Tuatahi Racing Axes
Quality Competition Racing Axes
The winning balance between technology and craftsmanship
NEW One Piece Axes
At Tuatahi our Research and Development team have been working on the design of a “Super Axe” much like the axes World Champion David Foster talked about in his book “The Power of Two”.
After several years of development, we sent various prototypes out to some of the best in the world to test in a wide variety of wood types and conditions. The results were outstanding and prove by far that our new one piece axes, are in fact the best axes Tuatahi have ever made.
The new one piece axes are available in various size patterns and should not be cut or ground down to size after hardening and tempering. We've discovered through our testing that this can release tension in the axe and may result in a top performing axe becoming an average axe.
Quality features:
Each Tuatahi Racing Axe has the following features:
- Axes are individually hand forged from the highest quality tool steel, extra forging in the new one piece axes results in better performance.
- Axe shapes are machined.
- Range of size patterns available – the pattern shape you select will be exactly what you receive.
- Axes produced are a better shape.
- Axes are individually hardened and tempered in atmosphere controlled furnaces and temperature controlled ovens.
- Axes are individually precision ground to suit various wood types.
Customers may select:
- A fully finished axe ready to go.
- A partly finished axe to suit the customers specifications, that he/she is able to finish off themselves.
Individual specifications may include:
- Axes ground for individual wood types.
Tuatahi Racing Axes can be supplied with or without handles. We stock Racing Axe Handles and also have available Axe Filing Jigs, Leather Axe Covers, Aluminium Axe Wedges, Axe Drifts and Honing Stones!
Main Tuatahi Racing Axe
One piece axe sizes:
We have the following sizes available:
Pattern W = 7 1/4 (184mm) long x 7" (178mm) wide
Pattern 2 = 7 1/4 (184mm) long x 7 1/4" (184mm) wide
Pattern 3 8 = 7 3/8” long x 7 3/8” wide
Pattern CD = 7 1/2” long x 7” wide
Pattern 4 2 = 7 1/2" (190mm) long x 7 1/4" (184mm) wide
Pattern 4 = 7 1/2" (190mm) long x 7 1/2" (190mm) wide
Pattern 5 2 = 7 5/8" (194mm) long x 7 1/4" (184mm) wide
Pattern 5 4 = 7 5/8” long x 7 1/2” wide
Pattern 6 = 7 3/4" (197mm) long x 7 1/4" (184mm) wide
Pattern 6 4 = 7 3/4" (197mm) long x 7 1/2" (190mm) wide
Pattern 6 6 = 7 3/4" (197mm) long x 7 3/4" (197mm) wide
Pattern 8 8 = 8" (203mm) long x 8" (203mm) wide
Pattern 8 4 = 8” long x 7 1/2” wide
Pattern HH2 = Hardhitter 8 1/2” long x 7 1/2” wide
Pattern HH3 = Hardhitter
8 5/8” long x 7 1/2” wide
Variations of Axe Grinds
A lot of these grinds will cut soft or hard woods, the variation between soft and hard woods is how the edge is done, for example a hard wood axe will have a rolled edge. Tuatahi can also Double Grind.
If you are unsure what grind would suit your wood type please do not hesitate in contacting us.
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No. 1 GrindThis grind is available slightly rolled, flat or hollow. Click for larger image of diagram. |
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No. 2 Grind – Chisel GrindThe width of the chisel can vary from 1/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches depending on the wood type. Most chisels are ground flat and varying degrees of hollow are put in behind the chisel. Click for larger image of diagram. |
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No. 3 Grind – Banana GrindThis grind is available slighty rolled, flat or hollow. Click for larger image of diagram. |
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No. 4 Grind – SupergrindThere are variations of the Supergrind to suit different wood types. Click for larger image of diagram. |
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No. 5 Grind – Mitre GrindThis grind is available slightly rolled, flat or hollow. Click for larger image of diagram. |
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No. 6 Grind – Combo GrindThis grind is available hollow only. Click for larger image of diagram. |
Recommended Grinds for Wood Type
"I have often been asked what racing axe grinds suit various wood
types. The following is my personal preference of grinds, other
competitors may differ here, but I have found the following to work well
in these woods".
Eddie Fawcett
| Wood Type | Recommended Grinds in order of preference |
|---|---|
AUSTRALIA |
|
| Gum | Chisel Grind |
| Mountain Ash | Banana Grind, Chisel Grind |
| Poplar | Supergrind, Banana Grind, Chisel Grind |
| Woolley Butt | Chisel Grind |
EUROPE |
|
| Beech | Chisel grind with a rolled edge |
| Fir | Chisel grind with a rolled edge |
| Poplar | Supergrind, Banana Grind, Chisel Grind |
NEW ZEALAND |
|
| Birch | Chisel Grind |
| Gum | Chisel Grind, Banana Grind |
| Pine (Radiata) | Chisel Grind |
| Poplar | Chisel Grind, Banana Grind, Supergrind |
| Strobus | Chisel Grind, Banana Grind, Supergrind |
| Taraire | Chisel Grind |
SPAIN |
|
| Beech | Chisel Grind with a rolled edge |
| Poplar | Supergrind, Banana Grind, Chisel Grind |
UK |
|
| Poplar | Banana Grind, Supergrind, Chisel Grind |
USA/CANADA |
|
| Alder | Chisel Grind, Banana Grind, Supergrind |
| Aspen | Banana Grind, Supergrind, Chisel Grind |
| Cottonwood | Supergrind, Banana Grind, Chisel Grind |
| Frozen wood | Chisel Grind with a rolled edge |
| White Pine | Banana Grind, Supergrind, Chisel Grind |
Lighter Weight Axes
We are in the process of testing new patterns for lighter weight axes, boys and ladies axes and smaller work axes. We will update details when these are available on the website.