>>1929948>>1930142>(cont.)You're definitely right about potentially damaging your axe on rocks and dirt, and aside from making sure the area you're working on if splitting on the ground is free of rocks there's not much you can do, as you will introduce the axe to the ground eventually. This issue can be balanced out however with a steeper primary bevel angle and a convex grind on splitting axes (see pic related) that not only helps wedge the fibers apart, but also has a much stronger backbone for the edge. This makes any potentially brutal would be chips in the edge just a dent that can be worked out quickly with a stone/puck. This type of damage is possible on chopping axes as well however. Bark picks up sand, small stones, dirt, etc from wind and storms, and knots can also roll/dent/chip an edge. Working damage out a bit just comes with the territory unfortunately.
Keep in mind that I'm not saying a chopping block is the "wrong way" and my way is the "right way", and i apologize if i phrased things to sound like that was the case. It's just my opinion based on personal experience. Doing what you find to be the most efficient and the most comfortable is the right way for sure.
