Serious Professional Axe Lesson!

**Bill Harsey** · 09-08-2010, 14:03

This is the world record holder, David Bolstad, explaining how to hit a standing block and he does.
It's the science of professional chopping from ESPN Stihl Timber Sports.

Be sure to watch the part when he hits the wood: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/t...standing_block

click on the video and let it load, just over 10 minutes.

The standing block is set up for competition to be like falling a standing tree.

**Bill Harsey** · 09-08-2010, 14:31

Some graduate school work for the axe, this time the underhand chop.

Good info here for chopping other than world class competition too: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/t...s_events_under

Edited to add, Noticed the boys are still wearing the standard safety shoes.

JJ_BPK · 09-08-2010, 15:25

Thanks Bill.

It always amazes me how sharp the blades are. When they were shaving the steps, it was like a razor in butter..

Additionally, Their repeatability and consistency of their strokes reminds me of the difference between a duffer and a pro golfer.

theis223 · 09-08-2010, 15:25

Thanks for posting these videos sir, these clips will come in handy for the 2 acres of iron wood and Chinese elm i have to clear for the firing lanes this fall around the deer stand.

Chain saws are nice but we have pissy neighbors that whine about the noise. Plus its great PT.

**Bill Harsey** · 09-09-2010, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by theis223

Thanks for posting these videos sir, these clips will come in handy for the 2 acres of iron wood and Chinese elm i have to clear for the firing lanes this fall around the deer stand.

Chain saws are nice but we have pissy neighbors that whine about the noise. Plus its great PT.

Your most welcome for the posting of links.

If your going to do a lot of axe work, start into it slowly just like any other endurance work.

Chainsaws can be silenced. Weld a flex steel pipe of the correct diameter to the muffler and enough length to run into a 5 gallon bucket of water.
Of course I have only heard about this...somewhere.

theis223 · 09-09-2010, 12:08

We did something similar to what you described in an old post of yours Bill. Only with a hatchet, a Leatherman, and a rock to fix a busted winch on a mired ATV up in the Northwoods this summer. i like the way you think. Wanna know where i got the idea?

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...9650#post39650

Quote:

We take the double bit axe and stick the sharp side hard in the stump. Two men are best used for this job. One holds the cable over the axe and the other hits it with a big hammer on top, Lay the cable over the exposed edge of the axe where you want to cut it, hold on AND LOOK DOWN!

Found this gem (and that delightful thread:Redneck Engineering) the first day i joined this site.

I enjoy your posts Sir, and look forward to many more.

PS: you may have a PM inbound soon pertaining to a few blade craft questions and a project i would like to start. I need to do a little more homework first to have an informed set of questions for you.