Glad to see you appreciate the quality axes from my country. I have some of these that are more than 50 years old and they are in perfect working condition.
Great review. It seems you experienced a Zen moment with the Jauregui axe. I ordered a 1,75 kg one about 2 and a half years ago directly from the Man himself, had the pleasure of speaking to José Ramón Jauregi himself. He really is a hero; the very last of his trade here in España. Cheers.
I also came to the same conclusions about Basque axes. Definitely made to be used efficiently over time but still bite nicely if you want to give it a bit of oomph. I've actually practiced the same techniques with flat cheeked axes and it is definitely possible but it requires a lot more restraint to get that "tap and go" technique to work. Glad you covered it too. Cool topic
Hi, I know its been posted a year ago, just want to say that i've talked to José Ramon today and he told me that is Floren Nazabal in person who makes the racing handles by hand (He must retire from competition after a back injurie). Nice video
@@jonugalde1275 I have a few tuatahis now so I think will use them more since they are wider, but when I try springboard I think the Basque 2.4 may be a good choice since it is a lighter and a bit shorter
I'm far from competition grade...69 this spring, bucked some, felled once, but split 5 cords each year. I wholeheartedly agree with you on sprint versus marathon handle concept. I work with one axe and play with 2 others, All 3 handles have been scraped to a thin, somewhat flexible shape. Nothing weighs more than 2.75#. It is a snapping swing that can be repeated over and over! The go to is a straight handled Nordic pattern that I can swing for hours...because it's easy to grip. You're spot on, thanks!
Glad to see the axe battles are back! I worked down a handle to a crazy thin profile with plenty of knob left. It ended up at 28 and change long with a older boys axe head. That thing is like a whip and I love it. So much less shock on hands and body. I get what your talking about. Handle thickness is small enough that it kind of floats in my hands.
I found your channel a couple of weeks ago and I just want to let you know how much I'm enjoying it. I love how you try to be as objective as possible in your conclusions, and it's awesome how thoroughly you are covering all things concerning the axe. I hope to get one of your Lamaca axes soon. Awesome stuff all around!
Good to see you understood the axe Lane! 💪💪💪 Basques do not hide working axes with racing handles, you can ask for it to Jose Ramon just the same way as any other axe. The only reason outsiders didn't ask for them was because they didn't know about it. Now you know 😁 Did you understand what I meant with pivoting the axe? Great video 👍
Lane... I’m so glad you made this video :*) (tears of joy). I’ve heard nothing but praise for these handles and as you know I’m a huge fan of the head design. That said, in coming videos, I would love to see you delve deeper into the physics of why these axe heads chop so well. Side note: I keep hearing Arden Cogar Jr talk about “presenting the axe” better and allowing the heel to contact first allowing the bit to roll more naturally. It’s one of few pieces left of this, almost unfathomable, puzzle to discovering what would make the perfect felling/work axe.
I'm not sure I'm at the level yet where such jedi stuff would help but that does sound interesting! I'm still working on straight cuts "Whatever Martha King does, do that" would be my rule lol
Hello Seth! I think you are mentioning the pivoting motion I have just talk Seth with. If the axe is hang correctly standard person uses to start cutting heelish (is that correct?) even without pretending it. The way the man in the right of this video ends each stroke (with an outside motion of the hands) is what I think Arden may be talking about ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zGYUbtWqtZ8.html
@Bushcraft Sisyphus Even if that’s what you believe, whether you like it or not, you’re now the authority on axe science/performance. I’m simply offering suggestions to help you along in your journey to find what makes a great axe chop.
"Power strokes the ego, accuracy cuts the wood". I believe this is what was said. It's a very deep and meaningful statement. I will have to say this is the only thing in the video that I somewhat disagree with. If you're new to using axes, then yes this statement is true. But I believe as people advance in skill, power cuts the wood, accuracy places the available power where it is needed; furthermore, a powerful swing is often more accurate because you learn to trust the swing and arent holding back. Excellent video and a meaningful one for the community
In regards to your comments on race handles. I recently bought a lovely tuatahi work axe but actually ended up altering/downscaling the handle to refine it to my personal taste and comfortability. It now feels much more mobile and secure when swinging at full tilt. I'd imagine some timbersports competitors must do this too. I can't believe they go through all the effort of using incredibly specific grinds for different tasks just to ignore any handle modifications.
