Hand Making Axe Handles

[ajschainsaws]

Hickory is king for handles no doubt. Doesn't mean nothing else will work good. Ash is supposed to be good but I can tell you, it feels completely different than the hickory I've been working with. I have an old ax that has the grain oriented completely wrong but the handle is still being used. It has had A LOT of over strikes too, the gouge below the ax is close to a 1/2" deep.

Yeah ash is very good can’t never complain it’s all we had over here until the paddle steamers brought over this fancy wood called “ickry” and it has been all the rage ever since
Oak is hard and the shock feeds through

 

[ajschainsaws]

How is oak?
I have a couple of small pieces drying right now for small hammer handles.

Oak looks nice when finished off the handles come up Like a classy bit of furniture

 

[ajschainsaws]

Lol. It's all good. If we were on my boat, I'd throw you over. Lol

This one is for you pair

 

[RI Chevy]

Lol. Too funny.

 

[ajschainsaws]

Last week i thought right give the axe handles a rest for a while
Then we has a storm now I’ve got a few candidates for handles
One piece of sweet chesnut I cut it 40” long split it down nice grain
Split it again , nice even piece of wood perfect

Then somebody offers me some Caribbean Hardwood offcuts for firewood
I cannot say NO well it turns out most of these offcuts are
42” long
5” wide
2” deep
So Guess what there the right size for , axe handles are back on the menu again

 

[RI Chevy]

Lol. Gotta love the opportunities though.
Should make for some really nice handles.

 

[ajschainsaws]

I thought the bamboo was heavy but this iroko? Is tough chit and heavy

 

[XP_Slinger]

Time to start slinging oil on this. Once again the fawns foot is smaller than I intended it to be because a crack forced me to change the shape. Feels great despite the smaller foot. Pretty proud of this one.

 

[RI Chevy]

Absolutely awesome. Looks like it is factory.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Absolutely awesome. Looks like it is factory.

Thanks Jeff.

 

[ajschainsaws]

Time to start slinging oil on this. Once again the fawns foot is smaller than I intended it to be because a crack forced me to change the shape. Feels great despite the smaller foot. Pretty proud of this one.
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Yeah looks perfect it’s a stunner

 

[XP_Slinger]

Yeah looks perfect it’s a stunner

Thank ya Sir

 

[ajschainsaws]

Put several coats of linseed on this holly stick

 

[ajschainsaws]

 

[RI Chevy]

I wonder how that knot will hold up?

 

[ajschainsaws]

It’s quite a bit lighter in colour than the other homemades

 

[jakethesnake]

I went an bought two handles. I’ll probably try again.

 

[ajschainsaws]

I went an bought two handles. I’ll probably try again.

Yeah you should that’s a nice head but you gotta try these different woods
I’ve split out a nice piece of sweet chesnut but don’t know if it’ll be strong enough

 

[ajschainsaws]

I wonder how that knot will hold up?

Yeah it’s a shame it’s right there it’s a bit like having a big spot on your nose

 

[jakethesnake]

I kinda wanted one on a stick asap was why I bought a handle. I like tinkering with them. If I’m out clearing and find something else worth a go before I hack it to firewood length I’ll probably get my table saw out. Or even free hand mill some with chainsaw That would be fairly effortless