SPLIT THE BALL TARGET QUESTION

[Rifleman1776]

Being an amatuer blacksmith I'd say the Axe steel was WAY too hard, maybe had been in a camp fire to burn out the handle. That's how my Granddad removed broken handles. We know better now.

That was kinda what I thought at the time also. Didn't matter why to angry member.

 

[nhmoose]

Why not just use a double bit axe?

 

[J. Paul]

Very nice! How did you imbed the blade?

On mine, I used a single bit axe and welded a lag bolt onto the head. It has been used over 15 years and still has a good unbroken edge

 

[longcruise]

Why not just use a double bit axe?

That's how I do it. Eventually we are going to shoot the handle off.

 

[necchi]

Why not just use a double bit axe?

Honestly, it's because if your going to do anything more than just a one on one shoot too "split the ball,,
, a double bit axe stuck in the end of a log is the hardest thing to maintain during a competition with a "split the ball" as an event.
Settin that blade hard and deep in the sawed end of a log is easy to do the first time, when it's all stand up like split'n,,
,but you lay that log down with the axe in it, set up the split target base with nails, then start smacking it side to side with "near miss" shot's.
Guess what? That blade fall's out. Every time.
It's nearly impossible for someone to straddle that log lay'n on the ground with both feet and swing the axe to the exact position without "cant or cast".

"Split the ball" is the same as "cut the string" and "cut the card" or "snuff the candle".
It's all horizontal.
Just put the front blade on the target, use proper trigger and don't "peek" or flinch, aka; follow through

 

[Rob M.]

25 yards . I good round slab from a tree trunk., approximately 36" in diameter , no smaller , take a double bit axe and bite it right in the middle . Set slab up , handle of axe pointing up , support slab then two nails to support clay pigeons on each side of blade . Such fun !