Rods Story

Rod was introduced to lumberjack sports while a university student at UNB and quickly fell in love with the sport his grandfathers on both sides of his family had worked at for decades.    

Rod is a professional Forester, as well as a wildlife Biologist, but his exposure to the handle world came at the bench of Bob Hetherington who made axe handles for the UNB Woodsmen’s team.  Rod sat and watched Bob at his craft for hours, and in later years would lug logs and split them by hand when Bob became unable to.  As Rod’s climb up the lumberjack ladder began, so did his interest in crafting axe handles for himself and fellow competitors.  

The Handle process

Rod was taught right from the beginning. He realized that quality handles result from a quality process from stump to bench.  Employed as a log buyer presently, knows how to read bark and select quality logs on the stump. 

To ensure quality in the entire process demands a bit more labour-intensive process. Rod cuts his logs into 3 foot sections that avoid sweeps, knots and other defects.   Once at home, these logs are then split by hand with a maul and metal wedge to further select for quality, straight-grained wood.   These bolts are allowed to season & dry in his barn and garage, and once below 12 percent moisture content. Then they are ready for the shop and handle processing.

Competing, TV and teaching

Rod purchased his first Tuatahi axe in 1988 from Bailey’s mail order catalogue, but after demand increased, began purchasing directly from Ed Fawcett at Tuatahi axes and saws in Masterton New Zealand, a relationship that has stood the test of time.  He still loves to compete, but his knowledge of the sport launched him into television, and he began co-hosting the Lumberjacks TV Series on TSN and other networks with Bill Deba and Tony Brecknock as a sports analyst. 

Rod has always been passionate about growing the sport, and coaching the UNB Woodsmen and the MCFT woodsmen’s team occupied his time for over 20 years.  This led Rod to coaching the Canadian Rookie Champion, and has made numerous trips to Europe and the STIHL(r) Timbersports(r) World championships bringing home 2 world titles and world records with his sons and other eastern collegiate competitors.

Rod became a certified chainsaw instructor in 1986 and has been teaching chainsaw safety and directional felling ever since, and has trained hundreds of chainsaw operators across the province.  He worked as an arborist in Calgary, Alberta in 1990, and then when he returned to the east coast, started his own tree company that he still operates.  

The business

East Coast Lumberjack has remained a small family business, and three of his 4 children have joined him in the woods and shop both.  Ben gravitated to handle making, and Nathan and Katelyn in the tree removal business when he needs an extra hand.   Emily keeps them well fed!

Excellence and quality are two trademarks of the East Coast Lumberjack.  Each handle order is made from scratch, and to the customers specifications.  Rod also follows up and ensures each customer is completely satisfied with the handles, or replacement and trouble shooting ensue.   Because Rod oversees the quality each step of the way, replacement is a rare occurrence.  

Check out our website, and we look forward to serving you and providing quality products as you require.