Spring Loaded Axe?!!

[@MemoryAmethyst]

We had one which we named Clunk. She was stolen from our garage. I miss Clunk. She was a hard worker.

[@NicoleCoenen]

I'm naming this one Clunk II, in honor of your missing companion. I'm sorry for your loss

[@charlieflight6124]

I'm gonna be pouring one out for clunk.

[@MemoryAmethyst]

@@NicoleCoenenAww, thank you. May you have many years of hearing her sing the song of her people.

[@Dirk_Berserk]

i love this

[@alanashford9207]

Awww clunk....that was really touching. My spring load axe was stolen too, in my 20s enough I didn't care...but it's potential

[@DaHaiZhu]

You know you've made it when you're gifted an axe in a grocery store by a stranger! 👍👍👍

[@talyrath]

There's famous and then there's "Grocery Store Axe Famous." 😂

[@chrisc7265]

you know you're in a high trust society when someone tells you, "I've got an axe for you in my car", and you don't run away

[@goodnightmunchie]

​@@chrisc7265imagine if she was a black African girl walking around aimlessly in a store with a axe 🫣

[@dcy665]

@@goodnightmunchie Not a biggie. If you're one of the small town locals, the color of your skin will only matter during Summer. Then everyone has to be on the lookout for burns.

[@aeis3007]

Only free axe i ever got, the head came off when I went to use it, fortunatelyno one was behind me. My fault for not checking enough before hand.

[@gcvrsa]

For people who don't understand how this works, it's not the spring which is forcing the wood apart. The spring is there to make the pawls return to their starting position when you lift the axe. It is the force of the downstroke that causes the pawls to cam open and split the wood.

[@jbbolts]

yes.... it's not spring loaded, the springs just hold the levers in place

[@James_Lindgaard]

It would've used a much heavier spring. Then when compressed by the force of the downward swing the spring then would have stored kinetic energy it can release.

[@berzerius]

​@@James_Lindgaardthat makes no sense. A stronger spring would make it worse by absorbing more energy exactly when the splitting force is needed and releasing the energy afterwards in the opposite direction when it's wasted.

[@James_Lindgaard]

@@berzerius That might actually be to help get the axe out of the wood.

[@synckar6380]

@@James_LindgaardIf it doesn’t split the wood in the first place, a spring isn’t what getting it out.

[@saskuac3591]

I would love to see a super slowmow when the sidepieces push the wood aside! :D

[@IndigoIndustrial]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5zXiGyhqamgbas Not quite what you wanted but it shows the principle.

[@tommyescobia8381]

Ooooh yes!!! Get the slowmo guys to help you do the video!!! How cool would that be? ❤

[@DeeDee-bm9hr]

Click that gear icon and put it on .25 speed. Axe does nothing

[@Klaaism]

Aye I set the playback speed to a quarter, and not seeing the springed guides popping out. You're basically just using a wider-angled splitting maul.

[@tonyshaw7420]

In order for the springs to work, it has to go deeper

[@justuskerner4234]

In Germany, these were sold in the 1980`s under the name "The great divider". I was a teen than and one day, our music teacher asked the whole class: "Guess what I did yesterday, check your last test or try out my new tool?" The next 30 minutes he told us about "The great divider". 😀

[@Max_Griswald]

In 2023, if a teacher gives that choice, I am going to bet they "tried out" their "new tool," have non-traditional pronouns, and also have blue hair.

[@MarvinWestmaas]

You sound like the 'christian' Taliban, you know book burning and all. Leave people alone, you have zero rights to tell others to live according to your 'religion'. @@Max_Griswald

[@hunterno7704]

Bro what are you smoking@@Max_Griswald

[@monochromatic9601]

@@Max_Griswald Not every place in the world is big city America, man.

[@Max_Griswald]

@@monochromatic9601 - Then they would have checked the test and not made a big deal out of it.

[@samhoban2509]

Dang you’re so good with an axe! My father always called me ‘lightning’ cos I never struck the same place twice 😅

[@DavidOfWhitehills]

Going to use that 😊

[@thomasperkins1513]

Good one...lol..lol..

