Hand Making Axe Handles

I had that very thought, but it does feel like cheating too me. Not sure why lol

 

It cracked while hanging the head. I need a better tool for that process. Or, I need to leave the handle end unfinished for hanging then shape it once it’s hung.

Small chunk came off because of the grain runout where I contoured the curve in the handle.

 

Ah I got it wrong , yes that is a shame splitting at the last moment or two
I've often wondered about making up a jig with a curve at the end , and cut a piece of ash nearly the right shape then Steaming it and force it into the jig and get the fawns foot in the curved end of the jig and let it bend
With some more hot steam or boiling water on it

 

Yup, literally broke on the last smack to make sure the head was seated tight.

That’s a good idea. My only inexperienced thought would be that I think the wood will try to return to its original shape over time...wouldn’t it? When I think about applications where wood is steamed into shape it’s almost always fastened into position afterward...drums, boats, musical instruments etc. I wonder if it would hold shape without being fastened into position. Out of my depth of experience for sure

 

I thought I’d post a pic of the handle that I had to glue, long story short...

Brought from a car boot sale £3.50 had to clean it up and oil it.

Upon refitting the head a few times I realised the head is not the best and is not inline with handle hole, it fitted better the wrong way up. After not really staying put I tried to refit ant the handle split just in side the yellow line.
I glued it, waterproof wood glue then bound it up till dry. Then sanded it and re oiled and just fitted the head.

The next time will be a new handle..
Btw. Other pic is just so you can see the whole axe.

 

I bet it holds up for a long time. Nice looking hueing ax

 

Yeah I think your right it would go back to its original shape no good for a striking tool handle

 

Just a Heads up here.
@ 13:25 this fella says about takin the edge off the base of the handle otherwise...

Or here’s a screenshot

 

That makes perfect sense. Had I finished the end my handle wouldn’t have cracked. I always waited til the handle was pretty much done before finishing the end with a chamfer. Thanks for sharing!

 

collected some off cuts for wedge making yesterday and couldn't resist some photos of the decent wood

 

i like this 30" handle on the right alot

 

Very nice. How do you hang the ax without hurting the fawns foot though?

 

Tap tap

 

had a few nice used double bit handles come in

 

if it looks stable and solid I make sure it’s chamfered nice and wrap a rag around
It but on delicate ones I wrap it in cohesive bandage and use a rubber or wood mallet

 

making use of a old handle give a new lease of life

.

 

I've been doing this lately running a half round rasp along the top of a new handle before fitting the head it really helps the wedge to go in

 

Good idea.

 

Thanks Jeff as they say as you get older your supposed to get wiser