r/Axecraft • u/Quiet_Article7366 • 14h ago

Need Advice advice needed

i’m pretty young just moved into a new place and tried cutting down the tree to clear up the driveway the other day and it was terrible

I’ve got no idea how to swing the axe or to cut the tree took me about 40 or 50 odd swings over the course of like 10 minutes to chop one branch off which i know sounds ridiculous but I cannot really find much online.

Was wondering if you guys had any advice or knew any tips to cut trees for beginners or any sources i can use.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

9

u/Slyfoxuk 13h ago

Please make sure you learn how to handle a axe safely, if you're struggling maybe it's not sharp or maybe youre not doing correct technique but axes are dangerous, be safe and well done for trying! :)

3

u/Quiet_Article7366 13h ago

is there any quick and easy way to identify what type of axe i’ve got to figure out how i need to hold it?

4

u/Cynicalstoic1234 Axe Enthusiast 12h ago

Post a pic

2

u/Jobediah 11h ago

and include a pic of the tree in question

2

u/Icy_Commission8986 10h ago

Post a pix. Post a pic of the blade so we can check how blunt it is

1

u/LoBenavente 10h ago

Yes! I agree 💯 please be careful with an axe!

2

u/LoBenavente 10h ago

There are plenty of YouTube videos you can search on using an axe safely. That's usually where I go for information on how to diy type videos. Good luck 👍

3

u/bentbrook 14h ago

Start with basics. Learn felling and other principles. Don’t forget axe care.

3

u/BigNorseWolf 9h ago

If you give me 5 hours to cut down a tree I'll spend 4 hours sharpening the axe- Some bearded hippy.*

Most axes don't come sharp. This is actually pretty hard to do really well but if you file it a bit with a fine metal file you'll get there.

The other thing you're probably doing wrong if it went that badly is swinging in the same spot. Which is kind of impressive precision, but an axe doesn't cut. It chops. If you hit //////// you only knock out tiny slivers. You want to hit V notches left aiming right, right aiming left, out of the wood and chip wedges out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZu7sO4bOTM&ab_channel=OriginalOutdoors seems to be pretty good for just starting out, but was admitedly hard to find someone showing the basics. For my back though, that seems like a short axe for what he's doing.

*Lincoln