[@mistersmith3986]

Bwuaaahaaaa!

[@waffler-yz3gw]

the thing is, lightning is actually *more* likely to strike the same place twice

[@itsrosshammond]

@@waffler-yz3gw That almost makes the nickname crueler.

[@wfjhDUI]

These are so cool and _really_ clever. You'd think the axe is too simple to possibly improve upon. You can debate the tradeoffs of this design versus a traditional axe but the fact that it's even debatable is a huge accomplishment.

[@maxlutz3674]

There are not too many trade offs. It´s designed to work as a splitting maul. It´s not intended for the cutting tasks most of us have in mind when thinking "traditonal axe". Neither is the splitting maul.

[@wfjhDUI]

​@@maxlutz3674What I had in mind is the basic stuff like increased cost and moving parts that can break or get lost.

[@scottkughman2247]

I learned to split with my dad's chopper 1 and then bought my own when I got a house with a wood stove. They work the best on hardwood! They still make new ones and all the parts you need to refurb the old ones!

[@danlaffin2013]

Love your videos, sense of humor, and you just being you!!! Great rep for Canadians 😊

[@keanueraine]

My dad still has one that he got in the mid 80's. We were clearing property in Thunder Bay Ont. This axe quickly became a favourite wood splitter by him and I. This sucker would and still does just fling the pieces depending on how much power you used. As punishment for signing my Dads name on a school form, he gave me splitting chore that without this axe would have been absolutely miserable into something bearable. I was a lot stronger the following fall/winter semester because of it that's for sure. We've maintained it over the years and to this day its still great axe. We still have it's original Fiber Black handle. Dad taught me how to swing on some shitty wood handled axes first before letting me use this baby, but after he saw I wasn't abusing the wood axes he trusted me with this bad boy. If someone gifts you one in good condition, thank them, it's a great axe.

[@jakemurphy9536]

I never found splitting logs a chore. In fact, I love it. It's good exercise and gets the circulation going.

[@shockley1002]

This axe is definitely part of wood splitting folklore and is right up there with the Sotz 24 pound monster maul. Love it!

[@patrick-west]

I can imagine it's the kind of thing that some ancient god of wood splitters gave to that one legendary woodsman after they cut down a million trees in a single night with the help of a talkative grasshopper.

[@jeremybrouillard]

I come from the wood, I saw a that kind of spring loaded axe before. But a 24 pounds maul!!! What kind of arm do you have to use a tool like that all day!!!!!

[@nickcarroll8565]

Woodaxe+1, extra 1d4 damage to nature types

[@shockley1002]

@@jeremybrouillard I have one, but rarely use it. My go to is the Vulcan splitting maul which is a measley 8 pounds.

[@jeremybrouillard]

@shockley1002 8 pounds is a fine weight for a maul. You can still sling it, and it has impact.

[@needmoreboost6369]

Instant like for the ingenuity! For using a string for the spring! A length of starter rope It’s my favourite spring tool! So many blokes I work with as a mechanic struggle with springs opting for pliers or a hook tool! Often resulting in a bit of swearing!

[@davedoughty1213]

Thanks for being who you are… You seem to be smart, resourceful and knowledgeable about your passions. Thanks for sharing your videos with us!!

[@V4zz33]

Finally someone on the internet who knows how to chop wood without messing up their back and tiring themselves out after 2 swings!!! Keep having fun!!!

[@eatwhatukiii2532]

That would have been a really cool gift, even if you HADN’T been able to fix it! I’m glad you were able to restore it. Thanks for sharing!❤

[@terryhetherington3364]

Woodchopper axe. I think you can still get them online. I bought a new one a couple years ago.

[@scottperine8027]

That was great,I’ve seen these axes before but never new how they worked. You,my friend,are a wealth of information,knowledge,and sublime beauty. Thank you for your quirky channel,I absolutely adore your personality,it’s infectious and very very fun,I giggle every time Nicole.

[@MrZicotorres]

A really slow motion shot of it would be cool to try and see the spring stuff happening.

[@VMHamel]

Yes, I'd love to see that too!

