Bjarne’s power wedge

[Treezybreez]

@Treezybreez - What do you mean "has no grip" ?

The hammer head part is very rounded with no texturing. You can drive a wedge in for a felling cut, but it sometimes glances off. You won’t regret buying it though. It is very useful for the stump cut.

 

[cory]

Anybody ever watch Bjarnes YouTube channel?

Yes lot of good falling to be seen there yet I find hard to believe that in this day and age, 6-8' cedars on steep slopes are still being cut ever day. #candadaisburning

 

[27RMT0N]

Anybody ever watch Bjarnes YouTube channel? Every now and again I’ll throw it on in the background, maybe glean a little knowledge in the process…… he’s a very talented timber cutter, and works in some beautiful country. If you haven’t checked him out, I suggest it.

Been skimming his videos for ages, a very skilled big-timber faller in a region I know pretty well and is not too far away from me.

All those hollow, seam-filled, old-growth cedars on steep slopes probably make up some of the most dangerous felling work on the planet and I wouldn't even know where to start with most of the work he does. That said, I don't really have the patience to spend an hour watching someone fell a tree or two, as many of his videos turn into, but I love the scenery (truly some of the best there is) and the interesting situations he's faced with. Building heli-pads out of the trees he cuts down is some very cool problem solving and creativity.

 

[GregManning]

That little blue Estwing is called the “Fireside Friend”. It’s useful to have on hand, but not the best wedge driver as the head is rounded and has no grip. It shines with stump cuts as it chops the dirty bark off easily and taps wedges for the final cut.

@Treezybreez
Two follow ups:

1. Estwing may have changed the design of the “Fireside Friend”.
The head on mine has a totally flat, round 1-3/8” surface; the outside edges & corners are rounded.

I asked the question about the grip because I thought you might be referring to the handle grip.
I have a 40+ year old Monster Maul. Back then the handle was a bare steel “oval shape”. Very hard to hold on to.
A solution: Tourna Grip – an adhesive backed fabric tape used by tennis players (pros) for better hand grip.

 

[Merle Nelson]

This is a great option if anyone likes a thicker rubbery grip. Three sizes, go with the smallest size that will fit over your handle. Can add some glue to aid in retention over the long haul on a maul etc that sees a lot of sideways forces.

 

[davidwyby]

Most axe guys use hockey tape I think.

 

[southsoundtree]

View attachment 95396This is a great option if anyone likes a thicker rubbery grip. Three sizes, go with the smallest size that will fit over your handle. Can add some glue to aid in retention over the long haul on a maul etc that sees a lot of sideways forces.

Might be good for a shorty ax in a wet climate for topping.

 

[GregManning]

Update on Estwing Hammer Face Flatness: (FYI)

Back in ~ late 1980’s, I bought an Estwing Drilling/Crack Hammer - 3-Pound Sledge.
It does indeed have a slightly rounded contact surface for contact.

The recently purchased “Fireside Friend” surface is flat.