From tree to handles: hand tool only felling, bucking, riving and carving traditional axe handles

[@TheKajunkat]

I remember reading an old article in american heritage invention and technology magazine (best magazine ever printed by the way) that was about axes and how "axmen" used light whippy handles on the axes and you could tell the difference of someone who knew what they were doing by the sound the axe made when it hit the wood. In stead of the "knock"sound it would make a "snick" sound as it sliced its way into the wood. Good to see you re discovering what the people knew when they had to make their living with them. They also said the light handles were for the experts because one wrong hit and you were making a new handle. The hardware store handles were are so used to are a modern invention used when people started to use axes to cut roots in the ground and other abnormal uses. This is also the main reason they used softer steel and put such thick blunt edges on them. They basically turned them into grubbing tools instead of felling tools. It was what the market demanded. Great article

[@groundcontrolgainesville4841]

excellent comment

[@midjetville]

A lot of this magazine has been digitized by volunteers. You can find the article @TheKajunkat is talking about here: www.inventionandtech.com/content/oldest-cutting-edge-1

[@TheKajunkat]

@@midjetville oh boy, I didn't know they were doing that. Thanks! Looks like someone is gonna be geeking out over the coming weeks!

[@GlueTubber]

@@midjetville thanks for the link!

[@atomicsmith]

Thanks for mentioning that article. Reading in amazement now. Wonderful insights...

[@Aminuts2009]

"New Mr. Chickadee video" ~ drops everything to watch.

[@man-qz8ki]

A nice slim axe handle gives me the fizz

[@tim_bbq1008]

I see a few debatable practices in this handle construction, but that doesn't reduce my admiration for the efforts and skills you share. Love the videos, best wishes and keep up the great work! New Mr. Chickadee videos get watched first before all the other regulars!

[@not2tees]

These videos seem like entertainment for my soul. They really take me down to the soul territory.

[@notjamesiha]

Guys, turn on the captions on Mr. Chickadees newer videos and you'll have all your questions answered. Except for his cats' names.

[@scorpio6587]

Thank you for the reminder!

[@thomream1888]

You, sir, need your own Patreon account! That was the BEST suggestion ever. And now I can go back and watch all these videos again (as if I needed an excuse!). Thank you.

[@schlaubiderzweite2144]

You, Sir, made my day! Thank you.

[@indianahunter63]

How do you turn on his captions?

[@JeffGloverArts]

Thank you!

[@MrJkwatson23]

We all living in 2022 while this man out there living in 1822. What a legend.

[@slougo5909]

First off, Thank You for your service young Man. Your a Pleasure to watch work. Down right Amazing and Fascinating Fella! How God intended man to be.

[@williamwinter2638]

As always, your commitment to self and a way of life show beautifully in everything you make.

[@worklion50]

...Normally you don't see axe handle as ...art.I am a musician, write my songs... This was as beautiful as any song. Respects!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

My mind was just blown away! Just turned on the captions😂. One suggestion would be to not cut a shelf into the handle for the lugs you sit on. A gradual slope would wedge the head on tighter. Beautiful work.

[@Mark-xl8gg]

Woke up and came down to sit with the dogs who are all ways good companions on a restless night And as luck would have it you posted Thank you

[@meisbepat]

Interesting. I was always taught you want the grain to run parallel to the axe head.

[@leehunter1967]

Ruckus you were taught correctly. 🙏

[@onebackzach]

That's what I always assumed too. I guess when you're dealing with that level of quality in terms of wood, you can get away with a bit more. I still think parallel grain is probably stronger, it's probably just less whippy

[@mrMacGoover]

Sorry, said the same thing in my statement/ question and saw yours after. just because it done this way... It doesn't necessarily mean it's the right way.

[@joyetgermain]

Yes, would like to know why? Maybe easier to process...

[@augustcook5537]

The idea here is that the grain being the full length if the handle makes it harder to break. I think if it as if i were slicing meat - across the grain, the pieces are more tender, and fall apart. With the grain, the pieces tend to be more tough, and harder to chew. Just one way of looking at it.

[@scottcates]

This is a man who is devoted to his craft. If he were to go blind, he could follow the the wood grain by feel alone.

[@dj_yosip]

It was very helpful and interesting to get that you actually need a thin handle even for the big axes like this.

[@MrTurps2]

First, lovely sounds of nothing but the doing.

[@hermannstraub3743]

This is how it is done! Flat laying grain like a leaf spring, splittet wood, protruding handle. Wood could be hickory or ash. Well done!

[@piledriver141]

Hermann Straub my guess is hickory😜. It’s in the description under the video.