[@jasonscheck3407]

I was reading the reply’s to see if anyone wanted to see it in slow motion. I think that would be cool.

[@timothyfeist7364]

Slo MO Guys, Gav and Dan

[@Klaaism]

YT has a built-in slo-mo option. Problem is at quarter frame speed, I'm not seeing the spring guides coming out. Click the gear icon, and adjust the playback speed.

[@tattoodude8946]

@@Klaaism Not enough frames per second to catch whether they are or not which is why you need a high speed camera.

[@h0rn3d_h1st0r1an]

it looks like a weapon used in a steampunk game. Nice!

[@kevincrooks639]

I grew up in my dad's hardware store. We sold those beasts. Woodcutters loved them.

[@Morristowner]

I looked this axe up. I found one on ebay. Made by the sane companyand same size. I see a purchase in my immediate future. Thank you for the inspirational videos as akeays Nicole.

[@richard_n]

That is so freaking cool! I never knew such an axe existed.

[@patrick-west]

Same... I need one so bad. I mean I don't, I have way more axes than I could ever legitimately use (one downside of "stress smithing"), and really I only have use for any axe because I create excuses to use as a "legitimate reason" to own them, because selling/ giving them away is a "whole thing" here these days.

[@maxlutz3674]

I was around when they came out. Back then there were TV commercialss to make sure that people knew about them.

[@pascalbrandt3419]

It's simply the best. Mine is 45 years old and still going strong.

[@sallys2423]

Thank you, awesome person that gifted Nicole this axe.

[@Dante_8183]

My dad had one of those! It was fun to use and really works.

[@AdventureOtaku]

My dad had one too!

[@pauly1dad]

The moment she stands surrounded by the spoils of her victory.. this young lady is awesome.

[@briancjohnson]

What an interesting piec of technology, thanks for sharing! And for showing the community of a Canadian small town!

[@TheTrueCelt28]

My grandfather had one of those. I think I have it in my garage. This brings back some good memories. thanks for sharing.

[@criticallol3039]

I've heard of having a "little spring in your step" but never one in your axe before. 🎶 The more you know!🎶🌈🌟

[@marcgrenier9431]

Damn effective! And you look fabulous weilding it. Bravo!

[@vellorenitin]

Would you prefer this over a traditional axe? I mean I can see the wood splitting apart at the end but I doubt if it is as sharp as a traditional one

[@NicoleCoenen]

This is a fun tool to use and works great on medium and small pieces. Personally, I do like prefer my splitting maul, but always exciting to add "new" tools to the collection.

[@leecollard3001]

Nicole, you are wonderful individual. Keep it real & ROCK IT!

[@derekfloyd8572]

I picked up a spring loaded double bit at a flea market last fall. It feels a bit odd in the hand but works pretty well on white oak. Mine uses a spring similar to a rat traps so breakage is less of an issue, definitely worth $15

[@R3dp055um]

Always fun to watch this young lady at work.

[@WoodmanFFM]

I would love to see an ultra slow-mo of the mechanism engaging and pushing the wood apart! Very interesting piece of history!

[@rye1181]

My grandpa had one of these! he loved it! My mom and step-dad inherited it and use it to this day. I hope to get it down the road......

[@frankietuned]

Would anyone else love to see a super slow mo close up of the axe head doing work?

[@gavincross2902]

My dad and us three sons used that kind of axe all summer long in the 70's and 80's. Very handy for the knotty pieces. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. :)

[@benjidaniel5595]

Only in Canada could a random stranger walk up to someone in a grocery store and say “I have an axe for you in my car” and it still be a happy ending ❤🇨🇦

[@CLARENCErr]

As an American this made me burst out loud lmaooo

[@Meisha-san]

Only in Canada could someone walk around the grocery store wielding an axe - and it is perfectly fine...

[@thecursed01]

@@Meisha-san could work in texas too. why be afraid of someone with an axe when half the ppl are carrying. it's the "don't bring a knife to a gunfight" situation :)

[@Meisha-san]

@@thecursed01What made you think my comment was written in fear? Just, how?? It's a lighthearted vid with polite jovial comments made in jest. Hope you cheer up & enjoy the rest of your day.

