Russian axe. Types of axes and their purpose

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 12:45

Man began to use axes from ancient times. For the first time such a tool appeared among primitive people. In Russia, axes were, of course, 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 out of wood.

A bit of history

By design, the Russian ax, even in its modern version, looks more like ancient Asian tools of this type than European ones. As you know, the peoples who once lived on the territory of modern Russia were perhaps the main heirs of the Indo-Iranian culture. And the ax still used in many private households 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(modern copy according to Kirpichnikov's typology).

And in this photo you can see an ancient Sarmatian instrument.

The similarity of these two products, as you can see, is manifested primarily in the shape of the blade.

The Russian battle ax had almost the same design as the Scythian, and later the Sarmatian. Over time, such weapons were no longer used in wars. Household axes of almost the same configuration (but with a different balance) have survived to this day.

Main varieties

All axes produced by modern domestic industry are classified into two large groups:

• straight blade;
• with rounded.

The first type of tools is mainly used for chopping wood. Axes with a rounded blade are most often used for artistic finishing of various kinds of wooden products. Such tools are also called craft cleavers. Also, axes designed for use in logging and cutting meat often have a rounded blade.

In the old days, blacksmiths were mainly engaged in the manufacture of such tools in Russia. Today, products of this type are, of course, produced mainly by the in-line industrial method. However, even today, handmade axes can be found on sale, featuring an attractive design and at the same time quite convenient to use.

Varieties by purpose

Axes as a household itemtools in Russia are used everywhere. Their varieties are as follows:

• cleavers;
• carpentry axes;
• destined for logging;
• hunting;
• tourist;
• kitchen.

On sale today there are all these types of axes. And their purpose can be easily determined by the size, as well as by the shape of the ax handle.

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 that allows you to finish wood with convenience. The rounded blades of such models usually have a rather considerable length. In order for the master to have support when carving wood, a fairly wide straight chamfer is made on the tools of this variety.

The surface of the handle of such models is just rough. Due to this, the tool does not slip out of the hands during operation.

There are three main varieties of axes-cleavers designed for wood finishing:

• standard with wider left chamfer;
• with a wider right chamfer - for left-handers;
• with chamfers of the same size on both sides.

What is a cleaver

Axes of this type can be both small and large. Such tools have a displaced center of gravity and are distinguished by significant weight. They are used mainly forsplits of rough knotty logs for firewood and are a kind of mixture of a sledgehammer and the ax itself.

The blade of this variety of tools is made of hardened steel. Most often it has a straight line. But sometimes in the farms you can also find cleavers with a slightly rounded blade. Ax handles of this type are always made of very durable wood such as elm or oak.

The blade of the cleavers has a wedge-shaped shape and easily enters any, even the most dense, tree. The butt of axes of this type is similar to a hammer. With it, you can easily drive wedges into an unyielding deck.

Carpenter's ax

This type of tool differs from the cleaver in its lighter weight and thinner cutting edge. It is these axes that can be seen most often on farms today. These tools are versatile and can be used for a variety of woodworking.

Carpenter's 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 very place, which will allow him to hew any product as accurately as possible. Unlike cleavers, axes of this type do not split wood, but cut it.

Lumberjack Axes

This kind of instrument is notable primarily because it has a long handle. The blade of axes of this variety is usually rounded. This allows you to conveniently cut not only deciduoustrees, but also resinous conifers. Also, these woodcutting axes are very good at cutting branches.

There are two main varieties of these instruments:

• small lumberjack ax;
• big.

Both of these models have the same shape. But the lumberjack's small ax is distinguished by its compactness. It is quite convenient to take it with you, for example, in a boat or car. The length of such a tool is 50 cm. For a large lumberjack ax, this figure is 64 cm.

What is a hunting tool

Such axes are designed for cutting not only wood, but also for butchering meat. Their blade has a slightly rounded shape. Also, such models are distinguished by the fact that they provide for a “fresh butt”. This part is used by hunters in the forest to skin animals.

Another feature of the tools of this variety is that they have a ring-shaped cut at the bottom of the ax handle. Due to its presence, such axes are well kept even in wet hands. The length of such instruments is usually 48 cm.

Tourist Models

Such axes differ primarily in their small size and light weight. Tools of this variety fit easily into a backpack and do not cause any problems during long transitions. Such axes are usually used for chopping firewood or cutting down branches.

This ax is 34 cm long. In fact, it is a reduced copy of a hunting tool.

Kitchen axes

These tools are distinguished primarily by their very small size and attractive design. In the kitchens of some apartments, you can also find beautiful handmade axes, which are quite expensive. Such tools are used, as can be judged by their name, mainly for cutting meat and poultry. Kitchen axes cut bones and veins well. They can also be used to cut frozen meat.

In some cases, such axes can be supplemented with a hammer from the side of the butt. Models of this variety, especially often in kitchens, could be seen during Soviet times. Such axes are convenient not only for chopping meat, but also for beating it.

Modern types of instruments

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 jobs with maximum convenience.

From the most popular new types of axes, the following can be distinguished:

1. "Fortress" - an ax weighing 1 kg with a shortened handle. A model of this type belongs to the tourist class and can be used, among other things, to be worn on a belt.
2. "Vityaz" - a large two-handed cleaver weighing 1700 g. This ax can be used both for cutting thick wood and large animal carcasses.
3. "Bogatyr" - a heavy ax designed for cuttinglarge forest 70 cm long and weighing 2 kg.
4. "Cleaver" - a small ax, great for use in the kitchen. Through such models, you can easily chop meat and poultry carcasses. In another way, these axes are called chef's axes.
5. "Yermak" - 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 tools produced in other countries with a large amount of forest on the territory, for example, in Canada, can compare with them. Today, both Russian and foreign companies produce axes according to domestic standards. In any case, it will not be difficult to purchase such a good quality tool for the household. The main thing is to decide on the type of work performed and buy an ax of the appropriate model.