[@SkillCult]

Sweet, I have tree envy ;). I'm going to have to go back to trying soft wood wedges again. I suck at gauging wedge thickness. My go to, based on theory and experience, is to make the handle thin and flexible all the way up to (into?) the eye. but I think an argument could be made for how you put this together that the close fit with a ledge might act as a sort of stop to prevent breakage from side impacts. Like if you imagine the heavy forward inertia of the head moving sideways, it would be stopped by the lip before it could snap off the thin eye portion of the handle. Just a thought. I think the triangle ear also helps.

[@PeaceoftheWild]

So happy to see this video, finally! Is this the grain orientation you go for? This way makes sense to me. I'm going to get on to your channel next mr skill cult. I have always thought the grain should be parralel with the face for strength but here mr chickadee goes perpendicular. Which makes sense when wedging to stop the risk of splitting and even when shaving the grain is more even on both sides.

[@davidschmidthuber3916]

BEAUTIFUL! TY for sharing your passion and skill!

[@donaldtrabeaux1305]

Man you brought me back to my childhood always watch my grandpa make handles for shovels ,hammers,axes, all kinds of stuff. I have to say you are truly amazing and awesome craftsmanship

[@toddsherfey6236]

You sure are fun to watch, I enjoy your work and thank you for your service. God speed

[@rclaymore9902]

Again, an American treasure at work. We are honored that you share your skills and inspiration with us.

[@davidgray8191]

BRAVO!!! MARINE, YOUR SKILLS ARE OFF THE HOOK! ALL GODS BLESSINGS!

[@MadStacks007]

I just saw your video with Chop with Chris. Seeing how you work, the precision to detail, and outstanding craftsmanship (I say you create art) makes sense....you were in the Corp. I love watching you work, I am truly a fan. Semper Fi Sir.

[@teddy130]

I'm so excited to see you again

[@eblake021]

I love it! I just home-boyed a few handles from green hickory in the last couple of months, What a joy it is working with green hickory, from the felling to the drawknife and the rest! I just learned a whole lot watching this superb video. Thanks

[@shortfuse43]

I agree with the green hickory! I have a few pieces of seasoned, dry hickory that are about 3" x 3" in cross-section that have been in the shop for about 2-3 years. Been meaning to make some hammer handles, but never got around to it (one of those "toit" jobs"). Now, I am NOT looking forward to draw knife shaving that hard, hard wood!!!

[@randolphlearning5255]

Very satisfying. Thanks mr.chikadee.

[@kallenmccracken6218]

This helps so much with my fits. My hafting is always a little off, I'm trying to get my latest one perfect with as much KZbin research as possible. Thank you!

[@fryreartechnology7611]

Another relaxing and enjoyable video thank you for passing the knowledge along.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Awesome job on the ax handle Josh. It was great the way you were patient and persistent to do the job right the first time. Fit the ax head first THEN shape the handle. Mighty fine work !! 👍👍 Thanks so much for sharing with us.

[@heckyes]

She's a beaut! Thanks for sharing the process!

[@tkjazzer]

Beautiful. Everything. Amazing. Sure to hit 1 million views with this one. Turn closed captions on for great explanations

[@charleslawler7567]

I really like this guy He’s got a lot of talent great videos easy to watch man one number one

[@ingmarhornke3009]

Once again great arts and skills, Thanx a LOT from good old Europe.

[@zahnledl]

Amazing axe control. The axe handle, a work of art!

[@garydungelman6530]

You are certainly blessed with those skills my friend

[@davidbumpus3457]

That axe looks like it would be as much of a joy to use as it was to make.

[@johnmarkconnolly6414]

Love the workmanship.

[@jerrystark3587]

This is a great combination of excellent materials and design. Straight-grained Hickory is amazing. Also, I really like that Collins axe head. Nicely done!

[@georgegordonbrown9522]

This is such a perfect presentation of skills and knowledge. Especially the part where you first take care of fittin and fastening the head and then carve the actual handle body. That´s the guarantee that you always get your handle in lin with the cutting edge of the tool. Thank you Mr. Chickadee.

[@OldNew45]

Excellent as usual. I always forget to turn the captions on, but that gives me a reason to watch it again. I always re-profile my axes as well. Except for the 5.5 pounder I use to split with. I have since gotten a fiskars maul and rehandled it with wood. You're lucky to have good hickory nearby.

[@No.1R3dneck]

Amazingly beautiful! You do great work my friend! Love watching your channel!

[@robertbrunston5406]

Awesome job Mr. C ! Thank you for sharing.

[@RobCardIV]

thankyou brother ! always relaxing to watch and learn a little about how things used to, perhaps should be.

