Axe Anatomy: Identifying Parts of an Axe

There are 11 parts of an axe:

1. Bit
2. Butt or Poll
3. Toe
4. Heel
5. Cheek
6. Beard
7. Shoulder
8. Belly
9. Throat
10. Eye
11. Knob

Do you know the parts of an Axe?

We have collected the definitive list of axe terms, added some helpful diagrams, and provided a quick description for your reference. This crash course in axe anatomy is a great introduction to axe terminology. There are plenty of terms for the parts of an axe beyond just the handle and the head. In this guide we will be covering the 7 parts of the axe head and the 6 parts of the axe handle.

We have broken the parts of an axe down to two sections; the Head and Handle. You will also see a diagram with each part of the axe labeled for easy identification. While some of the terms may seem funny, remember that the axe is one of mankind’s oldest tools and these terms have developed over thousands of years.

The Parts of an Axe Head

The head of an axe has two ends — the bit or blade on one side, and the poll or butt on the other. The axe head, often referred to as “the business end” of the axe, functions as a mechanical wedge. With the sharp bit and some kinetic energy, the axe is a simple yet effective hand tool. The versatility of the axe head is nearly endless. That is why there are many different types of axe heads to choose from. For axes specialized in chopping or woodworking there are felling axes, splitting axes, broad axes, adzes, hatchets, carpenter’s axes, and mortising axes. Each one has unique features that make it specially suited for its job. There are even more axes with other utilitarian features such as double bit axes, fire axes, crash axes, climbing axes, lathe hammers, mattocks, pickaxes, and splitting mauls.

• The Axe Bit:

  The cutting portion of the ax head; also known as the blade or the edge. The bit is the most important area of the axe. Maintaining a sharp bit is crucial to the efficiency and durability of your axe. The sharp bit area encompasses the Toe at the top of the edge and the Heel at the bottom of the cutting edge. The Beard, if present, is also a part of the bit.

• The Axe Toe:

  The upper corner of the bit is known as the Toe. The Toe is where the cutting edge begins. If you think of the axe’s bit as a foot then you would want to chop in a Heel to Toe method. If you are throwing an axe this is the section you aim to hit the target with. You must be careful to sharpen the axe’s toe to allow for a clean chop.

• The Axe Heel:

  The bottom corner of bit is called the Heel. The Heel may extend lower than the rest of the axe head. If it does, then that area is called the Beard. The Heel is sometimes used for carving or more detail oriented work. It can also be used to puncture in some cases.

• The Axe Beard:

  Part of the bit that descends below the rest of the axe’s head. The Beard, if present, will encompass the Heel section of the Bit. If the Bit curves downwards below the joining point of the Axe Head and Handle then the axe has a Beard. It can be seen as blade material extending further on the Bit than the Butt.

• The Axe Cheek:

  The Cheek is the smooth side areas of the axe head. While not sharp, the Cheek area has many uses. The Cheek of an axe comes in a variety of inclines. The sharper the wedge, the easier it is to chop but the axe is less durable. With less sharp inclines of an axe’s Cheek it can be used for other tasks like removing tree bark from limbs.

• The Axe Butt or Poll:

  The blunt end portion of the axe, opposite of the bit, is known as the Butt or Poll. The Butt of the ax head aids in balance and control. The Butt also has many alternate uses. It can sometimes be used as a hammer or maul.

The Parts of an Axe Handle

The Handle of an axe is a integral component to the axe’s durability, weight, and comfort. Axe Handles are usually made of springy hardwoods like hickory but can be made with durable synthetic materials as well. The Handle is the area you want to hold on to. We always recommend hickory handles for throwing axes. Hickory provides a great feel and exceptional durability. When you’re buying a new axe, you will want to pay extra attention to the handle. If you’re inspecting a wooden handle make sure that the grain appears straight and without knots. If you’re considering a synthetic handle you will want to ensure that it is a solid construction. An uncomfortable axe handle can cause fatigue and injury. Never attempt to use an axe that you are not confident in. Swinging a poorly maintained axe can pose a serious risk to yourself and others.

• The Axe Eye:

  The Eye of an axe is the hole where the haft is mounted to the Head. Although called the eye, you cannot see most of it. The portion of the eye that is visible is typically above the bit. The eye is the piece of wood securing the handle to the head. This is the part of an axe that is most likely to break. There are many methods for repairing an eye or rejoining the head and handle.

• The Axe Shoulder:

  The Shoulder of an axe can be identified as the location where the head mounts onto the haft. This is the joining area between the axe head material and axe handle material. Particular attention should be paid to this area since decoupling can sometimes be an issue.

• The Axe Belly:

  The axe’s Belly is the longest part of haft; often made with slight bow. This area is opposite to the bit or blade. The positioning of the belly in combination with the throat dictate the best area to hold. The grain of the wood in the belly is a common source of trouble in lower quality axes. You want to make sure the Belly of your axe has a good, straight grain and zero indication of knots or wood degradation.

• The Axe Throat:

  The Throat of an axe is where the haft curves into the short grip. The design of this area is important for both the durability and comfort of your axe. An uncomfortable Throat on your throwing axe can leave your hands feeling sore and fatigued. Always keep an eye on the throat and belly when choosing an axe. A good Throat to an axe can make all the difference is your ability to throw it accurately.

• The Axe Knob:

  The Knob is the very end of the axe’s handle on the opposite side of the axe’s head. The end of haft is known as the Knob. Although the Knob is often overlooked, it can be a valuable indicator to the quality of the axe’s wood. Sometimes the Knob is coated in paint or lacquer.

Axe Anatomy 101: Identifying all of the parts of an axe

Now you can go out to your local axe throwing spot and talk shop with the pros. While some communities adopt new terms for certain parts of an axe, these are the most common around the United States. While Canada has the most axe throwers per capital, The United States is coming in a close second as axe throwing enjoys a surge in popularity.

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