Pickaroons
Pickaroons
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE SAPPIES
What is a sappie?
The sappie is also known as a wood turner or wood pusher. Its (axe) head has no cutting edge, but a slightly curved steel spike inclined at an angle of approx. 120° to the handle. The handle is slightly curved, a length of approx. 80 cm is common, models with a shorter handle length are known as handsappies.
What is the Sappie used for?
Its slightly curved steel tip is driven into the lying wood with a single blow. Forestry workers can use it to pull, lift, turn and erect short tree trunks for further processing or loading. Its blunt neck serves as a hammer for driving in or removing back hooks. In the past, lumberjacks used somewhat lighter models (usually with a metal tip at the end of the handle) so that they could also be used as a mountain pole or ice axe in rough terrain.
Long-handled or short-handled?
If you need to move longer, heavier logs or pieces of wood in the forest, the leverage effect of a long wooden handle pays off. You can use it to conveniently lift and turn pieces of wood that are lying on the ground. If you mainly want to pick up shorter pieces of wood, for example to place them on the chopping block and split them into firewood with a splitting axe or splitting hammer, a hand axe with a short handle is practical.
Working safely with the Sappie
Compared to other axes, working with a sappie is less dangerous. Provided the tip of the tool is sharp, a light blow is enough to drive it deep enough into the wood. This means you don't have to swing far or even overhead.
Most accidents occur because the leverage effect of the long handle is underestimated. For example, you should use a felling jack or a cable winch to pull out logs that get jammed in the forest during felling rather than using the Sappie. Never underestimate the weight of a tree trunk! If you have to move long logs, always do this together with a helper who is working with their own sappie. Stay next to the unrolling log, i.e. outside the danger zone.
Sappel, Zapin or Sapie?
Sappi, Handsappel, Sapin, Sappen... In addition to many different shapes, there are also many different regional names for this forestry tool. Its name is derived from the Italian word "zappa" or "zappina", which means "hoe" or "hoe" in English. There are also regional variations on the article, der or die.
