FAQS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. DOES THE USE OF THE LEVERAXE DIFFER FROM THE USE OF THE CONVENTIONAL AXE?
Leveraxe is a new tool that works in an entirely different way than the conventional axes. Leveraxe is a special axe designed and shaped specifically and only for the purpose of splitting firewood. Successful and effective use requires for the right use of the Leveraxe.
Free rotation is fundamental to maximize the lever action that is the very key of the Leveraxe performance. It is essential to let the handle of the axe turn in your hands. After a few practice swings you’ll learn to relax your grip at the final stage of the swing. With this simple rule - swing and relax your grip - you’ll quickly start enjoying this novel way of splitting firewood.
Free rotation is fundamental to maximize the lever action that is the very key of the Leveraxe performance. It is essential to let the handle of the axe turn in your hands. After a few practice swings you’ll learn to relax your grip at the final stage of the swing. With this simple rule - swing and relax your grip - you’ll quickly start enjoying this novel way of splitting firewood.
- Wear work gloves with a non-stick surface, so that the handle can rotate in your hands and the leverage force can work.
- Make sure your grip of the handle is correct. When you start a strike, do not bend your arms back. The correct strike height allows you to work with a straight back.
- You do not need as much hitting force than with conventional axe, because leverage force makes a part of needed force.
- The hit speed is a major factor, the speed improves the effectiveness of the Leveraxe.The faster you strike, the more effectively it works.
- You must loosen your grip when the axe hits the log to allow its levering movement.
2. WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE LEVERAXE'S SPECIAL DESIGN?
The function of the axe is based on the blade’s one-sided design. When the blade strikes a log, it begins to incline, creating torque, which multiplies the splitting force and enables the blade to detach the log wood. Kinetic energy ends on top of the log so the blade will not slip. The blade does not get stuck in the wood.
3. WHY THE LEVERAXE IS SAFER THAN CONVENTIONAL AXE?
The handle’s length is primarily a matter of safety. A long handle (90 cm/3.5 inc) assures that the stroke will not hit your leg even if you miss the log and strike the ground. A long handle also gives more speed and precision to the blow.
4. WHY THE LEVERAXE IS FASTER AND LIGHTER TO USE?
It’s innovated design produces a levering action requiring less force to split the wood. Leveraxe has a long handle, allowing a wide grip stance thereby making it easier to swing. You’ll get faster speed and therefore power is getting stronger. Because of the special designed blade, it doesn’t lodge in the log. Shortly, the Leveraxe changes the kinetic energy to rotational motion. The blade is attached from the side, not the center, which alters its center of gravity. When the blade strikes a log, it begins to incline, creating torque, which multiplies the splitting force and enables the blade to detach the log wood. Kinetic energy ends on top of the log so the blade will not slip. At the same time counterweight on the right side of the head forces the axe to fall sideways, splitting the log apart with ease. Because of that Leveraxe can handle all common woods.
5. WHY THE LEVERAXE IS MORE ERGONOMIC?
The best base is about 30cm (1 ft) tall chopping block. You can improve the result by using a tire in conjunction with the chopping block. You can fill the tire with 30cm (1ft) logs and start chopping them one by one. This way the logs will stay stationary while chopping and you can lift them all at once and move them to dry in a pile. By using the tire technique you'll save time, trouble and your back. This isn't necessary for splitting logs, but the purpose of the tire is to keep the small pieces of wood gathered inside, thus reducing the time and effort spent picking up pieces that flew away.
6. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEVERAXE CLASSIC AND ULTRA MODELS?
All our models have the same operating principle, properties and safety elements. The difference in blade design between the Classic and Ultra models is due to the different manufacturing procedures and materials used in both. The Classic model is suitable for chopping all types of wood. The Ultra model is best suited for chopping hardwoods such as dry deciduous woods.
Leveraxe Ultra is lighter so even not so strong person can use it easily. And it's still as powerful as the Leveraxe Classic. With lighter Leveraxe you may get faster speed and therefore power is getting stronger. Because Ultra is lighter, the blade weight does not come out so well (which help axe to turn = help leverage to work) and may require more training to learn the correct splitting technique than with Classic.
Leveraxe Ultra is lighter so even not so strong person can use it easily. And it's still as powerful as the Leveraxe Classic. With lighter Leveraxe you may get faster speed and therefore power is getting stronger. Because Ultra is lighter, the blade weight does not come out so well (which help axe to turn = help leverage to work) and may require more training to learn the correct splitting technique than with Classic.
