Man began to use axes since ancient times. For the first time such an instrument appeared in primitive people. In Russia, of course, there were axes in the yard of every peasant. Initially, such tools were not very convenient to use. Subsequently, Russian axes were gradually improved. With the help of modern versions of tools of this variety, you can not only quickly chop wood, get rid of unnecessary bushes and trees in the garden, but even, for example, make real works of art from wood.
A bit of history
By design, the Russian ax, even in the modern version, looks more like antique Asian instruments of this type than European ones. As you know, the peoples who once lived on the territory of modern Russia were almost the main heirs of the Indo-Iranian culture. And the ax used so far in many private farms is, according to many historians, only a slightly modified copy of one of the varieties of Sarmatian weapons. Even earlier, similar combat attributes were used by the Scythians.
The photo below shows what the old Russian ax looked like (a modern copy according to the typology of Kirpichnikov).
And in this photo you can see the Sarmatian ancient instrument.
The similarity of these two products, as you can see, is manifested primarily in the form of a blade.
The Russian battle ax had almost the same construction as the Scythian, and later the Sarmatian one. Over time, such weapons to use in wars have ceased. Household axes of practically the same configuration (but with a different balancing) survived to this day.
Main varieties
All axes manufactured by modern domestic industry are classified into two large groups:
with a straight blade;
with rounded.
The first type of tool is mainly used for chopping wood. Axes with a rounded blade are most often used for the artistic decoration of various kinds of wooden products. Such tools are also called craft cleaver. Also rounded blades often have axes designed for use in logging and for chopping meat.
In the old days, the manufacture of such an instrument in Russia was mainly done by blacksmiths. Today, products of this type, of course, are produced mainly by the in-line industrial method. However, today you can also find handmade axes on sale that are distinguished by an attractive design and at the same time quite convenient to use.
Designated Varieties
Axes in a quality economic tool in Russia are used everywhere. Their varieties are as follows:
splitters;
carpentry axes;
intended for logging;
hunting;
tourist;
the kitchen.
On sale today there are all these types of axes. And their purpose can be easily determined by size, as well as by the shape of an ax.
What is a craft cleaver
Models of this variety are used, as already mentioned, for the artistic processing of wood. Axes of this type have a special shape, allowing you to finish the wood with comfort. The rounded lobes of such models are usually quite considerable in length. In order for the master to have support when carving on wood, a fairly wide straight chamfer is made on the tools of this variety.
The surface of the ax in such models is all rough. Due to this, the tool does not slip out of the hands during operation.
There are three main varieties of cleaver axes designed for wood finishing:
standard with a wider left chamfer;
with a wider right chamfer - for lefties;
with chamfers of the same size on both sides.
What is a cleaver
Axes of this type can be either small or large. Such tools have a shifted center of gravity and are significant in weight. They are used mainly for chopping coarse knotty logs into firewood and are a kind of mixture of a sledgehammer and an ax itself.
The tool blade of this variety is made of hardened steel. Most often it has a direct form. But sometimes in farms you can also find cleavers with a slightly rounded blade. The handles of axes of this type are always made of very strong wood - for example, elm or oak.
The blade of the cleaver is wedge-shaped and easily fits into any, even the densest, tree. The butt of an ax of this type is like a hammer. With it, you can easily hammer wedges into an unyielding deck.
Carpenter's ax
An instrument of this type differs from a cleaver with a lower weight and a thinner cutting edge. It is such axes in farms that can be seen most often today. These tools are versatile and can be used when performing a variety of woodwork.
The carpentry axes have a traditional shape. One of their features is the presence of a sinus head at the base. The master can, if desired, hold the tool in this place, which will allow him to clamp any product as accurately as possible. Unlike splitters, axes of this type do not chop wood, but cut it.
Lumberjack axes
This variety of tools is notable primarily for the fact that it has a long handle. The ax blade of this variety usually has a rounded shape. This allows you to conveniently chop not only deciduous trees, but also resinous conifers. Also, such logging axes do very well with branches.
There are two main varieties of such tools:
Both of these models have the same shape. But the small ax of the lumberjack is notable for its compactness. It is convenient enough to take with you, for example, in a boat or car. This tool has a length of 50 cm. For a large ax of a lumberjack, this figure is 64 cm.
What is a hunting tool?
Such axes are intended for chopping not only wood, but also for cutting meat. Their blade has a slightly rounded shape. Also, such models are distinguished by the fact that they provide for a "fresh-drying butt." This part of the hunters in the forest remove the skins of animals.
Another feature of the tools of this variety is that they have a ring-shaped thread at the bottom of the ax. Due to its presence, such axes hold well even in wet hands. The length of such tools is usually 48 cm.
Tourist models
Such axes are distinguished primarily by their small size and low weight. Tools of this variety easily fit in a backpack and do not cause any problems during long transitions. Such axes are usually used for chopping wood or chopping branches.
Such an ax has a length of 34 cm. In fact, it is a small copy of a hunting tool.
Kitchen axes
Such tools are distinguished primarily by their very small size and attractive design. In the kitchens of some apartments you can find including beautiful handmade axes, which are quite expensive. Used tools such as can already be judged by their name, mainly for cutting meat and poultry. Kitchen axes cut well bones and veins. They can also be used for cutting frozen meat.
In some cases, such hatchets can be supplemented with a hammer from the butt. Models of this variety, especially often in kitchens, could be seen in Soviet times. With such hatchets it is convenient not only to chop meat, but also to beat it off.
Modern types of tools
The Russian axes described above are traditional and have been used in our country for a long time. However, life does not stand still and new models of such tools are constantly appearing on sale, allowing you to perform certain tasks with maximum convenience.
Among the most popular new types of axes, the following can be distinguished:
"Strong" - an ax weighing 1 kg with a shortened handle. A model of this type belongs to the tourist class and can also be used for wearing on a belt.
Vityaz is a large two-handed cleaver weighing 1700 g. This ax can be used both for cutting thick-wood and large animal carcasses.
Bogatyr is a heavy ax designed for cutting large forests with a length of 70 cm and a weight of 2 kg.
The Cleaver is a small ax, perfect for use in the kitchen. Through such models, it is easy to chop meat and poultry carcasses. In another way, these axes are called cook axes.
Ermak is a very small tourist hatchet weighing 700 g. This model can be used for chopping firewood, shoots, roots of young trees, as well as for cutting small carcasses of animals.
Instead of a conclusion
Russian axes are currently considered perhaps the best in the world. Only instruments produced in other countries with a large amount of forest in the territory, for example, in Canada, can be compared with them. Today, Russian and foreign companies produce axes according to domestic standards. In any case, acquiring such a good quality tool for the household will not be difficult. The main thing is to determine the type of work performed and buy an ax of the corresponding model.