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Axe Handle Repair?

Started by lowpolyjoe, January 31, 2015, 09:43:55 PM

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lowpolyjoe

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?







Thanks

Don_Papenburg

It'l look a little funny but it could be done.
Frick saw mill  '58   820 John Deere power. Diamond T trucks

isawlogs

 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.  ;)
A man does not always grow wise as he grows old , but he always grows old as he grows wise .

   Marcel

Al_Smith

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

beenthere

south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

Chuck White

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!
~Chuck~  Cooks Cat Claw sharpener and single tooth setter.  2018 Chevy Silverado and 2021 Subaru Ascent.
With basic mechanical skills and the ability to read you can maintain a Woodmizer  LT40!

lowpolyjoe

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.


beenthere

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.
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

trapper

Didn't one of the guys from canada give us a step by step on making an axe handel a couple years ago?
stihl ms241cm ms261cm  echo 310 400 suzuki  log arch made by stepson several logrite tools woodmizer LT30

kevin19343

Cutting down the original handle and refastening it will change the balance of the ax. Get a plastic replacement and be done with it.

thecfarm

Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

rjdankert

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.

lowpolyjoe


SwampDonkey

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
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

isawlogs

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
A man does not always grow wise as he grows old , but he always grows old as he grows wise .

   Marcel

lowpolyjoe

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 :)

Al_Smith

 :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 .

SwampDonkey

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
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Al_Smith

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 .

Al_Smith

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 .

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