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General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: lowpolyjoe on January 31, 2015, 09:43:55 PM

Title: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: lowpolyjoe on January 31, 2015, 09:43:55 PM
Hey Guys

Is this repairable?   I don't really need it, but rather than throw it out I was wondering if it's fixable.  Is it reasonable to chop off the busted top then shave down a new tenon (if that's what you call it) to remount the head?

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30795/image~70.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30795/image~71.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/30795/image~72.jpg)

Thanks
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: Don_Papenburg on January 31, 2015, 09:48:49 PM
It'l look a little funny but it could be done.
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: isawlogs on January 31, 2015, 09:51:56 PM
 I don't beleive that there is enough head on that handle to reseat the axe properly. ... Now that being said,  you could reseat the axe and hang it on a wall, but I would not do that. I would be afraid of someone taking it down and using it.  Make a new handle for it, carve one and call it yours.  ;)
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: Al_Smith on January 31, 2015, 10:00:12 PM
They don't cost that much .Buy a good one like a Union ,Ames or something ,Hickory .Mind the grain .Should be like a baseball bat with the grain parrellel to the head .

Use the old  one for an ugly stick . ;D
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: beenthere on January 31, 2015, 10:59:15 PM
Time for new..
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: Chuck White on February 01, 2015, 07:28:21 AM
Quote from: Al_Smith on January 31, 2015, 10:00:12 PM
They don't cost that much .Buy a good one like a Union ,Ames or something ,Hickory .Mind the grain .Should be like a baseball bat with the grain parrellel to the head .

Use the old  one for an ugly stick. ;D

My brother, the dog warden in this area used to carry an old axe handle in the truck when he went on a dog call, now he uses some kind of high pitched electronic device that will stop most dogs lookin' for a lunch.

Warning:  In some areas an axe handle (or similar items) are viewed by law enforcement as a weapon, so you could run into legal problems!
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: lowpolyjoe on February 06, 2015, 08:34:59 AM
Thanks for the advice guys.

Might be fun to try to make a handle from scratch.  I might have an oak log that's long enough laying around - been sitting for years.  I also have some ash that's been sitting about a year.  Are either of those usable for this purpose?

If that doesn't work out I see that a new handle is pretty cheap, as you guys have mentioned.

Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: beenthere on February 06, 2015, 10:43:24 AM
Ash or oak should be good.. I'd pick the ash.

But "rive" out the handle blank, don't saw it out. By splitting the wood, you will find the true grain pattern and can fit your handle to the natural curves of that grain. Then work the blank down to the final handle shape and size.
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: trapper on February 06, 2015, 03:51:53 PM
Didn't one of the guys from canada give us a step by step on making an axe handel a couple years ago?
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: kevin19343 on February 06, 2015, 06:00:33 PM
Cutting down the original handle and refastening it will change the balance of the ax. Get a plastic replacement and be done with it.
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: thecfarm on February 06, 2015, 07:07:42 PM
trapper,how time flies. ;D
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,29193.msg419872.html
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: rjdankert on February 06, 2015, 07:21:01 PM
Quote from: lowpolyjoe on January 31, 2015, 09:43:55 PM
Hey Guys

Is this repairable?   . . .

I can't tell looking at the pictures, but if there is enough wood left to fill the eye, then it is.  I've seen this done many times when someone wants to preserve an old handle.  The shorter length is no problem.  It's very common to see 30-36 inch handles on 3-4 pound heads.  It just depends on the user's preference.
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: lowpolyjoe on February 06, 2015, 09:51:13 PM
Quote from: thecfarm on February 06, 2015, 07:07:42 PM
trapper,how time flies. ;D
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,29193.msg419872.html

Great thread, thanks for the link!
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 07, 2015, 05:00:18 AM
Avoid the oak it will shear off. Ash or ironwood or hickory. Uncle had some oak handles for axes one time from a fisherman friend. He wasn't impressed.  :D My uncle hand split a mountain of wood over the years. His uncle always made ironwood (hop-hornbeam) handles. The handles never broke from the force of splitting, but the wood your splitting does not always split neatly in two like white birch, so it chews into the handle wood over time. That's what usually takes them out.

Marcel has made a few handles, I have made some from maple. Never broke one yet, and my old axe has had a handle I made 30 years ago. Of course mine's a camping axe, I'm not splitting a mountain of firewood. ;D
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: isawlogs on February 07, 2015, 10:48:56 PM
Ray .. thanks for bringing that back up, been a while that I put that together. I've added a few handles since then.   :)

  I'll be glad to help any out if questions need answered   :P
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: lowpolyjoe on February 08, 2015, 08:08:32 AM
Quote from: isawlogs on February 07, 2015, 10:48:56 PM
Ray .. thanks for bringing that back up, been a while that I put that together. I've added a few handles since then.   :)

  I'll be glad to help any out if questions need answered   :P

Thanks a lot Marcel!  That was a great thread you wrote.  I'll share my project if I ever have a chance to work on it and i'll probably have some questions :)
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: Al_Smith on February 12, 2015, 09:16:17 PM
 :D I've broken so many axe handles I used to buy them 2 or 3 at a time .Anymore you have to go through about a dozen to find a good one ,even Ames .
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 13, 2015, 04:25:44 AM
You shouda had a Garant.  ;D :D

Something funny, my grandfather was in Rhode Island visiting relatives. He picked up an axe down there, made in Canada stamped on it. My uncle began using it for splitting firewood in March-April. The metal wasn't tempered for an axe, as the thin edge crumbled to bits.  This time the handle outlasted the head. :D
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: Al_Smith on February 13, 2015, 04:56:08 AM
I'm not certain if you can find any modern made axes that are good splitters.They seem to be made for combination stuff and aren't well suited for either .Long skinny head.

I have a 5 pounder ,hand forged that is likely in excess of 100 years old.Short broad head that was made for splitting.

In addition to that I have my dads double bit cruiser that has never been left outside,never had the handle replaced and never had a file used on it .Reason no file,steel is too hard .It's as old as I am .
Title: Re: Axe Handle Repair?
Post by: Al_Smith on February 13, 2015, 05:05:53 AM
Now as far as recycling a broken handle for an ugly stick .When I was a teeny bopper I had a trap line .I used old axe handles,sledge hammer handles and shovel handles to dispatch critters in the traps .A live 'coon or muskrat can flat eat you up if you aren't carefull  :o

Always had a bunch of broken handles,I could break them all expect a pick handle .