[@JohnDoe-my5ip]

It’s an axe not an AR-15

[@annietaylorsmith3876]

I bought one of those in the late 80's when I was in Texas. Mine has a plastic handle and it's worked flawlessly for over 30 years! I love my Chopper 1. I have split really knotted wood from my 12 acre farm in GA.

[@nathanbrand4607]

That is a cool looking axe looks like it would be so much fun to use

[@robertokeefe2357]

Okie doki 😮I’ve never seen an ax head like that 😮interesting could be valuable 50 yrs old just curious cool find 😊

[@rosebudscott]

There was a guy in my supermarket with an axe the other day…they evacuated, we live in very different places

[@baldbastardo]

I had one similar. It wasn't spring loaded but the "ears" would pop out if you got it deep enough. The weight was noticable and it worked well enough if the wood was completely dry. If not then it would get stuck and the cursing would commence. I don't know how you ended up in my algorithm but I'm liking it. You got some oomph. - a middle aged dude who's split more than his share of firewood and swung more sledgehammers than most.

[@jackreno12]

I grew up with this style axe here in Alaska, honestly not my favorite design after years of use I ended up favoring a more 'normal' style maul. For one, the axe head does not embed very firmly, meaning you can't pick up the wood and swing again with the weight if the log. You usually have to stop and remove it. For two, the pawls don't engage until you're pretty far into the wood, by that point, you've pretty much split it anyways. I always love these axe demonstrations when they show a bunch of perfectly straight, dry, light wood.. like you could literally split that pretty well with a hatchet. Even the 'dense' piece was still straight and knot-free. Hardly realistic conditions for regular use... maybe the trees are different wherever you're from, but here every third round has at least one knot. This axe is not as good for those. Fun, interesting? Yes. Good for some niche applications? Probably. Should you go buy one? Probably not.

[@EmersumBiggins]

Exactly. This is my experience too 👍

[@paulconnett3654]

If I walked around my local grocery store with an Axe. I'd have an Armed Response Unit telling me to hit the floor!!! Loving this channel. Cheer's Beautiful.x. 🇬🇧

[@adamlewis1811]

I picked one up in an antiques store in the UK for £25 labelled "american axe". It's on my "must restore" list. Seeing this I think I need to get round to it sooner!

[@jborn730]

Nice technique. The wood split so cleanly. 😊

[@RichardKoppinger]

My parents bought a wood stove in the early 1980's, so I got to chop wood with a maul back in those days. We'd had the stove for a couple of years when my dad bought one of these axes. I tried it, but I preferred the maul. I didn't notice any appreciable difference. If anything, I thought the maul was easier to use. Maybe that spring-loaded axe was too cheaply made to work as well, so who knows? Anyway, thanks for another cool video.

[@andrecostermans7109]

Same experience, it felt as those spring-loaded axes were allways someway out of balance .

[@NTLFarm]

My old man bought one of these when I was in my early teens. Great for splitting Aussie hardwoods, even ones with a twisted grain. Never got stuck because the pawls would separate the wood as it penetrated. awesome bit of gear

[@LluviaGuerrero-x4l]

It was the video I was waiting for haha, as soon as I saw that they gave it to you I knew you were going to make a video of it 😊

[@IAmTheShaz]

It’s surprising how much that little spring helps. I’ve never seen an axe like this. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@colbyboucher6391]

Apparently the spring isn't pushing the wood apart, downforce is doing that- the springs just hold everything in place.

[@AidanNaut0]

clicked for the cool axe, stayed for the... uh, stayed for... um, uh, stayed... for the- oh man, uh, the wood?

[@Ben-Downlow.]

Yes, lots of wood 🪵 isn't nature wonderful...

[@АнтонГалкин-я3г]

sweet girl, just an incredible combination of cuteness and strength

[@BuBBles177]

Those Chopper 1’s are so cool, but I recommend having a stock of spare springs handy

[@JackgarPrime]

Yeah it seems like the nature of what you're using them for means that springs aren't going to last very long.

