your tools.
Find your axe. You have at least one axe don't you? If you don't own
one, borrow one.
Now, take a good look at it and tell me this, was that your
grandfather's axe or did you buy it at the local big box home and
garden store?
What's the difference you ask? It's just an axe. Oh come on! I could
shoot an entire documentary about the axe.
In fact, I already have.
Yep, this is shameless self promotion -- Cutting Edge Edition!
The kind folks at Actuality Productions invited me to produce and
write an episode of "Modern Marvels." Well of course I was flattered,
said "yes, that would be fascinating," and waited to hear what the
topic was.
"Axes," they said. My first thought was "hmmmmm, no moving parts."
Nine days of shooting later I'd been from Blaine, Washington, to Lake
Waccamaw, North Carolina, and found out that the axe has a pretty
interesting story.
To find out what makes the axe a Modern Marvel tune in to the History
Channel (like Cher and Bono, it now goes by just a one-word name,
"History") on May 7th, Wednesday at 8pm EST/PST.
Set your tivo, help keep a Durgin employed.
Here's the Modern Marvels' schedule page:
http://tinyurl.com/ngf9s
On this episode of Modern Marvels it's the cutting edge of one of the
world's oldest tools and sharpest weapons: the axe. Chipped from
stone or forged from high tech steel the axe cuts across time and
cultures. To understand the physics that make the axe a dangerous and
efficient cutting tool we'll examine the technique of competitive
lumberjacks, and Jills, as they chop through 12-inch logs in a matter
of seconds. Modern Marvels visits the production line at one of the
nation's largest axe manufacturers to see how hot metal is forged
into a modern axe. We'll take a swing with a Vikings' battleaxe,
designed to chop arms and legs instead of wood, then see which knight
would win in a fight of sword versus axe. We'll show why the Native
American tomahawk is making a comeback as a modern tactical weapon.
We'll take to the woods to find the sharpest lumbermen who'd rather
pick up an axe than a chainsaw. Then we meet a sharp collector who
doesn't have an axe to grind, he has more than 1000. Finally we'll
see why the classic fireman's axe remains an invaluable lifesaving tool.
Wednesday May 7 on History – at 8pm EST/ PST.
And for your bemusement.... a link to photos from the great axe road
trip:
http://flickr.com/photos/cookieduster/sets/72157603983163090/
No comments:
Post a Comment