Geek – by Ryan WhitwamChopping wood is hard, but it’s something modern society has largely freed us from as a daily activity. That’s nice, but consequently, if you ever do have to chop wood, you’re more than likely going to suck at it. Splitting a log requires a surprising amount of force, but Finnish inventor Heikki Kärnä has invented a new kind of axe that makes it much easier and safer.
Yes, axes have existed since time immemorial, but apparently there’s still room for improvement.
The Vipukirves does what the name implies, assuming you speak Finnish. It’s essentially acting as a lever instead of a wedge (Vipukirves translates as Leveraxe). A regular axe needs to be driven downward with enough force to separate wood along the grain. That’s a lot of force, and if a log is hit off center, the axe blade can deflect at unexpected angles. That’s not good — your squishy flesh is much easier to split than a log.
So what makes a lever different than a wedge in this scenario? The Vipukirves still has a sharpened blade at the end, but it has a projection coming off the side that shifts the center of gravity away from the middle. At the point of impact, the edge is driven into the wood and slows down, but the kinetic energy contained in the 1.9 kilogram axe head continues down and to the side (because of the odd center of gravity). The rotational energy actually pushes the wood apart like a lever. A single strike can open an 8 cm gap in a log, which is more than enough to separate it.
The inventor also claims this tool is much safer because the downward energy that might cause harm is dissipated gradually as rotational energy. So, no abrupt shock, and no deflection. The Vipukirves also naturally comes to rest on its side, which stabilizes the log and keeps the sharp edge pointed away from the operator. It’s really a clever design.
If you want this crazy physics-exploiting axe, it’s going to cost you. The base price is €193.12 in EU countries, including VAT. For US orders, the base price is €155.74 or about $215, plus €47.26 ($65) in shipping.
http://mobile.geek.com/latest/253083-physics-exploiting-axe-splits-wood-in-record-time
The article neglected to point out that this axe will only work as described if you’re exclusively right-handed. Maybe they make a lefty model too, but it’s not going to be very helpful for ambidextrous people who split the work between both hands (and are therefore able to do a lot more work than exclusively left or right handed people).
And maybe I can save you the time I just wasted — the video is nothing more than watching Sven split wood for 10 minutes. If you see the first minute, you’ve seen the whole thing.
This reminds me of the 80’s, “And the multi-wrench will replace a whole wrench set”. It never did. The simplest design remains king, a plain old wrench.
Wow, I might order one.
This may work great on Alder or Birch, but I have some Oak, Maple and Fir he won’t be splitting with his Physics-exploiting axe. If I split wood like he was I would be loading my wood stove every 15 mins. I think I will keep my maul and rent a splitter if I need to. If needs be, I will hire a testosterone oozing young man to work off his excess energy.
right.
I seen the size and thought ‘whats he using it for? a kitchen wood stove?’
Id like to try a hatchet sized one.
For less then the price of the axe I can get a cord of Oak and a cord of Fir, seasoned, cut and split. If I am feeling good I can get four cords for 200.00 if I want to cut a split myself and not feed the kitchen stove.
I guess it all depends on the wood your chopping. I’d like to see it at work on some twisted up cottonwood. I think the tire is doing more than his axe personally.
Don’t hold it too tightly, it will break your wrist.
I like an 8lb tear drop shaped maul.
He is also splitting cold clear wood.
I would like him to try the ax on some knotty wet fur.
I’m really not impressed… and axe for over $200? I can do the same with my 16-pound maul, even if it is green oak (on a cold frosty morning). For a little more money you could purchase a used hydraulic wood splitter.
The wood this guy in the video was splitting looked to be aged and very dry. I’m sure that this new design is superior to any standard axe, but the cost removes it as an option for my wallet.