What’s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

What&#8217s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

Every time you are chopping up wooden, the last thing you want is for your axe to crack. To stop this from happening, it is essential to pick the best wooden for your axe take care of. But what is the very best wood?

In this report, we reply just that. We search at the nine very best wood sorts for axe handles, examine their attributes, and offer you with a convenient consumer guide. This manual addresses factors to contemplate when choosing wood, how to make your personal handle, and maintaining the deal with.

The 9 Best Woods for an Axe Handle

1. Hickory

What&#8217s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

Hickory is the most common wooden kind for producing an axe handle, and it has long been a preferred since the founding of The united states. There are a number of causes that contribute to Hickory’s popularity. Firstly, Hickory is a domestic wooden that is identified all more than the country, generating it readily offered and cost-effective.

In addition to affordability, Hickory is really robust. Because it is a straight-grained hardwood, it is hugely durable, absorbs shock, and minimizes consumer fatigue. These elements guarantee that a Hickory axe deal with will previous several several years of use.

Far more so, the straight-grained nature of Hickory makes it less complicated and more convenient for fashioning the manage. This wood produces straight staves, which can easily be carved into an axe deal with.

Pros
  • Readily available in America
  • Affordable
  • Strong hardwood
  • Produces straight staves
  • Traditional look
Cons
  • Not as attractive as other woods
  • Sensitive to extreme weather conditions

2. Oak

What&#8217s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

One more well-liked wood type for axe handles is Oak. In many methods, Oak is common for the very same motives as Hickory. Like Hickory, Oak is a readily offered wood sort in The united states. As a consequence, you will be able to locate Oak simply and at an cost-effective price.

A lot more so, Oak is one of the most tough woods accessible. It has a substantial density, which makes it possible for the wood to be powerful and soak up some of the shock. These information permit Oak to final for a lot of a long time and minimize consumer tiredness.

The major draw back of using Oak is that it is a lot more vulnerable to splintering than other wood sorts. In buy to avert your manage from splintering, you will need to have to oil it frequently.

Pros
  • Readily available
  • Affordable
  • Very strong
  • Absorbs shock
  • Resistant to bugs and fungi
Cons
  • Splinters if not maintained

3. Ash

What&#8217s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

Ash is the most frequent wood in European countries, but it is accessible all all around the globe. For this reason, ash is a popular wood selection for axe handles. Ash has extended fibers that enable the wooden to soak up shock effortlessly, reducing consumer exhaustion.

In addition, Ash is robust and adaptable. The energy will permit the take care of to withstand years of use. At the exact same time, flexibility will permit the handle to move with the shocks, which not only minimizes consumer fatigue but also stops it from splitting or chipping.

The primary downside of Ash is that it is not as tough as Hickory or Oak. As a consequence, it will not very last as lengthy as the other two wooden types, specially if it is remaining outside.

Pros
  • Available around the world
  • Absorbs shock easily
  • Minimizes user fatigue
  • Durable
  • Flexible
Cons
  • Will not last as long as Hickory or Oak

4. Sugar Maple

What’s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?
Image Credit: Paula Cobleigh, Shutterstock

Sugar Maple, also referred to as Challenging Maple, is native to North The usa. It has lengthy been used for generating baseball bats, but some folks also use it for creating axe handles. The primary reason for this is its power.

However, its power tends to make it more brittle as effectively. As a outcome, they are less complicated to shatter when making use of. In addition, Sugar Maple does not soak up shock nicely. This triggers the consumer to become much more fatigued when handling an axe manufactured with a Sugar Maple manage.

Pros
  • Very strong
Cons
  • Brittle
  • Shatters easily
  • Does not absorb impact well

5. Yellow Birch

What&#8217s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

Yellow Birch is a common axe deal with wooden sort in Europe, exclusively Scandinavia. The explanation for Yellow Birch’s popularity is that it is about as sturdy as Hickory and Ash, but it is not inclined to shattering like Sugar Maple. As a outcome, Yellow Birch is typically favored above Sugar Maple.

Much more so, Yellow Birch is popular due to the fact it absorbs shock well. In truth, Yellow Birch is one of the more shock-absorbent woods, despite the fact that Hickory is nonetheless more absorbent.

The primary draw back of Yellow Birch, even so, is that it can be a lot more costly than Hickory, Oak, or Sugar Maple, especially for individuals who live in North The united states. The cause for this is that Yellow Birch is not as easily obtainable in the US.

