+ADKMTNS Glad to hear it! I think you'll have a lot of fun with it. They work a little differently than American axes, but once you get used to them and adapt your chopping strategy they're an absolute joy to use. I have some nice American axes that I use from time to time, but I most commonly reach for my various Italian ones these days!
I bought this from you. It works great. Only change I'd make is to swell the very end of the handle so it doesn't slip out of your hands when chopping for a long time or in wet weather. TERRIFIC AXE!
We actually had custom hickory handles made for these with an offset neck that improves the balance of the tool, and they have a small flare at the butt end of the handle for just that purpose. :) www.baryonyxknife.com/byprcohaforr.html
Never felled a tree using an axe. Is it required to cut so high up? I imagine it would be comfortable for swinging but is it possible to cut lower to the ground with an axe the way you can with a saw? Cutting permits where I live mandate you to cut much lower to the ground, because you're leaving behind such a huge piece of wood there.
Safety with the awkward footing in that location. There's something of a ravine behind it and vegetation obscuring access to full swings low to the ground on the other.