Rinaldi Calabria axe hung and tested

This isn´t really a review of the Rinaldi Calabria, it´s more like my first test. I got the idea after watching Ben Scotts youtubechannel that I probably should get an Italian Rinaldi axe and get into woodchopping a little bit. And it also seemed like the axe model could be useful when preparing a log for hewing, something I will soon get around to as well. But in this video I try the Rinaldi Calabria for some light felling, limbing and bucking, just to get some first impressions of both the axe and my ability to use it.
I confess that I have a long way to go before I can chop properly. But that will improve when I put some time and effort into it, and videos of that will follow as well.
I start with hanging the ax head on the 90 cm handle that I got at the same time as the head, and I also reshape it a bit to improve the ergonomic properties of the axe.

[@TheBrifors]

Awesome. Allways nice to get a quality tool even if it´s not fancy it works well and you get to shape it after your own preferences.

[@myableways]

I actually did file the edge profile down and sharpened it pretty thoroughly today. And now it cuts really well. I could take down a 17 cm wide beech tree and make sections of the trunk with almost no effort. More axe videos will follow.

[@jksurvivalbushcraft]

Nice, subbed and will view all your content!

[@myableways]

Thanks, glad you liked it. Maybe I’ll look into adding subtitles. Was hoping the auto generated subs would be enough.

[@hakansvensson5915]

Fancy italian design 😉 im gonna have to show you my axe collection 😄

[@myableways]

Please do.

[@klaudiuszdobosz3813]

Beech is actually stiffer and more brittle than hickory or ash. It's used mainly because it's cheap and hard enough to act as a handle. Very popular in Poland (partially due to the fact that Polish axe eyes are quite big and can accommodate clunky pieces of wood). I got a Trentino model in Italy and it came with ash handle. They do make nice tools. The sticking in wood can be partially attributed to Calabria's edge geometry - it's not only thin but also straight. Rounding it up a bit should help with sticking in wood. Have fun with it.

[@myableways]

Ok, I wonder where Ben Scott got the idea that beech is more flexible from then. Perhaps a comparative test would be interresting.

[@klaudiuszdobosz3813]

@@myableways maybe it was birch which is softer and more pliable? Do you remember the title of Ben's video?

[@myableways]

No, I watched quite a lot of them. But he spoke about Rinaldi in them, so I’m sure it was beech handles.

[@goncalovazpinto6261]

Thank you for the video, I'm thinking of buying a Rinaldi axe and there are not that many videos about them.👍

[@myableways]

Thanks for your appreciation! I suggest you look at Ben Scotts channel, he’s done a few videos about Rinaldi axes.

[@goncalovazpinto6261]

I've seen some of his videos but not on Rinaldis, I'll look it up!@@myableways

[@myableways]

I can also recommend Theud Bald for more Rinaldi videos. And of course my new channel My Outdoor Ways.

[@goncalovazpinto6261]

@@myableways thanks! I'll check them out

[@myableways]

👍🏽

[@rennanrvg]

Have you thought about making a video doing a file test on all your axes? It would be an interesting comparison of heat treatment.

[@myableways]

No, not really. But I’ll probably make a video on reshaping the edge profile with a file. Maybe I could file more than one head then, to see if there’s any noticable difference. I’ll probably have to get a couple of more files for that, though.

[@johanfahlberg3778]

@My able ways yessss! We have wanted this, and now it's here! Awesome video/tutorial, as always, ye' skilled bugger! I also love that your dry sense of humor shows, for those who aren't blessed by having actually met you. Love you, buddy... and I loathe myself for doing that, as my skills compared to yours are as the alcoholic limit of drivers (before getting their license revoked); 0.02% I loathe skilled people *noIdon't*.

[@johanfahlberg3778]

Can you make a knob if the handle is too thin to file down, for added security? Like an end knob made of a leather-strip that you "glue and nail", or perhaps use wet leather that will shrink and lock in place? Or how would you make a knob on an axe (or any tool in need of this)?

[@myableways]

For this axe, which has a slip fit handle, I wouldn’t try to retrofit a palmswell at all, since the handle is supposed to pass through the eye when you want to take the axe apart. That makes it easier to pack if you bring it on a hike, and also gives you the option of having a shorter handle to switch to if you want to use it with one hand like a hatchet. A 900 gram head can easily be used comfortably like that. And for an axe hung the other way, with a wedge in the eye of the axe head, I don’t think a leather knob behind the hand would be that comfortable, it would probably rub the skin pretty bad. So the best option would probably be to use wood, but maybe the vibrations in the handle would cause it to come off again … I may have an axe that I could try it on, now that I come to think about it.

[@rupertthebusdriver8997]

I watched with great interest, I have never used an axe like that, Firstly it looks like something historical, but not!, in think I should check out Scots video's before I comment, but I'm here now , I be honest I don't know what technek you need to work on It's 900gm at the head, and that long, handle looks, on camera light and spindly , the blade is angled in at the bottom but straight like a guillotine,,,, maybe this is very much suitable for the neck of the aristocracy! Haha 😂 joking , but as slicing action it may come to perfection with a sharper edge than normally required for other styles , but what do I know 😉 Great video by the way, always interesting, and informative

[@myableways]

It feels a little flimsy at first, but it’s really comfortable to work with. The light weight is compensated by the length of the handle. And because it’s lightweight, it’s easy to use it on limbs with one hand while holding the trunk upright with the other. After I filed the profile a bit it was an absolute joy to cut with. Guess I’ll have to make a video of that too, as soon as possible. The angle of the edge is an advantage when you have a log on the ground and want to section it, you reach the bottom of the far side a lot better than if the edge would have been more parallell to the handle. And as always, glad you enjoy my videos!

[@johanfahlberg3778]

Would probably be chopping heads like "cutting butter with a warm knife", as we say here in Sweden (mayhaps it's something everyone says, but... what do -I- know?) 😆

[@marcocarta3567]

This handle really feel too edgy and the width is so small does it get better after the treatment?

[@myableways]

I made a new handle for it recently. The handle that came with it was way too thin. And I had to put a double crosswedge on it to stop the head from slipping off.

[@marcocarta3567]

@@myableways thank you for your time , the 900 s head Is a killer i should have purchased It alone and spare some 15 euros for and handle that sold separately goes for3 eus.

[@myableways]

Well, you kind of expect the handle that comes with it to fit … but you never stop learning, I suppose.

[@MsLori62]

This is 900g?

[@myableways]

Yes, it’s pretty small. Now that I had it for a while and made a new, shorter handle for it, I like it for smaller stuff. Maybe up to 4”, preferrably smaller.

[@MsLori62]

@@myableways I have the 700g version. I had to reshape the uncomfortable handle. Now I’m eager to try it out.

[@myableways]

It’s the eyeshape that dictates the shape of the handle. Unless you fit it with a ”normal” handle. I was very unhappy with the handle that came with the axe, but after making my own it’s okay. Still very thin in the front though.

[@paulhomsy2751]

From your use of the tools, one can tell you are right handed. It would give you a lot (a lot !!) more control and you'd be far more efficient with your axe if you switched hands. The left hand lower on the handle, the right hand above it, like a baseball bat, a golf club or a hockey stick when you're right handed. Doing the opposite as you are doing is robbing you of strength, precision and control.

[@myableways]

You’re probably right.

[@kevinschmith9379]

You talk funny are you from Canada?

[@myableways]

No, both in the channel description and in the beginning of every video I state that I’m in Sweden.