouter The greatest ideas are the simplest. Thank you very much

[@adamgreenizer]

Not a fan of shiny new look, but to each his own. I’ve got the Collin’s version of this axe and I love it.

[@toolscouter]

I get what you’re saying but if I’m not mistaken the smoother the bit the less resistance and the better the penetration. So, I don’t want any pitting within an inch of the bit. I want a Collins and have been watching for one on eBay but there seems to be a good amount of demand and they go for more money than I want to part with. Thanks so much for stopping by and hope to see you back again sometime soon.

[@ianstools4929]

Really great video! Glad you got to check one off the bucket list, that’s always a good feeling. Do you buy handles? Maybe you could make a video about selecting the right handle, that’s something I have no idea about!

[@toolscouter]

Thanks so much for your comment. I do buy handles when I’m in a hurry and don’t want to take the time to make one. I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind. Maybe in three or four videos we’ll do that one.

[@ianstools4929]

@@toolscouter sounds good ! I look forward to it! Your videos have been inspiring me to try handling an axe! I’ve got a head that needs a handle.

[@toolscouter]

I thought your idea was a good one, watch tomorrow’s video. Thanks for watching.

[@ihrescue]

Would please mention what the substance is that you applied to the axe at the end? Thanks for the informative video.

[@toolscouter]

Yes here is the link to the video that explains the oil rag in a can: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYXHYnWom8hso5I I use Balistol but any kind of oil will work when regularly applied to maintain your tool. Hope you enjoy the video and thanks for sharing come back again soon. Happy new year’s.

[@ihrescue]

@@toolscouter I did my career as a firefighter and in my department we kept the axe heads unfinished. Some departments painted the heads except the bit. As needed we would use steel wool to get off any new corrosion and then wipe it down with oil and left the coating in place, real easy. I like your idea of the oiled cloth in the can and Balistol is a good one from my experience. Thanks

[@toolscouter]

Thank you so much for serving your community and keeping them safe. That is good information that you shared and I don’t think there’s always a right or wrong way to do things. What’s best is what works and what works is what you’re willing to do. Keep that cloth oiled and keep your tools, wiped clean and I’ll serve you for a very long time. Thanks again for your information and thanks for watching.

[@radleytube]

Hello, have you used this axe for splitting? What's it like.

[@toolscouter]

Yes, I have use this axe for splitting. If the grain is very straight, it works very well, then, again, a double bit axe will too. I have to admit though, a splitting maul and wedges work better on most woods. It is a Norlund so for me it’s a collectable. Thanks for visiting me here at the channel. Hope you have a great weekend.

[@townieoutdoors8121]

Is there a reason why the splitting axe shouldn't be sharp ? Also what was the tin and cloth you applied to the axe at the end of the video ?

[@toolscouter]

It’s not that it should not be sharp, but it is for a different purpose. An axe needs to be sharp because it is cross cutting through the fibers of the wood. A splitting axe or maul is splitting the end grain and is generally more blunt. A sharp axe will usually stick into the end grain where a blunt, wide bit separates the end grain better. At least this is my take on it. You can go ahead and sharpen a splitting tool, and I don’t mean to be a safety Sally, but to my way of thinking it just makes it a little more dangerous. Sorry for rambling on but I hope this makes sense. Good luck and have a great day. PS: check out this video about the Oil Rag in a Can. ToolScouter shop tip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYXHYnWom8hso5I

[@townieoutdoors8121]

@@toolscouter thanks ! I was just curious .

[@Firewoodmaninvirgina]

People say and advertise these on eBay as rafting axes, I just bought one. Are they not a rafting and what norland sold as a splinter and really had nothing to do with rafting?

[@toolscouter]

You are right, it is confusing. I could be mistaken, but I think the term “rafting” is a model and doesn’t have anything to do with a raft on the water. I don’t know how that model got its name. It would be interesting to research and find out. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but I appreciate you stopping by for a visit and hope you have a great week.

[@toolscouter]

I was mistaken. Here’s what I found on Reddit: “The rafting axe was used for rafting - binding together many logs into a raft, and then sailing them downstream large rivers to lumber mills.” I don’t think this large, splitting ax was used for rafting, but it is of that pattern or model. Thanks for the question. It made me learn something. Have a good one.