It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of researching different axe types when there are so many axes, differing in terms of blade shape, handle length, purpose, and more. Exploring axe shapes is also a way to learn more about history, since so many axes are tied to specific jobs and places in time. A swamper’s axe is one of those axe types that has a unique historical origin once you research it.
Swamper’s axes were used by “swampers,” or teams of men that were essentially the clean-up crew of the logging industry. They used swamper axes to limb fallen trees and cut them into logs as well as to clear paths through the forest. That is why swamper axes have their distinctive bit and appearance.
Here is everything you never thought you would want to know about a swamper’s axe.
What Is a Swamper’s Axe
A swamper’s axe is visually very distinct from a different type of axe, such as a Jersey axe. It also serves a different purpose.
Swamper’s axes are axes with double bits, or double-bladed axe heads. They are designed to work quickly when breaking down trees and other wood in the forest.
If you’re having trouble keeping track of the different types of axes, here is our handy guide to two dozen axes and axe heads.
Who Is a Swamper?
Swamper axes got their name because swampers used them.
Swampers were work crews in the logging industry who didn’t cut down the trees but did the dirty work of making logging possible. They limbed trees once they were on the ground, cut the trunks into manageable parts, and did other odd jobs necessary to make the logging happen. They also made the logging roads by clearing underbrush and other debris that created obstacles in the forest.
Swamping was a dangerous, demanding job. Swampers had to work fast to help the crew progress and get out of the way as loggers cut down more trees. Their job had many demands, so they came up with an axe that could meet those demands. Swamper’s axes work faster than logging axes and under more strenuous conditions.
Although swamping is hard work, bosses considered it to be easier than logging because they weren’t actually cutting down big trees. Swampers were usually paid less than loggers and treated as the grunt workers.
Design Features of a Swamper’s Axe
The swamper’s axe has a few distinct design features. These include:
Double-bladed axe head
The axe head has a double blade, meaning that one blade faces out from each side of the handle. This allows the swampers to work faster.
A wide, rounded bit
The bit is another name for the blade or handle. If you look at a swamper’s axe, its bit has rounded edges and is a lot wider than logging axes. That allows whoever is using the axe to work faster because the blades have more surface area that will come in contact with the wood.
Sturdy handle
Every part of the swamper’s axe has to hold up to wear and tear. That is why even the handle is sturdy, making it easy to work with.
History of the Swamper’s Axe
The history of the swamper’s axe is inseparable from the history of the logging industry in the United States. Logging as an industry started in North America before the United States was even a country, when Europeans first came to the continent. The industry really became an economic powerhouse in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
By the 19th century, logging had moved from its Northeastern origins and was now one of the most important industries in the South as well. By this time, the modern way of logging, with dedicated teams, became widespread in the industry.
By 1857, the term “swamper” was first recorded as a name for these work crews, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. It’s safe to assume that the axe also became popular around this time.
Modern Brands of the Swamper’s Axe
The swamper’s axe has a long history, but it is still useful in the present day. Some professionals in the timber industry still use it. Even if you’re not a professional logger, you can use it to break down trees or cut through brush on your property.
If you want a swamper’s axe of your own, some brands manufacture them.
- Black Raven
- True American
- Plumb
Collins is another great manufacturer of swamper’s axes, whether you want a truly modern tool or a more vintage axe.
Final Thoughts
Broad, efficient swamper’s axes got their start in the logging industry where crews that cleared roads and broke down trees used them but are still popular today.