7. CAN THE LEVERAXE BE USED BY A NOT SO STRONG PERSON?
Yes it can. Leveraxe has gained its success because its blade doesn’t lodge in the log. Leveraxe has a long handle, allowing a wide grip stance thereby making it easier to swing. That's why it's comfortable also for women and older users.
8. IS THE LEVERAXE SUITABLE FOR LEFT HANDED PEOPLE?
Leveraxe is designed for left and right handed people equally. There is no different in performance or enjoyment if you use the Leveraxe in a left handed grip or right handed.
9. HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO SHARPEN THE BLADE?
You don't have to sharpen it too frequently, it works perfectly even when a bit dull, because the blade sinks only about an inch into the wood. You can sharpen the blade with the grinding stone or wheel. If using a wheel, you can finish it off with grindstone.blade sinks only about an inch into the wood.
10. WILL THE BLADE RUST IN THE RAIN?
Cover the blade after use and store it in a covered place. Oil the blade occasionally to prevent rust.
11. THE PAINT OF THE BLADE WEARS OFF, IS IT NORMAL?
The paint will wear off from the parts that touch the wood, but this is normal. Oil the blade occasionally to prevent rust.
12. WILL THE BLADE STAY ATTACHED TO THE HANDLE IF IT DRIES OUT?
There doesn't seem to be any wedges on the handle. The unique attachment of the axe blade to the handle ensure it does not come off the handle, even if the wooden axe handle dries out and the blade becomes loose. The handle's top end is a thick wedge by itself and it fits perfectly into the hole on the blade. Detaching the blade through use is very unlikely. The axe blade may become slightly loose on the handle if the axe has been inside in a dry place for a long time. This looseness goes away in a few days when the axe is placed outside in humid air. If necessary, the axe blade may be soaked in hot water for a few hours, whereby the handle tightens up again. An axe with a wooden handle must be stored in a place where there is natural humidity such as a shed or other outdoor structure.
13. DO I ALWAYS NEED TO PUT A CAR TIRE AROUND THE CHOPPING BLOCK WHEN I SPLIT WITH THE LEVERAXE?
No, because you can start chopping safely from the outer edge. You can chop on rock or asphalt, because the blade does not penetrate to tree all the way. The best location is a half a meter (7,7 in / 2ft) tall chopping block. You can improve the result by using a tire in conjunction with the chopping block. You can fill the tire with logs and start chopping them one by one. This way the logs will stay stationary while chopping and you can lift them all at once and move them to dry in a pile. By using the tire technique you'll save time and your back. It is best to use an extra wide tire in order to fit more and larger logs in it.
When using a chopping block with a tire setup you can achieve a burst of strikes at a frequency of 100 strikes a minute. Thus, as an example, using 10 strikes to chop a log would take 6 seconds. This level of speed does require acquiring certain practice using the Leveraxe, of course.
When using a chopping block with a tire setup you can achieve a burst of strikes at a frequency of 100 strikes a minute. Thus, as an example, using 10 strikes to chop a log would take 6 seconds. This level of speed does require acquiring certain practice using the Leveraxe, of course.
14. WHY DOES THE LEVERAXE BOUNCE OVER THE WOOD AND NOT CHOP?
Using the Leveraxe correctly, this problem doesn't occur. You must loosen your grip when the axe hits the log to allow its levering movement. Remember to wear work gloves with a non-stick surface.
15. DOES THE LEVERAXE CONCENTRATE A LOT OF STRAIN ON THE WRISTS BY CONSTANTLY LEVERING TO THE SIDE?
The technique of using the Leveraxe is unique, as the grip is loosened when the blade strikes the log. The blade automatically creates a levering movement and detaches chopped wood with more force than the traditional axe. The handle doesn’t jolt in the user’s hands during the hewing. The handle just turns in the user’s hands and the laws of physics work to your advantage. You shouldn’t restrain or force the movement.
The Leveraxe doesn’t slip upon striking the log because its kinetic energy stops when it hits the wood. Like everyone who has ever chopped firewood knows, a traditional axe jolts occasionally and injure the user’s wrists. This tool was developed to address that disadvantage.
