Made my first axe handle

[21incher]

I broke the handle on a 30 year old camping axe a little while back and could not locate a exact replacement so I tried making one. I don't have any hickory so I decided to try using ash. Time will tell how long it lasts. A couple hours with a spoke shave, files, and sandpaper and the axe is like new again. Just have to find a hickory tree for future handles now that I know how easy they are to make.


 

[JV]

Nice job.  I'm sure the ash will work fine.  I have an old shave horse and handle making is very enjoyable.

[Kbeitz]

I have been using dogwood for my handles.

[caveman]

That is a good looking handle.  I think the ash should serve you well.  I have made replacement handles for my 3 lb. hammer and my 2 lb. ball peen handle out of ash and they have held up to my use so far.

[bucknwfl]

Persimmon is where it's at

Thanks

Buck

[trapper]

I used a disc grinder for mine.  A few years back there was a thread on the forum on how to make them by one of our northern members.

[WDH]

Good job.  Nice walnut board.

[21incher]

Nice job.  I'm sure the ash will work fine.  I have an old shave horse and handle making is very enjoyable.

It was fun and relaxing to make. First time I used a spoke shave and I now have to make a shave horse for other projects.

Good job.  Nice walnut board.

Will trade walnut for hickory  ;D

[bucknwfl]

Don't start that with WDH he will be cutting down every hickory in Georgia

[WDH]

I just happen to have some pecan which is a hickory  ;D. 

[btulloh]

"Will trade walnut for hickory"

You tell me when the log truck load of walnut is heading my way and I'll send a fully loaded truck of hickory to your place.  8)

[btulloh]

But ash makes great handles.  And bats.

[grouch]

I broke the handle on a 30 year old camping axe a little while back and could not locate a exact replacement so I tried making one. I don't have any hickory so I decided to try using ash. Time will tell how long it lasts. A couple hours with a spoke shave, files, and sandpaper and the axe is like new again. Just have to find a hickory tree for future handles now that I know how easy they are to make.


 

Looks really nice!

I'd suggest cutting that doe's foot off the end. A square cut allows you to bump the end of the handle on a stump to drive the head back on tight. I'd also suggest that oil is the only proper finishing material for a handle -- either your skin oil or something like linseed. Manufacturers like to do paint and varnish or polyurethane for marketing, but it makes blisters or slick grips. Scraping with broken glass makes a really good surface for gripping. (Had a grand (or great?) uncle who growled at me for using sandpaper on a handle. Said I might as well buy one if I was gonna put all those scratches in it to collect crap).

[Bruno of NH]

Nice work
Nothing like a wooden handle and best when you make it your self

[21incher]

I broke the handle on a 30 year old camping axe a little while back and could not locate a exact replacement so I tried making one. I don't have any hickory so I decided to try using ash. Time will tell how long it lasts. A couple hours with a spoke shave, files, and sandpaper and the axe is like new again. Just have to find a hickory tree for future handles now that I know how easy they are to make.


 

Looks really nice!

I'd suggest cutting that doe's foot off the end. A square cut allows you to bump the end of the handle on a stump to drive the head back on tight. I'd also suggest that oil is the only proper finishing material for a handle -- either your skin oil or something like linseed. Manufacturers like to do paint and varnish or polyurethane for marketing, but it makes blisters or slick grips. Scraping with broken glass makes a really good surface for gripping. (Had a grand (or great?) uncle who growled at me for using sandpaper on a handle. Said I might as well buy one if I was gonna put all those scratches in it to collect crap).

I have to say that I don't agree with you. The doe's foot allows me to get a good grip at the end of the shorter handle which is usefull on a small axe and there is a small flat on the end. The original was sanded and varnished which suited me well for over 30 years so the news one received the same treatment. We all like different flavors of ice cream.

[21incher]

"Will trade walnut for hickory"

You tell me when the log truck load of walnut is heading my way and I'll send a fully loaded truck of hickory to your place.  8)

You would have loved the 3 log truck loads of walnut they took from the farm down the road. The small logs were 24 inches and most were 3 feet.  

[grouch]

[snip]

We all like different flavors of ice cream.

That's all well and good... but if you don't like real strawberry ice cream with dry roasted peanuts stirred in it, you're just not human! Might be some kind of invading alien life form out to pollute our precious bodily fluids.


If that axe fits your hand then it not only looks good, it is good. And both of those would be true whether it's your first or your 500th.

As to the material, I'd take ash for a swinging handle over straight grained hickory sapwood any day.

[Kbeitz]

Many years ago when I was young and thought I knew everything I replaced
a broken wood ax handle with a steel pipe. That steel pipe almost took off
my ear. I heated a chunk of black plastic pipe and slid it over the steel. It
looked real good but it hurts when it bites back. It now sits in the corner of
the shop collecting dust reminding me not to do that again.

[123maxbars]

Good job.  Nice walnut board.

haha Danny always looking for walnut!

[123maxbars]

Good looking handle. I use ash also sometimes. I am an axe junkie with way too many axes the wife says,

What brand axe is that/makers mark? looks like a GBA maybe.

[WDH]

Yes  :-\

[21incher]

Good looking handle. I use ash also sometimes. I am an axe junkie with way too many axes the wife says,

What brand axe is that/makers mark? looks like a GBA maybe.

It is a Sandvic 1 3/4 pound camp axe that I purchased over 30 years ago for canoe camping trips. I first tried replacing it with a 2 lb boys axe from TSC and there was no comparison so the only option was make a handle.

[21incher]

Many years ago when I was young and thought I knew everything I replaced
a broken wood ax handle with a steel pipe. That steel pipe almost took off
my ear. I heated a chunk of black plastic pipe and slid it over the steel. It
looked real good but it hurts when it bites back. It now sits in the corner of
the shop collecting dust reminding me not to do that again.

I have a large ballpein hammer that my dad found at the dump and welded a pipe handle to the head. 1 good strike will make your hand numb for a hour, I guess that is why he wore heavy leather gloves when using it . That one also sits in a drawer as a reminder. Estwing seems to be the only manufacturer that makes good steel handled tools. 

[21incher]

[snip]

We all like different flavors of ice cream.

That's all well and good... but if you don't like real strawberry ice cream with dry roasted peanuts stirred in it, you're just not human! Might be some kind of invading alien life form out to pollute our precious bodily fluids.


If that axe fits your hand then it not only looks good, it is good. And both of those would be true whether it's your first or your 500th.

As to the material, I'd take ash for a swinging handle over straight grained hickory sapwood any day.

I like pistachio, don't eat strawberry.   ;D . Doesn't seem to have any strange vibrations after a couple good hits,  it is nice and solid. I am going to start picking up some more heads from flea markets and fix a couple more old gems.

[Magicman]

Very nice job building that axe handle Ed.

My favorite axe has an Elm handle, (but I didn't build it).