Of course a backwoodsman has to be pretty useful with his axe; and to
become a good axeman a fellow must know, firstly, how the thing ought
to be done, and, secondly, he must then have lots of practice in doing
it before he can be considered any good.
Bad workmen complain of their tools, but before starting to work be
sure that your tool is a good one.
Your axe should be a "felling" axe, of which the head will weigh
nearly three pounds. See that the handle or "helve" is perfectly
straight and true in line with the head and the edge. To do this look
along the helve with the edge of the head turned upwards. If the edge
is not true to the bevel, your cuts will go all astray.
Then see that your axe is sharp--really sharp, not merely with a good
edge on it. A slightly blunt axe is no more good for cutting down a
tree than a very blunt knife is for cutting a pencil. You should know
how to sharpen it on a grindstone, learn this now, while you are in
civilisation, where grindstones can be found and there are men to show
you.
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