{"product_id":"swedishcarvingaxe","title":"Gransfors Bruk Large Swedish Carving Axe","description":"\u003cp\u003eGränsfors Bruk Swedish carving axe is used where efficient production and a rough-hewn texture are your goals. This axe has a wide 4-1\/2 inch curved edge, carried well above the eye. The textured handle is 14 inches long; head weighs 2 lbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarving axes are used in two ways. The first is swinging (or chopping) as you would with a normal axe. In addition, a carving axe can be held at base of the head and used for shaving or slicing cuts. (Yes, Gränsfors Bruk axes are \u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e sharp \u003c\/span\u003e .) In this cut, you push the axe, rather than swinging it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDouble Bevel Carving Axe\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe standard version of the carving axe is the \u003cstrong\u003e double bevel \u003c\/strong\u003e . It has an identical bevel ground on both sides of the cutting edge (like a standard yard axe). The cutting action of the edge works the same regardless if you swing the tool with your right hand, your left hand or if you swing using a forward chop, a straight downward chop or a back swing chop. The symmetrical bevel grind has the edge engaging the cut similarly in all the positioning circumstances possible when using the axe. This affords a good deal of versatility in handling the vast majority of axe carving tasks regardless of which hand holds the tool. Double bevel axes are also easier to use when making slicing cuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eSingle Bevel Carving Axes\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle Bevel axes will have a more prominent bevel ground onto just one side of the cutting edge. The other side of the axe head has a more gentle bevel angle grind and may look and feel nearly flat in comparison to the prominent bevel side. \u003c!--(Hence the name \u0026#34;Single Bevel\u0026#34;).--\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e So why consider a single bevel style carving axe? \u003c\/b\u003e That flatter, gentler bevel side of the axe head can reference off the wood surface more easily, which makes some cutting actions a bit more controllable, like skimming, paring and flattening cuts, when compared to cutting with a double bevel axe. This cutting action is similar to that of a single bevel broad axe and as you can imagine makes it easier to control the cut for some tasks like creating a flat and straight side to a limb or log.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the flatter side of the axe limits how you can swing the head to experience the benefits of the single bevel grind (i.e. having the flatter side of the axe head reference the wood surface to more easily making those paring cuts).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: -2px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e left-bevel \u003c\/strong\u003e carving axe has the prominent bevel on the left side of the cutting edge when looking at the axe from behind and the edge is pointing away from you. The more gentle, flatter bevel grind of the cutting edge is on the right side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e right-bevel \u003c\/strong\u003e carving axe has the prominent bevel on the right side of the cutting edge when looking at the axe from behind and the edge is pointing away from you. The more gentle, flatter bevel grind of the cutting edge is on the left side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWhich axe should you choose?\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules. It depends on the work you're doing and which hand you use to swing the axe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are shaping the outside of a carved bowl and are right handed and all of your chops will be a forward chop, performed by pulling the tool back over your right shoulder and swinging down and to your left, a \u003cb\u003e Left-Bevel Axe \u003c\/b\u003e would be useful in this instance. The flatter side of the cutting edge (the right side) is referencing the stock and the chips are coming off the bevel on the left side of the cutting edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, and this is important, when still using your right hand, as soon as you change your swing to straight up and down or to a back swing chop, the prominent bevel side of that left edge is now engaging the wood - not the flatness of the axe head's right side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImagine roughing out a spoon blank. You're working at a carving stump with your left hand on the end of a 2 foot long limb held mostly vertically (and the other end of the limb on the stump). With your right hand, you are either swinging mostly straight down cutting into the side of limb or with a bit of a back swing. \u003ci\u003e To have the flatter side of a single bevel axe reference along the side of the limb as you cut in this fashion, you need a \u003cb\u003e Right-Bevel Axe \u003c\/b\u003e . \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e As you can see, the circumstances in how you use a single bevel carving axe, the hand you are using to swing it and the swinging direction you move the tool affect how the blade cuts. If you're not sure which single bevel axe you may prefer, the best choice is a double bevel model. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Comes with leather sheath \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: solid 2px #660000; background-color: #ede9e2; margin: 25px 0px 25px 0px; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e We do not sell Gransfors Bruk tools to resellers. \u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWe reserve the right to cancel any order we believe to be from a reseller.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gransfors Bruks","offers":[{"title":"Double Bevel","offer_id":50821491228954,"sku":"125808","price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Right Bevel","offer_id":50821491261722,"sku":"125879","price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Left Bevel","offer_id":50821491294490,"sku":"125878","price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/5167\/3370\/files\/125808-01d.jpg?v=1768340040","url":"https:\/\/www.highlandwoodworking.com\/products\/swedishcarvingaxe","provider":"Highland Woodworking","version":"1.0","type":"link"}