learning a new skill

Last week, I had an axe throwing tournament to work with Serenity Knives.  When it was first spoken about, the thought was I would be there for sales and for sharpening.  I sharpen axes.  I do not sharpen meat slicers yet but I can see it coming.  It will be if I get them apart.

The thing is, the tournament was a national event.  The best throwers from all over the country were there.  Not big to the skating events I used to do but big when it comes to axe throwing.  The prize was nice.

What does that have to do with me learning a new skill?  More hands were needed to grind on axes.  I was taught how to profile an axe.  What does that mean?  The shape of the axe head is changed to it sticks better when it is thrown at a target.  It starts with what is called a hollow grind.

Here is the funny about a hollow grind.  I have been around enough new knife makers at this point to know that a hollow grind can be intimidating.  What I start with?  A hollow grind on an axe.  That is then blended in to reach certain measurements.  The calipers come out.  I did not do badly.  On the five axes I profiled, a little clean up was needed and sharpening.  But hands and forearms were done.  So done I could not pick up a pot to start dinner without pain.

So the Big Rob profile is what I learned next week.  Then Big Rob wanted to take a big axe (Asgord) and make it into a hatchet.  Four actually.  That became a big thing this weekend.  Changing shapes all over the place.  I still did a lot of sales and sharpening.  Because two of us grinding that hard kept tripping the surge protector.  

I learned a lot.  I have more to learn.  Including how to throw an axe, large and small, so I can tell if a profile works.  It would be cool if I became good but I do not need to be.  I just need to be able to stick an axe.