[@calumblair]

Great film, good to have the subtitles back too , I enjoy reading your thoughts , it’s like reading a book and watching a documentary at the same time , like so many others I find your work very relaxing and therapeutic

[@ryoonit]

Love this method. Perfect grain orientation without picking through boards. A hatchet would make quick work of the bulk of wood removal from the stave. Or the draw knife would cut through it like butter when the wood is still wet. I love working with hickory. Thanks for sharing!

[@MrChickadee]

I find the shavings from the knife more useful for kindling than the axe chips...

[@feathershed]

Riving. The best fun you can have with a log. It seems so primitive and you learn a lot about timber from different trees.

[@tomnekuda3818]

Really nice wood.....I wish I could get wood like this. Just nothing in this area. Great video as usual. Riven wood gives more with each cut of the axe.....when I was a young hotshot baseball player, my favorite bats were Adirondack Whip Action bats.....they were made the same way that you have crafted this axe handle. The difference between that bat and Louisville Sluggers had to felt.....lot less shock to the hands.

[@10us101]

love the music of wood and tools nice work

[@maxdecphoenix]

always enjoy asMR. Chickadee

[@erichall9304]

Of all the trees I have cut none have taken me back as far a Hickory when I count the rings which I do to somehow show respect. I climbed a Hickory when I was 12 years old, that was 57 years ago and it looks almost today like it did then. They are slow growing.

[@NeedItMakeIt]

Always excellent work and unmatched work ethic by Mr. Chickadee, love the channel and the type of work you do!

[@articleivsectioniv5797]

Always look forward to your videos. Thank you for all of the wonderful content over the last few years. It has been a joy to watch and learn.

[@ryandavis7593]

A real jewel. Great work and video as always. You bring the sound of old school woodworking to the masses. When are you going to make some wheels for a new wheelbarrow and work cart? It’s just up my alley that’s all.

[@bigunone]

When I was in boyscouts all those years ago the scout masters were sitting around their fire and we were out in the woods listening. One of them was talking about being in Korea and was sharpening his knife with a round whetstone his dad had sent him. A Turkish officer walking by saw it and immediately had to have it with some back and forth they finally agreed on trading one bottle of good whiskey for the stone. He said he wrote his dad told him to send him a gross of the stones.

[@go2yadramah415]

Brother I have watched you for a long while and I will tell you I first said this guy I really think is a fellow Marine his bearing, boots I mean who wears combat boots your either just some surplus supply junky or a Marine.....lol Oohrah I was with 3/7 Lima Company bro.... When Chris interviewed you I was like dude you just bolted my journey when you said your learning this all from knowing nothing I just bolted emotionally bro as I and my wife who are both Marine Vets are so doing it old school with non electric skills from weaving to foraging wild edibles, to wood craft to forging soon. Love what your doing bro Semper Fi my brother!

[@veshtitsacraftsandtunes4693]

without a doubt the most beautiful handle video i've ever seen. the quiet, the color of the wood, the splitting. and how thin and elegant you made the handle. great job. question - would ash work for a handle this thin?

[@MrChickadee]

thank you, if ash is all you have, maybe? Id use something stronger or more elastic if at all possible.

[@Doxymeister]

Well done, sir. Note: the chickadees next door are already preparing to nest, singing like crazy. Every time I hear them now, I think of your video intro! Thank you sir.

[@davepelfrey3958]

Absolutely love your channel. Always look forward to that notification bell and I see it's yours. I'm amazed at your craftsmanship and attention to detail.

[@JustIsold]

Man I wish I could do this... Maybe thats silly but it just seems magical to me!

[@clarencerswann1360]

I really enjoyed watching this, as an axe enthusiast, user, and restorer. I'd be interested to see how it hold up with the good runout even though the orientation is almost perpendicular to the cutting edge. I've also never carved out an area for the lugs on a Jersey pattern, just kind of shape it to wedge in with the rest of steel without too much peeling of the grain. I'm not questioning your choices or criticizing, am only intrigued is all. Excellent axemanship on that face notch before the fell, you can tell you've been doing it for a long time.

[@MrChickadee]

According to my research, and the research of Roy Underhill who I learned this from, this was the traditional way to orient grain for axes. It has many benefits not least of which is flexibility. It was after handles were sawn and sold at stores the orientations also changed due to poor wood, and grain runnout from sawn handles. This is how a bow is made if you think about it, and will be less likely to curve to the side as many do. Ive made handles this way and used them extensively for hewing, felling and clearing land. Ive never broken one, ever.

