The Traveling Leveraxe/Leveraxe 2 Thread

[Philbert]

You have a stamped (?) / formed piece of steel plate and a standard wooden handle. Compare that to other yard and garden tools.

Really, I am surprised that it is over $35. Maybe $50 due to it's novelty. Just because it is boutique produced in small numbers does not mean that it is worth more to a user. That is due to inefficiency in the production process.

Based in the reviews I am not sure that I would want one for free. No reviews, aside from those provided by the inventor, convinced me that it works better, or offers an advantage, over existing tools.

Philbert

 

[zogger]

You have a stamped (?) / formed piece of steel plate and a standard wooden handle. Compare that to other yard and garden tools.

Really, I am surprised that it is over $35. Maybe $50 due to it's novelty. Just because it is boutique produced in small numbers does not mean that it is worth more to a user. That is due to inefficiency in the production process.

Based in the reviews I am not sure that I would want one for free. No reviews, aside from those provided by the inventor, convinced me that it works better, or offers an advantage, over existing tools.

Philbert

It gets better once you can swing fast and hard but still let it slip once it hits the wood, then it can lever. No levering or turning, it doesn't work at all, just sticks in. BTDT. It *has* to slip, no way around that to make it work.

But ya, on the price, maybe 50 bucks for the original heavier head, get a handle locally someplace.

I have been thinking about modding one so it slips easier, thought of two ways, head attached to like a spring/torsion bar embedded into the end of the handle, with some sort of bushing deal, or, easier, two piece handle, the outside being a snug but not tight sleeve. Snug enough to hold it in place for the swing, but loose enough to pivot and lever when it hits, without having to change grip at all. Perhaps a nylon seal between the two that is ablative and cheap to replace once worn.

I sorta like the mild torsion bar idea better though, but I know I could cob job the two part handle easier.

As to any obvious advantages, something the inventor goes on about, it's safe. It would be extremely difficult to hurt yourself with this thing. You would have to completely miss the block you are splitting entirely and follow through to some body part. That bad an aim, using a regular axe or maul you'd *really* hurt yourself.

 

[svk]

I think changing the handle from oval to round would help too.

 

[H-Ranch]

I have been thinking about modding one so it slips easier, thought of two ways, head attached to like a spring/torsion bar embedded into the end of the handle, with some sort of bushing deal, or, easier, two piece handle, the outside being a snug but not tight sleeve. Snug enough to hold it in place for the swing, but loose enough to pivot and lever when it hits, without having to change grip at all. Perhaps a nylon seal between the two that is ablative and cheap to replace once worn.

I think *IF* the pivoting head were able to help at all, it would have to return to a fixed position like the torsion spring concept. A pivoting handle with no return would make it very hard on the hands when the head struck the wood in a semi-rotated position. Even the vaunted Mueller and Wetterlings mauls would hurt your hands and not do much for splitting it they strike the wood at 90° to the intended position.

As far as the price, the Leveraxe 2 may cost a few more dollars than a standard stamped steel tool just because it is stainless steel. But that may not make it worth any more to the consumer - it's not very often you see a maul head rusted to the point that it can't be used even if it has been exposed to the weather for decades.

 

[zogger]

I think changing the handle from oval to round would help too.

Ya, the handle would have to be round as possible for the two piece slip handle idea. Or just using your hands and slick worn leather gloves.

I don't recall it being that out of round though, as it was. freaking timing was critical though to loosen up.

 

[svk]

The "breakaway" head is an interesting concept but I'd say with additional moving parts it would certainly warrant a mid three digit price tag.

I'd be a proponent for a head similar to the original model but heavier. In concept this would solve issues related to tough/stringy wood.

 

[svk]

Hey @Derf what are your thoughts on the Leveraxe? I sent you a couple of PM's and never heard back.

 

[Derf]

Hi SVK,
yes I got the axe... unfotunately I'm not likely to be able to fully test it. ( The head was still tight when I got it, and I had a spare wood shaft to analyze for quality. )
I got to try it on some silver maple rounds, and I was unimpressed. It mostly suffered from either a) bouncing off, or b) getting stuck. It hardly split better than my Fiskars X27, and had a lot greater tendency to hurt my hand due to vibration. With half-rounds it did modestly better, and quarter-rounds it did better, but obviously you'd have to use a splitter or other tool to get the rounds to that state. I tried it in some sumac (not that I usually keep sumac) that I was taking out of a pine grove. It split that pretty well, but then so did everything else I had (X27, maul, splitting wedge) in comparison. That was my first hour of use impression, and haven't had any more time since. My impressions are that the leveraxe v2 (lightweight) is not well suited for hardwood and is overpriced over $75. I may have a chance to try it some more in another week, but this weekend unfortunately I won't. I would love a chance to try the v1 of the lever axe.

