Beckley, B. 2019. One Moving Part: The Forest Service Ax Manual. 1823 2812P. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program. 234 p.
This manual provides information about different types of axes and their historic and current usage in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Subjects covered include the anatomy of an ax, types of axes and related tools, selecting the right ax for you, the art of filing, sharpening an ax head, restoring or replacing an ax handle, using an ax, maintaining an ax, and purchasing an ax. The manual also includes a list of resources and information about ax manufacturers and suppliers.
View and download the manual using the links below. Note: The full, high–resolution and low–resolution versions of the guide are compatible with assistive technologies. The individual low–resolution sections of the guide (Part 00 through Part 0000) are not compatible with assistive technologies; they are partitioned to facilitate viewing and downloading.
- Part 00—Front Covers
- Part 000—Frontwork (Title Page, Foreword, and Contents)
- Chapter 01—Introduction
- Chapter 02—The Ax in the Forest Service
- Chapter 03—A Brief History of the Ax
- Chapter 04—Anatomy of an Ax
- Chapter 05—Types of Axes and Related Tools
- Chapter 06—Selecting the Right Ax for You
- Chapter 07—Files and Filing Basics
- Chapter 08—Sharpening and Shaping an Ax Head
- Chapter 09—Reshaping or Replacing an Ax Handle
- Chapter 10—Hanging an Ax
- Chapter 11a—Using an Ax (Part a)
- Chapter 11b—Using an Ax (Part b)
- Chapter 12—Maintaining an Ax
- Chapter 13—Purchasing an Ax
- Chapter 14—Conclusion; References; and Additional Resources
- Chapter 15—Appendixes: Appendix A—Full Page Ax Illustrations, Appendix B—Technical Drawings
- Part 0000—Rear Covers
Keywords: adzes, ax, axes, crosscut saws, double-bit axes, felling, handtools, hand tools, heritage, logging, lumberjacks, primitive skills, primitive tools, pulaskis, single-bit axes, survival skills, traditional skills, traditional tools, trails, two-man saw, wilderness
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