SHOW ME YOUR AXES

[ajschainsaws]

Not quite completely roughed in...gotta go to work.
View attachment 94634

That’ll be a beaut when you’ve finished it off

 

[RI Chevy]

How did you cut that handle out? With a band saw?
Looks really good. [emoji106]

 

[XP_Slinger]

How did you cut that handle out? With a band saw?
Looks really good.

Thanks man. Most of initial shaping has been done with a draw knife. I'm shopping for a band saw as we speak...LOL!

 

[XP_Slinger]

So I have discovered that I oriented the grain wrong in my handle. I swear I remembered reading that the grain should be perpendicular to the axe head. I obviously recalled incorrectly as that is the exact opposite of what I am finding on the web...time to start over.

 

[Likesaws]

So I have discovered that I oriented the grain wrong in my handle. I swear I remembered reading that the grain should be perpendicular to the axe head. I obviously recalled incorrectly as that is the exact opposite of what I am finding on the web...time to start over.

Have not made handles but when I read up on them, planning on trying to make a couple. Research I done said don’t use heart wood, white wood is best a little flexible and won’t break as easy. Makes sense to me.
What did you find on bandsaws looking my self.
Thanks

 

[Cracker Boy]

I'm old school I guess, I let handle protrude about 1/4in out and cut my on wood wedge an beat it in. No metal wedges for me but I don't really use my axes other than my wedge beater [emoji38]

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That is ild school german sweed thibg there my dad was a master carpenter.he was from pa center county.he learned from the germans and sweeds.i watched him fix hammers sledges axes when i was a kid like that

 

[CR888]

So I have discovered that I oriented the grain wrong in my handle. I swear I remembered reading that the grain should be perpendicular to the axe head. I obviously recalled incorrectly as that is the exact opposite of what I am finding on the web...time to start over.

There is a good pencil diagram of grain orientation from an axe book I will try to cut & paste. Your well on the right track. Knots are not too good. Many types of wood can be used as handles, the main reason certain wood species are used by handle makers who produce a ton of them is due to their 'straight' nature with minimal defects. Certain species make commercial sense. But if your making one or two handle for yourself you can use your favourite hardwood if you choose the piece with care. Ya the bandsaw can remove a lot of hard work & speed things up a bunch. Good stuff! Off the shelf handles are for wimps!

 

[XP_Slinger]

Have not made handles but when I read up on them, planning on trying to make a couple. Research I done said don’t use heart wood, white wood is best a little flexible and won’t break as easy. Makes sense to me.
What did you find on bandsaws looking my self.
Thanks

Just looking on Craigslist I found several bandsaws for under $200.

 

[XP_Slinger]

There is a good pencil diagram of grain orientation from an axe book I will try to cut & paste. Your well on the right track. Knots are not too good. Many types of wood can be used as handles, the main reason certain wood species are used by handle makers who produce a ton of them is due to their 'straight' nature with minimal defects. Certain species make commercial sense. But if your making one or two handle for yourself you can use your favourite hardwood if you choose the piece with care. Ya the bandsaw can remove a lot of hard work & speed things up a bunch. Good stuff! Off the shelf handles are for wimps!

I believe I found the book you’re referencing. Funny thing is I had seen it before and that’s what a remembered backwards. Or should I say didn’t remember, my memory sucks. Oh well, I’ve got plenty of wood to split a new slab out of. Gotta do it right

 

[XP_Slinger]

Well, I screwed it up pretty bad but I learned a lot. The next one will be better.

 

[Cracker Boy]

Looks good to me

 

[leadfarmer]

Well, I screwed it up pretty bad but I learned a lot. The next one will be better.
View attachment 94764

I'd say it's scrap man, pm me for address [emoji38]

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[ajschainsaws]

Yeah looks very good

 

[srcarr52]

I'd swing it till I breaks.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Thanks for the compliments but if you saw how poorly it’s mounted you’d laugh your asses off.

 

[CR888]

Looks good to me

X2....me likey that fat handle end. Some sanding and oiling will finish it nice. Hand forged bits deserve hand made handles.

 

[XP_Slinger]

X2....me likey that fat handle end. Some sanding and oiling will finish it nice. Hand forged bits deserve hand made handles.

Thanks. I’m on the hunt for a spoke shave. Contouring the handle swells with a draw shave was difficult and peel out drove me to drink. Hickory is stringy as all hell and I’m wondering if ash would be a little more forgiving.

 

[ajschainsaws]

been waiting for this little box too arrive

 

[ajschainsaws]

Cleaned it up a little bit

 

[ajschainsaws]

Quite a bit smaller than I expected Norlund 2 1/2lb
It’s sitting next too a Plumb 3 1/2lb
gonna have too think about a smaller handle