Fitting A New Axe Handle - How I Do It

A short and simple example of how I typically re-fit axe heads from broken handles. Grain orientation on this handle was the best I could find on the shelf, that being said this is just a cheap replacement handle. Let me know if you want to see another overstrike test!
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Music: Bathed in Fine Dust by Andy G. Cohen
Released under a Creative Commons Attribution International License
andyg.co/hen
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Music: Land Legs
by Andy G. Cohen
Released under a Creative Commons Attribution International License
andyg.co/hen/
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[@TheDigitalslayer]

I learned a few things from this, even though I was not doing it wrong, sometimes, there’s a better way. Never stop learning.🤓

[@dirtyshame2444]

My dad told me that his dad (my grandpa) would use broken glass to scrape the handle to a perfect fit. He was a logger in east Texas over 100 years ago.

[@abraham8252]

Thank you

[@aussievaliant4949]

I was surprised how gently hitting the base of the handle worked- after shaping the handle to fit, it went in to the head and was a firm fit. Or so I thought until I inverted it and hit the base. The handle came out another five eighths. I made a hardwood wedge, put a piece of wood across the top and tapped it in, cut off the excess and it was done. It worked perfectly, so thanks mate. Good advice indeed!

[@beertek22]

No nonsense approach 👍 .. the way I like it. Very good 👏

[@vin17flores72]

Awesome presentation. Well done.

[@afellowamericanafellowamer5317]

So many KZbin talk it up with too much explanation. This was straight forward. I have a few handles hammer and axe heads. I'll look at the other videos and when the time is right I'll give it a try.

[@MrGonzales1982]

Good video . Terrible taste in beer.

[@michaellavery4899]

Oh that's clever. I was thinking about putting the axe head over a tree sapling, then sanding the tree down when I felt it was tight enough.🤪

[@general_paine5914]

Nice to know I've been doing it wrong all these years. Thanks man. Now I know how to do it properly. Lol!!!

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

Haha, I wouldn't call your way wrong per say - more than one way to skin a cat. This is the method I've fallen into though, only thing I'm lacking is some wood glue on the wooden wedge before it goes in. Thanks man!

[@general_paine5914]

Well... I don't know, some of the things you do certainly would help. Like, I never thought of chopping off the excess wood sticking out the top. That would help especially on hammers. If you miss your target and happen to hit that part sticking out, it tends to mess with the wedge and sometimes cause splits INSIDE the handle. Then suddenly you have this shockwave running through your handle zapping the crap out of you. I'm sure you've had a handle split and shatter right where you're holding it before right? Painful event. Especially when it only splits enough to grab some skin and pinch. Lol!!

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

Sometimes life is easier with a full tang axe. But good to learn this too.

[@godsdozer]

I'm headed to the hardware store tomorrow to buy an Axe. Just because of this video.

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

no words necessary - awesome - SUBBED

[@AliveNotDeadmund]

Nice video! Did you drill a hole in the bottom of the handle to prevent cracking when you hit it?

[@suzieq8379]

my grandfather in the very early 1900s made ax handles and things, also make the louisville slugger

[@marioorellana9900]

Que es lo que tiene el mango en la punta

[@JamesLDurham]

Were those the wedges that came with the handle?

[@pamtnman1515]

a little bit of shim in the front of the handle, where that gap is, before the wedge is seated, would not hurt. Thanks for the video

[@yvanhoule2604]

Followed it to a T and it worked! Thanks. Music ?

[@meadowmade]

I LOVE the background music. What is it called and who's it by????

[@33rdGemini]

Looks like you split your wedge. Piece of wood across the top would spread the force out so it won't split.

[@jimdiperna8703]

Can you recommend a decent replacement handle (wood) looking for something 26-28" single bit

[@zacharyclark6956]

Hickory

[@cablebill8892]

Great video! What are those little triangle pieces you put in at the end called?

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

Wedges, or "Step" Wedges

[@Mixwell1983]

What is the benefit of hitting the bottom of the handle vs tapping the axe head on? Does it seat better? Just replaced a handle and i hit the handle on the ground and also tapped the head onto it then put in the metal wedge. Edit: I just answered my question by holding axe upside down and whacking the base with a deadblow hammer while holding it. Seated almost another 1/2" further down. Now i need to trim the proud portion of handle around my metal wedge and drive the wedge farther down. Thing is tighter than a snakes asshole now.

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

Lol yup, nailed it. It's the best way to seat the head proper :)

[@swayback7375]

Big 👍 mixwell! You nailed it, it’s a wild thing how well it works

[@dozerboy67]

Am I correct in assuming that the larger end of the eye is on top, so that when you put the wedge in it spreads it wide open and thereby holds the head on from coming off? I have a craftsman head that I’m going to be putting a handle on soon, the only problem is that it’s not so obvious which end is the topside, can anyone help me with this? Thanks for a very informative video!

