Big Axe (Felling Axe):
A Big Axe (Felling Axe) has the following requirements. See image 2.2.
1. The axe must be a single bit blade, ie: no blade or sharpened spike may be protruding from the back of the axe head.
2. The axe must weigh between 2.75 and 3.75 pounds of total weight (handle included).
3. The handle must be wood, handle length must be at least 25″ including the handle in the eye of the blade.
4. The axe head must be no longer than 7.5" and no shorter than 6" and must be fixed to the handle of the axe with an eye or pin (ie: no ‘floating’ axe heads where the head itself is wedged on a tapering handle and only held there through gravity.)
5. The axe head must have a minimum height of 2” as measured parallel to the handle.
Image 2.2
1. Head Length
The axe head length must be no greater than 7.5″ and no smaller than 6” at any point from face to butt. The blade of the axe must remain true, with one smooth, sharpened edge that is a consistent length from point to point. For example, no notches cut out, cannot have multiple edges, or have one point set or angled back from the other point See image 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5 and 2.2.6.
1. The blade cannot be concave, for example, preventing contact of the axe, when a tip of the axe hits the target first. See image 2.2.6.
2. The head of the axe must remain one solid piece from face to the handle. ie no parts added to or removed from the head from its original design. Any manipulation beyond sharpening the blade will be considered heavily modified and illegal. (Standard sharpening practice)
3. The axe head must retreat from the blade back to the handle of the axe in its true form without any sudden or abrupt decreases prior to reaching the handle of the axe The head cannot suddenly decrease from the maximum height down to the minimum height immediately after the blade or in the middle of the head, creating multiple edges. For example, no notches cut out, no bearded axes. See image 2.2.2.
4. The axe head height at the handle cannot be larger than any other point of the axe head from the handle to the blade except, or until the point at which the head meets the handle.
2. Handle Length
The handle length must be at least 25″, including the handle in the eye of the head. The maximum handle length 32”.
3. Head Height
The axe head height, measured parallel to the handle, must be no greater than 4 5/8” and no smaller than 2”.
4. One Solid Piece
The head of the axe must remain one solid piece from face to the handle. ie no parts added to or removed from the head from its original design. Any manipulation beyond sharpening the blade will be considered heavily modified and illegal. (Standard sharpening practice)
5. Head Truth
The axe head must retreat from the blade back to the handle of the axe in its true form without any sudden or abrupt decreases in height prior to reaching the handle of the axe. The head cannot suddenly decrease from the maximum height down to the minimum height immediately after the blade or in the middle of the head. For example: no notches cut out, no bearded axes.
6. Head at the Handle Size
The axe head height at the handle cannot be larger than any other point of the axe head from the handle to the blade except, or until the point at which the head meets the handle.
7. Blade Length
1. The blade of the axe must be no longer than 4 5/8"" and no shorter than 3.5" and must be fixed to the handle of the axe with an eye-wedge or a pin (example: no ‘floating’ axe heads where the head itself is wedged on a tapering handle and only held there through gravity.)
8.Blade Modifications
The blade of the axe must remain true, with one smooth, sharpened edge that is a consistent length from point to point. See image 2.2.1.
1. Blade cannot have notches cut out. See image 2.2.2 and 2.2.3.
2. Blade cannot have multiple edges. See image 2.2.4.
3. Blade cannot have one point set or angled back from the other point. See image 2.2.5.
Concave Blades
The blade cannot be concave, thus preventing contact of the axe, when a tip of the axe hits the target first. See image 2.2.6.
1. Blade cannot have a concave blade, preventing contact of the blade with the target.
2. The Blade cannot have an inconsistent edge that abruptly drops creating multiple edges along the top edge of the axe head.
Image 2.2.1
Image 2.2.2
Image 2.2.3
Image 2.2.4
Image 2.2.5
Image 2.2.6
9. Acceptable Modifications
Acceptable modifications include:
1. Etching into the side of the axe head.
2. Painting the head or handle.
3. Changing the handle.
4. Adjustments to the grip of the handle. For example: tape, sanding the handle, etc.
10. Referee's Final Decision
Axes that have been modified or forged in a fashion beyond what would be considered a traditional axe shape, with the intention to manipulate the rules of the game and go against the spirit of the sport will be disqualified. At any given event, the final call on axe legality will be left in the hands of the on-site referees.