Think it might be interesting to know... The double bit axe is not an american invention. http://m.novinite.com/articles/1299...n+Labrys+at+Ancient+Thracian+Kings'+Residence [/URL][/IMG] Here is the room where the pics was taken: https://historymuseum.org/mobile/en/exhibitions/novina-2-bylgarski/
Lol. I think the American claim to fame of both the polled balanced felling axe and the invention of the double bitted felling axe is safe. Those are cute little trinkets though......
Of course it wasn't an American invention! America just used 'em a lot more than any other nation in the post-industrial age. Most ancient double bits I've seen were ceremonial and/or weapons, but the geometry on these definitely looks to be more of a tool, and that's pretty notable. Thanks for sharing! Edit to add: Also, America didn't invent curved handles, either. Check this 2,400-year-old Irish socket axe with two-piece handle. Surprisingly modern lines, no?
It would seem the Thracians may have had "some" head start on US , Woodcraft. It wouldn't be the first time, the same implement is re-invented at differen places and times.
Yeah! ) I was starting to be doubt about fire and the wheel... About axe- it looks fresh, very modern and simple- ergonomic tool... The viking era will come after ~800- 1000 years... 2400 old tool.
42, some of the Irish were sometimes fond of harder liquors. It is not a stretch of imagination to assume that the carver intended that handle to be straight, but it came out that way . (Runs for cover...) Everyone knows the first curved handle intended as such was carved in US. (Still running... ) (Oh, and Australians are strange, I heard it here .)
I was inspired from this: "The first double-bit ax was probably made by William Mann in Pennsylvania at about 1850."
I would imagine that when faced with a simular problem multiple people separated by time and space come up with very similar tools to solve the problem. But half the fun is claiming people who stood on the same dirt you do did it first Regardless of how accurate the claim is.
I remember reading that here. He surely revived an excellent tool and made it so popular, he was the modern father of the double-bit.
Just goes to show you that it is best to follow in the footsteps of those that went before you. Its a mantra that I try very hard to follow. There is an obvious bias by a few on this forum for all axes made in America, including some modern ones that are soft as butter and no where near premium quality. Did I really say that?!
HEY WOAH, WOAH, THEM THERE ARES FIGHTIN WORDS. but yea, poll axes are what we can find so obviously we love them and are biased. if deadbox sees this, he's got a few poll-less axes, maybe he can see which, if any are better. BUT, the heavy basques would need heavy american axes to be fair
DBH recently did a video comparing a GB SFA, Council Woodcraft Pack Axe, Jauregi (don't know which model), and a 700g (1.5lb) Rinaldi "American" pattern.
Yes, that video should be posted here. Especially the part at the endish where his friend uses the Rinaldi.
Probably a better comparison for overall stylistic comparison would be something like a couple of 3.5lb American and Swedish models along with a 1.5kg Jauregi and a 1500g (yes, 1.5kg, but Rinaldi uses grams) Cadore or other similar large pattern with the Jauregi and Rinaldi on handles equal in length to the Americans. Most Italian axes top out at 1300g, though. Rinaldi only makes a few models as heavy as 1500g, those being the "American", "Normal", and "Cadore" (both wide and narrow bit) as well as a splitting axe. The heaviest model they make is their racing axe at 1800g (4lb).