The Leveraxe doesn’t slip upon striking the log because its kinetic energy stops when it hits the wood. Like everyone who has ever chopped firewood knows, a traditional axe jolts occasionally and injure the user’s wrists. This tool was developed to address that disadvantage.
16. DOES THE LEVERAXE JOLT IN THE HANDS?
The Leveraxe doesn’t slip upon striking the log because its kinetic energy stops when it hits the wood. Like everyone who has ever chopped firewood knows, a traditional axe jolts occasionally and injure the user’s wrists. This tool was developed to address that disadvantage.
17. CAN THE LEVERAXE CUT KNOTTY WOOD LOGS?
How about a cross-branched spruce that doesn't split when hit in a wrong place?
The Leveraxe chops branchy birches and spruces with ease. When using the Leveraxe, mauls and sledgehammers are not necessary. The Leveraxe wedges the crack open 4 - 8 cm (1.6 - 3.2 in), splitting even the hardest trees easily. A traditional axe spreads the crack only the thickness of the blade and axe’s motion seizes due to friction. As you have likely learned from experience, spruces’ branches reach all the way to the base. The correct way of chopping a spruce is to split it in half and then chop in a shape of a sector toward the tree’s center between the branches. If the tree is very large, you should chop pieces from between the branches to reduce the tension. This will make it easier to split the tree and chop it into pieces.
18. HOW ABOUT LARGE LOGS? 120 CM (3 FT) POPLAR WAITING TO BE CHOPPED. WILL THE LEVERAXE WORK ON THAT?
You no longer need to aim the first attempts at the centre of the log and try to split it in half. With the Leveraxe you can start from the edges and easily chop away the easiest pieces first, reducing a large log to small pieces with ease. This way it does not actually matter how large the log is.I also have a big spruce that is rotten on the inside and only the outside is not destroyed.
A 120 cm (3 ft) wide poplar is a tricky scenario for a regular axe, but not for the Leveraxe. You can begin chopping from the edge and continue around the tree. Don't strike straight at the big branches but chop at an angle on both sides, thinning the cross section and reducing tension. It is then easy to chop the branch, as you can strike the axe to the very edge without fear of the blade striking to your leg. As mentioned, a large tree like that is difficult to chop, but Leveraxe is suitable for all kinds of tricky cases, even if the tree has a 2 meter (6 ft) radius and weighs over 200 kilograms (440 lb). Due to the ingenious design of Leveraxe, you can chop wood at any site.
A 120 cm (3 ft) wide poplar is a tricky scenario for a regular axe, but not for the Leveraxe. You can begin chopping from the edge and continue around the tree. Don't strike straight at the big branches but chop at an angle on both sides, thinning the cross section and reducing tension. It is then easy to chop the branch, as you can strike the axe to the very edge without fear of the blade striking to your leg. As mentioned, a large tree like that is difficult to chop, but Leveraxe is suitable for all kinds of tricky cases, even if the tree has a 2 meter (6 ft) radius and weighs over 200 kilograms (440 lb). Due to the ingenious design of Leveraxe, you can chop wood at any site.
19. HOW ABOUT ROT LOG? WILL THE LEVERAXE WORK ON THAT?
A rotting interior is typical of old spruces. I've chopped many of them after several dry summers. Don't strike at the rotten part of the tree. Try to chop off another part first to relieve the tension. Then all you have to do is to chop off one piece at a time moving around the tree. Don't try to chop a considerably rotten tree, because Leveraxe needs more resistance in order to split the tree correctly.
20. I ONLY HAVE 10 CM (4 INCHES) WIDE TREES. HOW DO I SPLIT THEM?
Put them vertically and hit in the middle. With Leveraxe you must strike the middle of the log, not on the edges, for the splitting mechanism to work properly. Use of a chopping block in conjunction with a tire is the best way to save time chopping smaller trees, because you can keep more logs in queue, making chopping more efficient. Chopping is thus more efficient.
21. PRETTY COLORFUL TOOL. IS IT MEANT TO SCARE RABBITS AWAY?
Maybe out of the log's way! The real reason of the color is that you’ll find your Leveraxe easily if it is left it in the bushes or the snow on a coffee break. The colors on the Leveraxe are the same as in traffic signs, because they are easily noticeable, adding to the safety of the axe. You’ll notice it right away and you won't step or trip on it.
Didn't find an answer to your question? Feel free to reach out via email at info@leveraxe.com