Pros
  • Very durable
  • Not prone to shattering
  • Absorbs shock easily
  • Minimizes user fatigue
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not readily available in the US

6. Cherry

What’s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?
Image Credit: Pixabay

Some folks have chosen to make their axe handles out of Cherry. Depending on in which you reside, Cherry can be readily available, producing it far more affordable than other choices. Additionally, Cherry is a extremely eye-catching wood, which will let your take care of to look extremely upscale and refined.

With that getting stated, Cherry is a softwood. This indicates that it is much more versatile and softer than the other woods on this record. As a end result, Cherry handles are much more vulnerable to breaking and will not previous as long as other wooden types.

Pros
  • Attractive
Cons
  • Highly flexible
  • Very soft
  • Not durable

7. Walnut

What’s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?
Image Credit: Pixabay

Walnut will give your manage a gorgeous finish and a good path. Even so, Walnut is extremely brittle. As a consequence, Walnut axe handles are more vulnerable to breaking and will not previous as prolonged as other wooden varieties.

Pros
  • Attractive
  • Provides good direction
Cons
  • Very brittle
  • Not as durable as other woods

8. Mahogany

What’s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?
Image Credit: Maniz Ong, Wiki Commons

One more wooden type to take into account is Mahogany. Mahogany is highly appealing, which will allow your axe deal with to seem much more desirable and refined than other wood sorts. The attractiveness of Mahogany makes it a lot more costly, even though.

Much more so, Mahogany is a lot more brittle than Ash or Hickory. As a consequence, it will splinter, shatter, and crack significantly less difficult than other wooden varieties. Additionally, Mahogany does not soak up shock well. This simple fact will improve user fatigue and make it even a lot more vulnerable to cracking and snapping owing to the shock influence.

Pros
  • Attractive
Cons
  • Brittle
  • Does not absorb shock well
  • Prone to snapping

9. Carpinus Betulus

What’s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?
Image Credit: beentree, Wiki Commons

Finally, the last wooden type on our list is Carpinus Betulus. Carpinus Betulus is a well-known wood type for generating axe handles, specially in Europe. In truth, most historical axe handles were made from this wood type. Right now, however, Carpinus Betulus is considerably less common simply because it is less durable and strong than other wooden types.

Pros
  • Traditional look
Cons
  • Not as durable as other woods
  • Not readily available in the States
  • Expensive

User Manual

We hope that our breakdown of the 9 most popular wooden types can make deciding on a wooden sort for your axe manage simpler and less demanding. If you are still doubtful which wood to select, don’t fret. Here is a person manual to assist you even more.

In this consumer handbook, we go over aspects to consider when deciding on wood for your axe handle. These factors will let you to greater figure out what wood you want based mostly on your requirements and preferences. Additionally, this manual gives instructions for generating and keeping your axe take care of soon after you have picked the wooden type.

What’s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?
Image Credit: Pixabay

Factors To Consider When Selecting Wood For An Axe Handle

Strength

The most important element to contemplate when choosing a wood sort for your axe handle is toughness. The strength will guarantee that the manage is resilient and lasts a extended time. The strongest wood sorts (in buy) are:

  1. Hickory
  2. Sugar Maple
  3. Oak
  4. Mahogany
  5. Yellow Birch
  6. Ash
  7. Walnut
  8. Cherry
  9. Carpinius Betelus

Shock Absorbency

One more aspect to think about is shock absorbency. Shock absorbency signifies that the wood is flexible enough to resist influence, which helps prevent it from splintering or shattering. In addition, shock absorbency minimizes user fatigue.

What&#8217s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

How To Make An Axe Handle

1. Select a Wood Type

The first action to making an axe manage is selecting the wood type. We suggest choosing Hickory or Oak for your axe manage, but you can opt for a different sort of wooden if you would desire. Seek advice from our list of the top 9 wood sorts for much more ideas.

2. Choose a Freshly Cut Bolt of Wood

The 2nd stage is selecting a freshly cut bolt of wooden. You want to make certain that the bolt has adequate wood so that you can whittle away the extra to greater carve your handle. We recommend heading to a firewood cutter for a lot more possibilities.

Make sure that the bolt is inexperienced, straight-grained, with out knots, and about ten to 16 inches in diameter. If you seem for bolts of this type, it will be less difficult to condition into an axe take care of.

3. Split the Bolt

Following, you need to break up the bolt. Relying on the dimensions of the bolt and the sought after dimensions of the axe manage, split the primary bolt into quarters, sixths, or eighths. Every split piece is named a billet. Preferably, each billet must have four to five inches of bark.

As you individual the billets, consider to hold the exact same annual progress ring at the heart of the place your manage will be reduce. The cause for this is that it will offer the handle with more energy and shock absorption.