[@simonandfaerk]

correct

[@dozerboy67]

@@simonandfaerk thank you sir for the response, it should be a great help! 💪💪🙌🙌🤟🤙

[@StephenBeale]

are those parts at 5:55 just to make it fit extra tight?

[@marcushall4999]

That’s what some of the competition axmen did in Australia

[@sweyn8054]

Do you happen to make handles for ppl or just a for fun thing?

[@FilthyPancakes]

I'm curious why you chose a step wedge rather than the barrel wedges that came with it?

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

The step wedge just seems to be a better design. I don't think you get much more holding power with the barrel wedges, I've tried both and the end result is the same. Barrel wedges are significantly harder to drive in though.

[@FilthyPancakes]

@@lumberjackoutdoors933that makes sense. I appreciate your response

[@KettleCube]

And no glue or anything is required?

[@blake102989]

Those round wedges are better than the steps you put back in that

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

I like the steps better, if one round isn't enough (on this axe) it's really hard to get a second wedge in. The stepped wedges just fit it better, she's due for a new handle now anyways :D

[@VGLV888]

☑️☑️

[@elmo1639]

Not bad! Since you know so much about axes maybe you can help me. I'm in a spot. I have a maul handle and an axe head. Getting a new handle is apparently not in the stars. Is there any way you know that I can make the two work togather?

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

Shave the maul handle down until it fits the eye of the axe head and then wedge it. Won't be as good, but might do for a bit... Other than that you could always carve your own handle to fit!

[@elmo1639]

@@lumberjackoutdoors933 ok, I understand. A safety aspect was was still hangin on me, asking someone skilled re~assures me it can be done with a quality wedge or two. Thank you, Sir 👍 And If it comes out real pretty I'll send a picture.😉

[@kryl8tr]

The song 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🤞🏿🌄

[@abzyberdy]

Wrong color electric tape. With blue one that handle would still run fine! 😀

[@jameskolehmainen9758]

I'm surprised you didn't just put it in your furnace at low heat to get the wood out

[@duncanthebikenut]

Great choice of music. I usually silence vids like this

[@Shearwater6]

I don’t own an axe.... 😳

[@patmiddleton3947]

Don’t let it bother you,you probably don’t need one.

[@averyvance4275]

You didn’t take the varnish off

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

That is correct haha. This axe had already been re-hafted since - I use the crap outta' a lot of my tools. Thanks for the comment man!

[@colton72395]

I always burn the old handle off

[@patmiddleton3947]

Really?Did you never consider that the axe would get hot and lose it’s temper,a blacksmithing term that refers to the hardness of steel.

[@colton72395]

No Ik that I work at a welding shop but I’ve never noticed it being a issue I’ve never had one shatter on me but it could I suppose never had it be a problem thou if one was worried about it you could re temper it I suppose

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

And sometimes it really is that easy to fit a new haft.

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

I skipped a bit of the prep work with the rasp, but it was minimal. I got lucky the factory made handle fit the random old head I was using!

[@manderson147]

The wood shouldn’t be flush with the eye. The pins should be perpendicular with the force on axes and at an angle with mauls and hammers. But most concerning is the face of the head isn’t perpendicular with the handle when you mounted it. Why post if it’s wrong?

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

Just to get you all riled up.

[@jakebreese9900]

BUSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@dogpaw775]

put some wax on your saw blade, trial fit the axe head, shave handle until you have minimal wood curls. don't be using a metal hammer on wood, use a mallet or hide lump hammer or at least synthetic _bleh !_ headed mallet. good to check handle heel is chamfered, makes it less likely to splinter. All credit to Billy Ray.

[@torxi7336]

If you put too long wood in it you going to split the wood inside the axe head

[@diegogonzalez7875]

A little splitting in the axe eye won't hurt especially if you put your wedges in properly

[@zachh3541]

The music is too loud and I can't hear you talking.

[@dustincartie3502]

Well ya I guess that works, if you’re going for bare minimal effort. ie: it’ll do the trick, but looks like ass

[@lumberjackoutdoors933]

Your mom doesn't hug you enough does she?

[@lancenethken5299]

That heads not going anywhere

[@silverdragontaylir8252]

Put in bucket of water for 72 hours

[@darrinsibert282]

You definitely have no idea what you're doing

[@thelumberjack333]

You're definitely just another asshole. 🤣

[@benjamins7229]

Sloppy as hell

[@JC-hv6gq]

Cool but not useful