Conventional Grinds

Here are some of my favourite axe designs. They are well proven in a variety of timbers and are a great place to start when looking for a well proven design. They are also a good place to start when considering a custom design.
Bluey Bluey is one of the best performers in firm timber and is well suited to the Mountain Ash cut at Royal Sydney Show in Australia. A long flat chisel, the bearest hollow grind and medium size characterise this axe. Used for both underhand and standing blocks, it chips the hardwood well with good penetration. It is wide enough to cover a 14 inch log in two blows and yet still meets the size and weight limits for a hard hitting axe.
Queenslander The Queenslander is a traditional Banana grind and takes its name from Queensland Australia where the Banana grind made its reputation in the fast-growing tropical timbers of Northern Australia. The Queenslander has a larger face than most axes, and has a chisel up to two inches long at the center and down to 3/8 inch at the tips. The Queenslander has an exaggerated hollow-grind and a bust set well back from the edge.
Ossie The Ossie is a conventional grind which has been shortened in the chisel and thinned to create a short fine chisel. This axe is not for the faint hearted, or for axemen cutting strong timber. Specifically designed for softwoods, an Ossie is at home in an arena of poplar and some pine species. Its thin short chisel creates little friction and so it penetrates the softwood well. Leave this axe at home if bound for Royal Sydney, but if the log steward has ordered softwood then a couple of Ossie axes might be the best choice.
USA Axes These axes are specifically ground for the timbers cut in the USA which tend to be faster cutting than the Australian hardwoods. These axes are ground with a 13.5 degree chisel and vary in chisel length from 12 to 20mm depending on the type of timber to be cut. They are well suited to White Pine or Aspin Cotton Wood.

© 2008 Mike Osborne