Hand Making Axe Handles

[ajschainsaws]

Looking real good.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[emoji32] wow

Thanks they’ve been fInishing up well so far

 

[Junior Samples]

How does it split wood . . . ?
The hammer, not the wedge.


Never any issues on mine summer/winter.
Just keep the handle dry, especially the ax head end!

I have been away for a while but years ago when I was growing up in Pa, there were a group of men that got together and we would throw Tomohawks like they throw darts and sometime axes, but my question is we would soak our hawk heads in water over night and they would swell up and make the handles tight. Was that bad? PS we had a game called handles and so the handles would not last long anyway.

 

[RI Chevy]

An old timer once told me to hang the handle to the head, and then soak in a bucket of water for a day or so.
I tried it once. I didn't care for that. The heads obviously rust badly. Lol
Good thing it was just a cheap handle and head. [emoji106]

 

[Wilhelm]

I have been away for a while but years ago when I was growing up in Pa, there were a group of men that got together and we would throw Tomohawks like they throw darts and sometime axes, but my question is we would soak our hawk heads in water over night and they would swell up and make the handles tight. Was that bad? PS we had a game called handles and so the handles would not last long anyway.

Each time You soak the ax/handle eye the wooden handle swells, problem is once the wood starts drying the head will be more loose than before soaking it.

I was taught to soak wooden handled tools, it never worked for me.

 

[XP_Slinger]

I have been away for a while but years ago when I was growing up in Pa, there were a group of men that got together and we would throw Tomohawks like they throw darts and sometime axes, but my question is we would soak our hawk heads in water over night and they would swell up and make the handles tight. Was that bad? PS we had a game called handles and so the handles would not last long anyway.

My dad told me that trick too. I tried it when I was young and it tightened up but loosened up again only to be worse than before soaking. I think the soak method is good so long as you're soaking it in some sort of oil that won't evaporate and/or damage the wood like water does. I soaked one in diesel fuel as an experiment 5 months ago, still tight so far

 

[RI Chevy]

Just asking. Has anyone made a handle out if a round branch? I know grain orientation might not be the best, but some round branches cut to 48" lengths seem pretty strong.
Just trying to get a better understanding of the ins and outs of building a strong handle.

 

[ajschainsaws]

The soaking of the handle method seems to be a worldwide thing these ole timers where telling us all a bit of a yarn I think these loose handles where Down too folks who couldn’t be bothered or had time too fix the handle and it was easier to put it In the bucket after work and pick it up In the morning

 

[ajschainsaws]

Just asking. Has anyone made a handle out if a round branch? I know grain orientation might not be the best, but some round branches cut to 48" lengths seem pretty strong.
Just trying to get a better understanding of the ins and outs of building a strong handle.

I’ve been eyeing up a couple of nice lower Douglas fir branches they’ve taken all the wind and shake for many a year they’ve also held all that weight from the foliage , only problem the pith grain probably won’t be in the centre

@RI Chevy it gotta be worth having a go

 

[jakethesnake]

Just asking. Has anyone made a handle out if a round branch? I know grain orientation might not be the best, but some round branches cut to 48" lengths seem pretty strong.
Just trying to get a better understanding of the ins and outs of building a strong handle.

It won’t be as strong. Not trying to be a know it all. That’s the reason you want the grain to run with the edge of the axe. Not saying it wouldn’t work. There’s a method to the madness. Good looking work fellas. I’ve not made any progress just yet. I’m gonna try maple. The log is laying out back but I haven’t gotten to it yet it was five million below and covered in snow. I can see it out there now. I’m gonna make an effort soon

 

[RI Chevy]

I’ve been eyeing up a couple of nice lower Douglas fir branches they’ve taken all the wind and shake for many a year they’ve also held all that weight from the foliage , only problem the pith grain probably won’t be in the centre

@RI Chevy it gotta be worth having a go

I have 3 nice maple branches that I will try and make something with.
But I do understand the grain will be circular vs. Straight stacked. I may try and make some smaller hammer handles.

 

[stikine]

As mentioned earlier, soaking your axe head / handle in water is only a temporary fix to tighten things up because the water will swell the wood cells but when it evaporates you will have an even looser head. Instead of water soak the head and handle in boiled or raw linseed oil. Not only does the linseed oil swell the wood cells it doesn't evaporate afterwards and makes a great handle finish. I soak the head in a tray with an inch or so of linseed oil and let it wick into the wood. Once or twice a day I'll use a rag and coat the entire handle until the wood won't soak up anymore oil...this can take several days.

 

[ajschainsaws]

As mentioned earlier, soaking your axe head / handle in water is only a temporary fix to tighten things up because the water will swell the wood cells but when it evaporates you will have an even looser head. Instead of water soak the head and handle in boiled or raw linseed oil. Not only does the linseed oil swell the wood cells it doesn't evaporate afterwards and makes a great handle finish. I soak the head in a tray with an inch or so of linseed oil and let it wick into the wood. Once or twice a day I'll use a rag and coat the entire handle until the wood won't soak up anymore oil...this can take several days.

Great information well worth doing

 

[ajschainsaws]

Done a couple more oak handles made them a bit more meatier this time
and I’ve got a nice piece of holly roughed out

 

[Philbert]

You make it look easy!

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Very nice. What handle length are you using? 36"

 

[ajschainsaws]

Very nice. What handle length are you using? 36"

Yes spot on I start the blanks at 42” then end up with a 36” too finish gives
you a bit of room for over doing the shaving

 

[ajschainsaws]

You make it look easy!

Philbert

Thanks there’s hours of work gone into them not profitable at all but after seeing the finish you can get on the oak it’s well worth it
The holly hasn’t got much character too Work with its having a another night or two in the house too dry a little and hopefully will see a bit of colour come through

 

[ajschainsaws]

 

[jakethesnake]

Maple?

 

[ajschainsaws]

that was a hedge grown holly it came down in the storm it had root rot