4. Hew the Billets

Now that you have your billets, it is time to rating and hew them. A lot more exclusively, rating and hew the triangle on the within of the billet and get rid of the bark. Hew the area so it is sleek. On the sleek area, trace an outline of the condition of your sought after deal with.

At this position, the billet need to be about 1½ inches thick, outsized at the base, and about 4 inches broad. The duration of the take care of may differ based on your tastes. Listed here are common lengths for diverse axe kinds:

  • Shaping axes: 19 to 22 inches
  • Camp axes: 20 to 26 inches
  • Chopping and splitting axes: 28 to 31 inches

5. Score and Hew Handle Into Rough Shape

Begin to rating and hew the handle into its rough shape employing the define drawn on the surface area. You may possibly need to have to redraw the define as you minimize absent.

Make confident that the spot of the take care of that matches into the axe head is stored oversized. Additionally, shape the shaft into an oblong profile with a 1:2 ratio, thickness to width. This will avoid the take care of from turning in your hands while using it. Typically, axe handles are ¾ inch thick and about 1½ inch wide.

6. Dry the Handle

At this level, the deal with is almost completed. Ahead of it is completed although, you need to dry it out for a handful of weeks. Seal each finishes to keep them from drying faster than the rest of the wood and chipping. You can do this by mixing equal amounts of white glue and sizzling h2o and smearing the paste on the conclude grains. Then, hold up the manage and permit it dry.

As soon as the manage is dried out completely, end by sanding the handle into a smooth complete and managing it with coats of boiled linseed oil, thinned with turpentine.

7.  Attach to Axe Head

The final stage is attaching the manage to the axe head. Make positive that it has a tight fit so that way the head doesn’t appear undone and injure someone. You can get a restricted in shape by placing an additional wedge amongst the head and deal with.

How to Maintain Your Axe Handle

Now that you have made an axe handle, it is essential to sustain it effectively. Unlike rubber or other artificial components, wooden requires a small bit more servicing. Even though the upkeep can be a bit aggravating at instances, it will be worth it in the finish since your axe will be usable and far more attractive. Here are the very best techniques to sustain your picket axe manage:

1. Using Drying Oils

The best way to protect your wooden manage is to deal with the wood with drying oils this kind of as hemp, walnut, or linseed oil. Drying oils are various from non-drying oils like coconut, almond, and olive oil. The cause for this is that drying oils harden, a process acknowledged as polymerization. This hardening shields and preserves the wood. Non-drying oils do not do this and will not shield the wooden.

The very best drying oil for preserving your handle is linseed oil. It is inexpensive and dries rapidly, creating it hassle-free as well. Many people discussion whether or not you should use boiled or uncooked linseed oil. Total, even though, most men and women pick boiled linseed oil.

2. How to Treat the Wood

Wood will take in oil greater when it is warm. For this purpose, it is ideal to handle the manage with oil on a heat sunny day in the summertime or a vibrant sunny day in the wintertime.

You will utilize the oil by wrapping the manage in a paper towel and pouring a little sum of oil on to the towel. Rub the paper towel more than the length of the handle and wrap it like a mummy. Make confident that the prime and bottom of the handle are nicely oiled. Leave it wrapped in immediate sunlight. After some time, flip the handle more than on its other side.

When it is finished, wipe down the handle with a distinct paper towel or clear cloth to get rid of any extra.

3. Remove Any Ground-up Dirt Or Surface Materials

Since axes are utilized in the woods, they frequently are exposed to dust and other surface resources. As a outcome, floor-up grime or other objects can cling to the area of your axe manage. It is essential to remove these objects in buy to preserve your take care of.

There are two ways that you can eliminate floor-up dust or other surface supplies from the manage. You can either thoroughly clean the manage with a moist fabric and dry it. This will be appropriate for components that are not greatly caked onto your deal with. Or, you can use fantastic-grit sandpaper to get rid of dried surface supplies.

What&#8217s the Best Wood for an Axe Handle?

Conclusion

Following examining the most well-known wooden varieties for axe handles, we advocate selecting Hickory. The purpose for this is that Hickory is inexpensive, hugely resilient, and absorbs shock nicely. These factors will enable you to use your Hickory axe handle for a extended time without having emotion fatigued or the handle breaking.

If you are not sold on Hickory, then we suggest Oak. Like Hickory, Oak is very durable, shock-absorbent, and cost-effective.

We hope that this write-up has served to make the wood selection method for your axe handle less difficult and far more tension-cost-free.


Highlighted Picture: Pixabay

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