 

[MechanicMatt]

Derf, if you swing it some more, leave your hands loose! I made the mistake of gripping it too tight. Good luck with it. Hey SVK, what's the path this thing made across America? Funny its back in my area again, hahaha

 

[Full Chisel]

He impresses me a lot more than many of the fakers and self proclaimed experts out there. He obviously has a passion for what he is doing out there on his homestead. Sharing his knowledge and way of life is pretty legit, IMO...even if it includes the occasional hard nosed opinion.

 

[Rockjock]

He impresses me a lot more than many of the fakers and self proclaimed experts out there. He obviously has a passion for what he is doing out there on his homestead. Sharing his knowledge and way of life is pretty legit, IMO...even if it includes the occasional hard nosed opinion.

I see your point. But I can not get past his inability to take criticism, be it the log holder to his disregard for the safety of others. Passion is 1 thing accountability is another. Just my opinion

 

[Full Chisel]

He seems to have a bit of a superiority complex going on at times, but he's putting himself out there and I respect that. He knows his stuff. I've picked up some good skills and inspiration along the way by watching his videos, it beats watching whatever the hell is on TV these days.

 

[Rockjock]

He seems to have a bit of a superiority complex going on at times, but he's putting himself out there and I respect that. He knows his stuff. I've picked up some good skills and inspiration along the way by watching his videos, it beats watching whatever the hell is on TV these days.

True true Excellent points. He is a Jabroni but he is a Jabroni with skills. Gotcha

 

[svk]

Derf, if you swing it some more, leave your hands loose! I made the mistake of gripping it too tight. Good luck with it. Hey SVK, what's the path this thing made across America? Funny its back in my area again, hahaha

Just off the top of my head it went like this: Finland-Minnesota-NY-Oklahoma-Georgia-Minnesota-Michigan-NY and coming back to Minnesota next.

 

[svk]

Hi SVK,
yes I got the axe... unfotunately I'm not likely to be able to fully test it. ( The head was still tight when I got it, and I had a spare wood shaft to analyze for quality. )
I got to try it on some silver maple rounds, and I was unimpressed. It mostly suffered from either a) bouncing off, or b) getting stuck. It hardly split better than my Fiskars X27, and had a lot greater tendency to hurt my hand due to vibration. With half-rounds it did modestly better, and quarter-rounds it did better, but obviously you'd have to use a splitter or other tool to get the rounds to that state. I tried it in some sumac (not that I usually keep sumac) that I was taking out of a pine grove. It split that pretty well, but then so did everything else I had (X27, maul, splitting wedge) in comparison. That was my first hour of use impression, and haven't had any more time since. My impressions are that the leveraxe v2 (lightweight) is not well suited for hardwood and is overpriced over $75. I may have a chance to try it some more in another week, but this weekend unfortunately I won't. I would love a chance to try the v1 of the lever axe.

Appreciate your thoughts. If you choose to split more be sure to wear smooth gloves. Attack the round from the outside and work your way around.

 

[svk]

Hey @Derf , what's the status of the Leveraxe? Can you please ship it in the next day or do if you haven't done so yet?

Thanks again.

 

[woodchuck357]

I don't know about the current version, but with the original one using wrists to encourage the flip makes it work better and also makes it easier on the hands.

 

[svk]

I don't know about the current version, but with the original one using wrists to encourage the flip makes it work better and also makes it easier on the hands.

Did you have a chance to test the first version that came through here?

 

[woodchuck357]

A friend living up the road has one that his son, who was living in Germany, got him as a christmass present a couple years ago. The folks who had the most success with it were the ones who were already using the flip.
Interesting point, he doesen't use it except when someone who hasn't seen it comes by. He uses a double bit ax and a maul for most of his splitting.

 

[svk]

The leveraxe is making it's way back to Minnesota as we speak. Going to put it through some more paces with frozen wood. I'm interested to see if this changes the performance.

After that we've got some down time in the calendar before it heads to the next GTG. So if anyone wants to test it just let me know. Or if you MN guys want it we could justify an AS social GTG at a watering hole of your choice.