If you don't mind, if they produce the axes in Spain, why do they sale their products from Finland? Thank you very much for uploading this video! Kind regards, Dan George
I got away from your channel for awhile, not on purpose. RU-vid stopped suggesting axe videos for awhile, life was busy. I've been catching up. You are doing an amazing job! These videos are a joy to watch. Do you have a playlist with the music you've used along the way? The old woodcutter's songs are great. The Basque is awesome!
A Basque axe lover myself, I certainly enjoyed this. Your chopping has certainly improved! I don't think it's the axe, but you swing the Juaregi like it's an extension of your arm. Keep up the good work!
The Basque country is part of Spain and France...Not just Spain. In French; le Pays Basque. Pays pronounced payee in French. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Basque_Country
Awesome video. I love my basque boys axe for bushcraft and the like. Took some getting used to vs my grandfors sfa but honestly I think I prefer the basque
I just got mine as well, a racing axe? 2,400g 68cm... ...no! I mean the real McCoy, a competition axe Jose Ramon Jauregi 'creates' for competitors such as Aitzol Atutxa. "La vendo directamente a los 'Aizkolaris' los de 1°. Ninguno es profesional, pero a alto nivel" - J.R. Jauregi - click bait "Incredible Basque Racing Axe!" 6:20 living here in Europe, Mr. Jose Ramon Jauregi can and will meet such demands, customizing, as putting competition axe handles on [as I can attest to], having had both of my 1,750 'Boca curva' and the 'Boca recta' axe heads mounted on competition handles.
This is a bit nit picky i know but that beak palm swell looks pretty fragile, like if you dropped it the end of the beak would break right off . Maybe the laminate will give it strength....
I'm looking for a used racing axe or an option around 5lbs not in outer space prices (300+). Does anyone have any recommendations for a budget race build? I've looked a bit into Vermont racing axes, Tuatahi, Ox Champions, Precisions, Osbornes, Keech/Keesteels, and the Urnietas.
Get a China head from Tuatahi, grind it for what wood you will chop and handle it. They are $80 AUD. Come completely in ground. Or check out sugar Shack forge Ethan might have one that is ground and ready to go.
I have literally been waiting for years for the opportunity to purchase a Basque. I always just miss their stock. I have some pretty amazing trades if anyone is willing to trade? I will purchase as well as over pay. Basque and the Lamaca are basically the only axes I desire atm.
try Bushcraft Spain on Etsy. I Purchased several recently from them. Ask for Dario, his customer service is incredible. The axes are pieces of art and perform as good as they look
You not making stuff up. You're just figuring out how to use an axe for real work. Racing and work are two totally different things. But what's making you hold onto the Kelly so much tighter, is the handle is too thick and it's forcing you the hold onto it tighter. That handle needs to lose some weight lol.you should try taking one of your other axes and thin it down. Skillcult got a couple videos on it if you want to look it up PS. I'm not trying to be a back seat axeman. I've got 3 axe cut cords of wood along with some axe hewn lumber under my belt and by axe cut I mean felled, bucked and split all with an axe.
Yesterday I saw a handball video in the US, and to my horror they were wearing special leather gloves. As a Basque I thought how the hell can someone play pelota with gloves. Also they seemed to be playing with a kind of tennis ball. That is like competing in the tour de France riding on a motorbike. Are US people eating so much Soya recently?
Sysphos was the dude that rolled a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down. He spent eternity repeating this process. So the Sysyphos idea is the symbol of completing a task , over and over, in a futile attempt to complete it. Why would you give a remarkable and talented tradesman such a reward? Are you saying his art is ridiculous and futile? Yes, I think so.