Axemenship (or Axemanship) by Shabbir Hazari

IF you ever want to see how an axe should not be handled then it is an easy task. Just go along to just about any camp where you have a lot of troops or patrols and who are cooking over open fires. It's enough to make your blood run cold.

If you intend to allow your Scouts to handle an axe then please teach them how to handle it first. It is vital and there is no room for clowning around. It is very serious matter and probably the most dangerous piece of equipment in camp.

You should start by teaching the basics.

1. How to care an axe.
2. How to pass an axe from one person to another
3. Wood Chopping Area.
4. Axe safety.
5. Personal Safety.
6. How to chop

Before we start we need to set a few ground rules.

Safety MUST be paramount at all times.

Make sure the axe head is tight and will not fly off. Keep onlookers at least two axe lengths away.

Never wear sandals, gym shoes or go bare footed. Stop chopping as soon as you get tired. Carry an axe by the head with the bit facing away from you.

When passing an axe to someone else, hold it by the halt and support the head with your free hand.

Keep the edge or bit sharp and the handle on tight Don't let the axe touch the ground. Driving it into the ground may nick the edge, leaving it on the ground will rust it. When you have finished using the axe, mask it in the chopping block or put it in its sheath.

Rub the head of the axe with oil to stop it rusting Occasionally rub the wooden handle with linseed oil.

Sharpening

IF you are using a grindstone to sharpen an axe, make sure you do it the right way. Here is how to do it properly.

If using a file, file the whole bit with long even straight strokes. File one side, then turn and do the other.

Use a sharpening stone to get a final keen edge. Use a circular motion. Keep your fingers well back from the edge of the stone.

Before you start, clear overhanging branches from overhead so that you have an openspace around you. Make sure that you have a firm footing. Always wear boots or strong shoes. Remove your scarf and other loose clothing. Always have a chopping block under the wood you are chopping. The part being cut must be resting on the block. Chop slowly but rhythmically. Movement should come from your arms and trunk above the waist. Let the weight of the axe head do the work for you.

Cut on an angle, not straight accross the grain of the wood. Cut thick logs with a V-shaped notch.

When splitting a stick in two, place the axe blade on the end of the stick, Lift the stick and axe together and bring down hard on the chopping block. As you hit the block, twist the axe to break the pieces apart.

Collected by Shabbir Hazari (Shabbir Moiz Ali Hazari+92-302-8235252 shabbirhazari at gmail dot com)