[@paktype]

Nicole has the cutest, most cherubic smile ever. You’d never knew rust underneath that beautiful face and cheery attitude beats the heart of a warrior with a deadly swing.

[@joemarlett8590]

Cool video. The ax looks heavy. A personal question ???? How did you get such Sculpted Arms. Keep showing the power and grace wood cutting takes. I’m always in awe of the precision you swing the axe. Keep making videos. Thank You

[@chavzone]

If you look very closely, she has an entire youtube channel revolving mainly around chopping wood. This is pure speculation, but maybe - just maybe - this intensive manual labour could perhaps somehow be related to her having strong arms?

[@skoolzone]

Thanks for the test I was always curious about those. I think my dad has one somewhere now I’ve got a find it. Keep up the good work thanks for chopping wood for folks.

[@EmersumBiggins]

That wood would have split just as well with a standard maul. I have one of those spring loaded gimmicks and if the wood isn’t ready to split, the pawls prevent it from penetrating as deep as a regular maul would 😐

[@beetlejuus]

Been using one of these axes since I was a kid. Works like a charm.

[@danielsoukup5734]

I love these axes. It doesn’t make it easy, but it does make it easier.

[@johnlawson910]

We had one growing up...not sure it worked better than a standard maul...but I split a ton of wood with it when I was a kid...gave me a work out for sure.

[@pks2634]

Back in 1975 I bought two of these because I liked them so much. I still have both, one is fiber handle, and one is wood handle. Word of caution, pieces can fly off to the side 40 ft. Enjoy.

[@Jarvis_aka_UgunnH8This]

I was about to comment how cute you Canadians are until you started swinging that Axe around......Now I will comment on how freaking AWESOME and ADORABLE your are!!! :). Have a great day!

[@Zappyguy111]

Ngl, it's pretty satisfying hearing the little jingle of the pushers and watching the wood fly out of view.

[@mugsnvicki]

I've got one and lost a spring. You found one. I've been looking for 15 years. So I use it with a missing spring. But I've got all the other wood splitting stuff...including a generator running a log splitter. And wedges and a double bit axe. Cheers from the Bruce Peninsula...

[@bigk4755]

I have used one to split quite a bit of wood when I was younger. I loved using it, thought that it was a huge improvement over the standard maul. Swinging that for a few hours was definitely a workout.

[@scottmichael3745]

I'm impressed as Hell. Subbed. You were swinging that axe like a frigging PRO! And you said you're Canadian, you could pass for a southerner. Girls down south here in the US and Midwestern gals are tough as nails. Let's call em "country" girls. You bad ass young lady. Good on ya! My wife liked it too. ❤

[@428ghost]

That brings back great memories. My dad had one of those in the early '80s.

[@gaternisbet4399]

I grew up with one of these. they work quite well, especially when your a kid. Mine had a fiberglass handle.

[@dixon_481]

I need an hour of Nicole talking please. No music. Just stories. Thank you.

[@b1ngnx33]

I never knew I needed one of these axe swinging humans! The axe is nice too!

[@baltimoreben1123]

I used one of these through my teens, worked great.

[@rosieone5670]

Own one. Unique sound of the two splitting cams “clink”. It will split elm and red oak, however there is a noticeable thud of resistance until you find the sweet spot and a small split occurs. Those cams certainly make the pieces fly. Well designed and beefy handle.

Never had to chop firewood (I live in Brazil) but I just thought it was very satisfying... ✌😆

[@Mansionlife-m7l]

I used to see those in the store and always wondered how well they worked. This is the first time I have seen one in use.

[@TaiSai_06]

This is so cool. I absolutely love gimmicky stuff like this, it really has it's own charm to it. Never knew these existed till now and it's definitely my new favorite axe.

[@jbbolts]

As a kid I often drooled over this axe in the Canadian Tire catalog.... 70ies were the best

[@rawhideadventures9515]

That's a very nice gift. I think a few good treatments with Linseed Oil will extend the life of the handle

[@chrayez]

Because of a certain Irish woodworking creator, it appears I can’t read the phrase “Linseed Oil” anymore without my inner voice saying it in an Irish accent. 😂

[@alyssa2796]

I came from the Instagram version of this video, and I couldn’t help but notice how the wood literally explodes out words. Made total sense when you said it was spring loaded.

