What an ax consists of: the main parts of the tool

Nowadays, an ax is a fairly common tool that is in almost every home. We use it, as a rule, for cutting or chopping various materials and objects. True, the use of an ax is not always considered an easy task. It is very important to know how to work with them, because if used incorrectly, they can do harm.

To avoid some unforeseen situation, first of all, you should know what an ax is in general and what it consists of.

What is an ax

In fact, this is a chopping tool that was used back in the Stone Age. True, then the design of the instrument was slightly different from the modern model.

A primitive hand ax-hack is often a stone, pointed on one side and rounded on the other. Such a tool (according to various estimates, it is from 800,000 to 400,000 years old) served simultaneously as an ax, and a knife, and a pickaxe.

Today there are many species axes, which differ not only in size, method of sharpening, but also in the scope. Each variety should be used strictly for its intended purpose. Globally, they can be divided into 3 large groups:

1. Household.
2. Special.
3. Combat.

Ax Parts

A typical tool consists of two main parts - a handle and a head, which, in turn, are divided into component parts.

ax

Other names - handle, grip. Most often made from tree. For him, the following breeds are best suited:

• maple;
• oak;
• beech;
• American walnut;
• jatoba;
• hickory;
• ash;
• birch.

These types of wood tolerate vibration well upon impact.

Consists of several parts:

1. The body is actually the handle itself, where the grip is made.
2. The throat is a slight curve at the end of the handle.
3. The tail is the end of the handle.

The shape can be straight or curved. The latter option is considered more convenient to use and lies more naturally in the palm of your hand.

Head

The head is the working part, and when buying it, they pay special attention to it. Often it is made of steel.

Carbon steel for an ax is the ideal material.

Head parts:

• upper corner - toe;
• lower corner - heel;
• the blunt part opposite to the blade is the butt;
• hole for the handle - eye;
• lateral side of the working part - cheek, blade, striker;
• the eye on the side of the blade may have a protrusion - a beard.

The butt is not always made blunt - in many military weapons this part is also sharp. For example, in coinage or boarding. However, in a fire tool or an ice ax, the butt is also not blunt, but pointed.

What is an ax for?

This question certainly cannot be answered unambiguously, since the scope directly depends on its type:

• felling - for cutting down trees;
• cleaver - for chopping firewood;
• carpentry - for cutting wood;
• firefighters - for emergencies;
• ice ax - for breaking ice and crust;
• adze - for processing wood;
• a valashka is rather an ax, which already has only a symbolic historical and cultural significance, but is still used by shepherds;
• tsalda - to clear the land of bushes;
• berdysh, klevets, tomahawk, francisca - military weapons.

Speaking in general, then, in fact, an ax is used to work with wood. With proper tool care and careful circulation, it can be passed down from generation to generation for a long time.