Hand Making Axe Handles

[XP_Slinger]

Here’s the latest stick. 22” overall length, I’m going to hang a 3lb single bit on it for use as a wedge driver while felling trees. I think a straight handle will function well for this. We’ll see I guess...lol. Haven’t gotten much done on any handles in the last couple days, my lower back laid me up and it’s cold as all hell in the barn.

 

[XP_Slinger]

It’s funny I’ve looked at ash , elm , holly , oak and other possibilities but I’ve got one little project on the go that I will reveal when I have finished it whether it’s successful or not
White Hedge Ash is always known for its stringy fibres harder to split than forest ash it’s grain is bound together more like Elm
So this is a good wood if it’s straight enough for handles

Great thread love it

How’s your project going?

 

[ajschainsaws]

Here’s the latest stick. 22” overall length, I’m going to hang a 3lb single bit on it for use as a wedge driver while felling trees. I think a straight handle will function well for this. We’ll see I guess...lol. Haven’t gotten much done on any handles in the last couple days, my lower back laid me up and it’s cold as all hell in the barn.
View attachment 101104

That’s a nice strong handle

 

[Cracker Boy]

Good looking there i may check on fleabay for a splitter head and have you make a straight handle for me and send it your wY whats your price them look good bud

 

[ajschainsaws]

How’s your project going?

Haven’t got very far with it yet just been doing other stuff but I’ve been using my 4-way splitting axe did you see it on show me your axes thread

 

[XP_Slinger]

Haven’t got very far with it yet just been doing other stuff but I’ve been using my 4-way splitting axe did you see it on show me your axes thread

Is it the one you made?

 

[ajschainsaws]

Is it the one you made?

I made this axe 2 months ago for splitting nice straight wood around 8-10 inch diameter

 

[ajschainsaws]

Here it is in action

 

[RI Chevy]

Looks like a hammerhead shark. LOL
Cool design. How has it worked for you?

 

[ajschainsaws]

Looks like a hammerhead shark. LOL
Cool design. How has it worked for you?

pretty good it weighs 10lb with handle its a time saver if you have good wood
knotty wood forget it

 

[ajschainsaws]

this is a piece of compressed bamboo

 

[ajschainsaws]

 

[XP_Slinger]

pretty good it weighs 10lb with handle its a time saver if you have good wood
knotty wood forget it

That saves a lot of bending over picking that small stuff up to split it again. Very cool.

 

[XP_Slinger]

View attachment 101537

This is going to be interesting. I bet the only thing tougher than that bamboo for a handle would be steel. Looking forward to seeing your results

 

[Philbert]

Very nice thread (sorry for clogging your in-box with 'likes'!)
So that I understand it, you rough out the handles while the wood is green, and finish when they are dry? How long to dry?

What are you making the wooden wedges out of?

Thanks.

Philbert

 

[XP_Slinger]

Very nice thread (sorry for clogging your in-box with 'likes'!)
So that I understand it, you rough out the handles while the wood is green, and finish when they are dry? How long to dry?

What are you making the wooden wedges out of?

Thanks.

Philbert

No problem on the “like bomb” lol!
Yup that’s the process in a nut shell, they dry pretty quick, a couple weeks in the house (wood stove is going). So much so that I have to moisten the surface once a day so they don’t crack. I’ve still had a couple crack issues and I’m currently hunting mills for seasoned flat sawn hickory or ash. Just hope I can find some to make that handle for the raffle. If I can’t find any it will be a couple months before the winner gets there handle...gotta do it right. Working with dried wood is the best way to do it. I’m making my wedges out of hickory heart wood, it’s harder than the sap wood and really drives in tight.

 

[exSW]

Excellent thread. I'm about to drop some large Ash for lumber. Any special requests for the bandmill? As far as dimensions,cut pattern ect.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Excellent thread. I'm about to drop some large Ash for lumber. Any special requests for the bandmill? As far as dimensions,cut pattern ect.

I’m searching for 8/4 flat sawn. At least I believe that’s the correct term. I need to be able to orient the grain parallel to the axe head like this.

Edited to correct board thickness

 

[XP_Slinger]

Top left in this illustration

 

[exSW]

Got it. Flat sawn in 2" rough.