[@metalteuffel2484]

Saw one of these in an antique mall. Already have a fiskars maul and several other ones, but still plan on adding one of these to my line up.

[@philpalmer4877]

She has to be one of the most beautiful and positive people on the internet. It goes to show you what exercise and fresh air can do for a person.

[@AllanLaal]

its good for dense/knotty lumber like spruce - it never gets stuck like a normal axe does, if it fails to split. using this on popler or birch or even pine is overkill and just makes the log halves fly across the yard source: my childhood job

[@EccentricInTexas]

I've always wondered how well that type of axe would work. Thanks for the video!!!

[@chasevankrey5061]

Dang I wonder why these aren't more popular. That axe looks like it's doing WORK.

[@vell0cet517]

Damn Nicole, you're ripped (in a good way)! I'm impressed. Thanks for educating me about this style of axe. I'd never heard of it before. Keep doing what makes you happy.

[@Offoda]

always wondered how these compared.. big love for a fellow canuk & thanks for sharing!

[@The_Smith]

Some older friends had an axe like that they bought it at Home Hardware in the 1980s. I spilt a lot of wood for them with it, (and earned myself a few suppers as well) It worked quite well in straight grained wood.

[@Arlatube]

The "Chopper". My parent bought one in the early 90's for the wis. Summer house. When they sold the place, they gave it to me. Still have it. All cleaned up and on display in my shop with other old wood cutting tools

[@Albe3331]

I’m 71. Live in a 2,200 sq ft home I built in 75. I heat the home entirely with my wood stove. My parents started supplementing their heat when I was 14 to cut down on their electric bill. I have seen and use many splitting devices, all by hand . Never owned a splitter. This is the first time I have seen an axe like this. Would love to see a super slow motion of how it operates.

[@courier11sec]

That's a pretty neat piece. It seems to me you could probably blast logs apart across the yard with a sock full of quarters, but so what a cool gift. 🙂

[@KnightsWithoutATable]

My father used this exact axe model when I was growing up to split fir and pine logs for our wood stove to help heat the house in the winter. For logs with knots, he would bring out the splitting wedge and the 8 pound sledge hammer since this kind of axe didn't do too well with knots.

[@lowellfunk8974]

We use to have one of these splitting axes when I was a teenager in the eighties. Worked great! If my dad had a stump or chunk that wouldn't split, he would say put it aside until wintertime until it froze good and hard! Then he'd go and split it quite easily!

[@johnslesinger7109]

We heated with wood for 14 years. For a homeowner splitting by hand, thats the best. Wood almost explodes, it never gets dull, never gets stuck, and my handle never got damaged.

[@rotony1]

The sound that spring makes in the silence of the forest is nice.

[@kirkboivin4357]

Had one of those in early 80s . Best splitting axe ever. Hard to get one these days but worthwhile if you can.

[@imnoblueberry8502]

God that is one of the coolest axes ive ever seen!! … … … I need one…

[@JenniferPChung]

Is it possible to see a super slow-mo close up of the springs in action? I can’t quite wrap my head around it 🫠. And whao! I dunno what I was expecting but it wasn’t that. That’s pretty awesome how they just flew apart 😯.

[@dcattran]

We got one of these for my Dad in the late 1970s.I remember if you had the right piece of wood and got a good hit, it would fling the split pieces well a cross the room. I agree, it was fun to use! 😊

[@robbie6625]

I'm just impressed you guys split wood inside 😂

[@kyle5778]

ive seen so many of this womens videos on tik tok, and now found her on YT. Im subbed and ready to watch!

[@medengineer]

Hey Nicole I would love to see a video from you on how you are sharpening axes Also Would be cool to see a video on how you are replacing handles. Keep chopping💪

[@snozwanger760]

My grandfather had something similar, with what in my memory was a more narrow head. It was a favorite.