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What is a Broad Axe?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A broad axe is an axe with an extremely broad blade and a very heavy head. This design is intended for use in squaring timbers. Using a broad axe requires a great deal of skill and physical strength, and the necessary skills are growing uncommon, due to the proliferation of mechanized logging equipment which does the same job. It is still sometimes possible to purchase broad axes from logging supply companies and hardware stores.

A typical broad axe has two distinct sides. On one side, the blade of the axe is flat, making it easy to create a smooth edge. On the other, the blade is beveled, allowing the user to wedge it into the wood. When squaring timber, the flat side is faced against the side of the timber, while the bevel side faces the scrap edge, allowing the user to create a smooth edge with one stroke. Because broad axes have two distinct sides, there are right and left hand versions with handles to match.

A man using a broad axe to chop wood.
A man using a broad axe to chop wood.

The most classical use of a broad axe was for creating square timbers such as those used to brace homes and make railroad ties. Once a tree had been felled, a lightweight axe was used to lightly score the timber in a straight line, creating a mark to follow with a broad axe. The user stood on the log to wield the broad axe, and brought it down in powerful blows which were designed to split the timber along the line, creating a squared edge. Once one edge had been made, the log could be flipped to begin on the next edge.

Historically, broad axes were frequently used to make railroad ties.
Historically, broad axes were frequently used to make railroad ties.

If you ever enter a structure which was constructed in the era when logging was accomplished by hand, you will probably be able to see the strokes of a broad axe on the timbers. Someone who was experienced with the broad axe and in peak physical condition could churn out scores of timbers a day, ensuring the the production line was not clogged by timber waiting to be processed.

In addition to being used to create square timber, a broad axe can also be used to make octagonal timbers, such as those classically used as the masts for ships. A skilled user could also utilize a broad axe to make flooring planks. Some logging competitions still include a broad axe division for loggers to showcase their skills with this classic logging tool.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon226902

Thanks I needed all of this info. Great source.

anon65845

interesting question. another question: how could you tell the age of a broad axe?

bigbopper

A friend has an old broad axe with a small (1/8th " deep) v-shaped notch at the center of the cutting edge. Could this have been used in laying off the timber somehow by placing the blade perpendicular to the log with a string stretched the length of the log---the notch allowing clearance for the string?

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    • A man using a broad axe to chop wood.
      By: Penny Higgins
      A man using a broad axe to chop wood.
    • Historically, broad axes were frequently used to make railroad ties.
      By: Jacek Chabraszewski
      Historically, broad axes were frequently used to make railroad ties.