axes in Madagascar

[kronckew]

I note there appears to be a re-enforcing sleeve, possibly sheet metal, between the head and the shaft, much like the Bulova axes of eastern India, which also use the tapering of the business end to keep the head on the haft. It looks like the extended end is just the larger end where it was cut off the rest of the wood with a similar axe, instead of being sawn. Maybe they don't have a saw? Still, odd. The haft, being 'seasoned' and dried out would be a lot harder to cut -maybe they just can't be bothered...

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by kronckew

I note there appears to be a re-enforcing sleeve, possibly sheet metal, between the head and the shaft, much like the Bulova axes of eastern India, which also use the tapering of the business end to keep the head on the haft. It looks like the extended end is just the larger end where it was cut off the rest of the wood with a similar axe, instead of being sawn. Maybe they don't have a saw? Still, odd. The haft, being 'seasoned' and dried out would be a lot harder to cut -maybe they just can't be bothered...

id find that highly unlikely.. after all they have an axe head to cut things and they have already cut the handle to the exact length they want it.. .

other axes they have are not like that. its like there is one type of various sizes that has this weird extension and then all others dont have it. it must have some practical function we are missing. i just dont think theyed make it like that for some weird decoration. after all it looks very impractical. so there must be a practical use.

i guess its like a person seeing a single beveled knife for the first time and seeing it as the height of uselessness .. until they figure out why its that way.. they must all be doing something specific with the axes for that extended handle to be of some use. this is going to drive me nuts. the only.. only thing i could thin of is like with some billhooks and nata there is an extended blunt tip to stop it striking the ground so you can cut or split things close to rocks ad the ground without hitting your edge ...... that extended handle would sort of do that

[Ian]

I have to admit the design of these axes is odd. Is it possible that the axe blade was used like a large draw knife, with a hand either side of the blade, to shave or shape wood with the grain?

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by Ian

I have to admit the design of these axes is odd. Is it possible that the axe blade was used like a large draw knife, with a hand either side of the blade, to shave or shape wood with the grain?

in the video they use them to face the log up a bit.. i wounder if there is any other axes with odd things like the handle extending above the eye like this .

[Ren Ren]

One of the strangest axes I've ever seen:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...&postcount=314

[kronckew]

Looks more like the stock of a Hmong/Montainyard crossbow to go with the arrow he's holding. walking stick leaning against his back, I do not see an axe.

[Ren Ren]

This makes the ax easier to see

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by Ren Ren

One of the strangest axes I've ever seen:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...&postcount=314

i will try to find the video on youtube but ther eis footabe .. recent footage.. last 5 years of somebody forging the blades for these axes in an isolated village so id guess somebody is still using them.. the other type that exsists has a much smaller wooden heat like a T that the main handle is wedged into..
its interesting that we take european axes for granted .. but in actuial fact many people had developed a slightly different solution for a similar tool..

in europe.. finland for example their traditional axes look very odd compared to an american pattern of axe.. .. but now no longer made for more than 25 years..
i guess things like hammers, axes, digging tools., saws.. ect things most cultures that had metal had probably had a great variation once in the past till european.. to be more precise.. mostly... english speakers patterns took over the worlds markets.