[@PATCsawyer]

Nice work, you have a good eye for picking a handle tree. Inletted lugs tend to encourage splitting at the inlet point, especially on straight grained handles. Because your grain is horizontal, that would be less likely but I would still be wary of that "shelf".

[@MrChickadee]

I understand your concern, we will see so far its fine.

[@karsonbranham3900]

Words do not begin to describe!!

[@scorpio6587]

Beautiful. I like the handle shape.

[@JF-fx2qv]

When using an axe to fell a tree, there is a pattern to follow that can make it a lot easier. When bucking the tree I noticed you're cutting at a unsupported section ... did you pitch the saw? Looks like that piece of timber has a poison ivy vein on it! How tough was it to remove that winter bark? Was this process completed while the wood was still green? Were you concern with grain orientation? The joy of taking tree to axe /axe handle is priceless pleasure.

[@MrChickadee]

try the CCs

[@JF-fx2qv]

@@MrChickadee Ha, ha, ha!

[@joshuamacha2150]

Helllo Mr. Chickadee! My family and I live in a treehouse among the Redwood trees that we built together. Your xhannel has inspired me to deepen my relationship to the woods around me and do so using hand tools. :) Have you ever done video of your workshop and the tools you keep there? Would love to see it! Thank you

[@chinaski2020]

I enjoy your blacksmithing but this is the stuff.

[@theatomizer3684]

Thanks for the subtitles, very helpful 👍

[@somatder]

very interesting that you orient the grain opposite to what is adviced today. When I think about it, it makes a lot of sense: With a wood like hickory tough, hard and not prone to splitting, orienting the grain sideways makes a lot of sense to me. Plus hickory can be a bit to the stiff side especially if not thinned down so orienting the grain this way is very reasonable to reduce shock. Now, I am in Denmark, and we unfortunately do not have hickory around, but other I belive the best options are ah or elm. I doubt that orienting the grain sideways in ash would be beneficial as it can be very prone to splitting along the grain if the grain is somehow damaged from an overstrike. Perhaps elm could benefit from this grain orientation? Anyways, very cool and informative video as always so much to be learned and ideas to be grasped. Thanks a lot!

[@jamieemes4292]

Yes I was wondering about grain orientation also. As it appears to be opposite of what we've been taught?

[@MrChickadee]

@@jamieemes4292 I personally have always made them this way and have seen historic evidence of it being done in many areas this way in the past. I feel there is no "wrong" way but I do prefer this for several reasons and it has worked well for us. I do think that grain runnout is more important than orientation though.

[@MrChickadee]

Id love to see an elm handle made this way!

[@MattKeevil]

@@MrChickadee I made one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXqzoGOVj62oeKs

[@seanmcardle]

thanks for the return of the captions

[@adamduerr1203]

My daughters (2 and 5 yrs old) say that looks nice.

[@martyclack8782]

Green hickrey best handles my dad and gdad would make them on a pull horse with a draw knife. Nice work

[@steveoppermann7596]

Thanks for another inspiring video! I've been splitting rails off and on for a year or so for a fence project I have in mind. It would be great to see you do some of that, sometime.

[@MrChickadee]

ironic you mention that....;)

[@gerardjohnson2106]

We called the wooden wedges a "glut". Choice was dogwood. Holly was also good.

[@augustcook5537]

Dogwood rootmass makes a great beetle, as well as a good mallet. Takes a beating and keeps on lickin

[@DerekBlais]

I’ve made my own handles, and “gluts” before. However, I’ve always chosen harder woods for the “gluts” than the actual handles. I don’t have any particular reason other than my assumption a dense hardwood would be better for this. I usually use maple and cherry. They are the hardest of what’s around me.

[@pamtnman1515]

Derek Blais sugar maple is very hard, cherry is very soft.

[@borisnistor5717]

Quality handicrafts. Well done, man.

[@terrulian]

Did you forge the wedges? Also, what's the goop you put on the ends of freshly cut wood?

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

I have a collins 3 1/2. Found it in a trash can at a job sight. Asked the owner of the trash can if I could have it and he said that it belonged to his grandfather but the handle has rotted away so it’s no good anymore. Well it’s mine now and it’s the best ax I’ve ever had.

[@fred-san]

Mr. Chickadee !!!!.... sankyü.

[@bruceaplin]

Skilled Hands. Thanks

[@samueldougoud3289]

Yet another great video by Mr. Chickadee... I didn't quite catch whether you seasoned the wood after it has been riven or not ?

[@stevegreer9052]

So grateful for you always uploading these videos. Just wanted to let you know how much they inspire me. Recently been getting in to getting some axes for hewing logs. Was curious if you could share what stone you use it looks like a hockey puck for your axes to sharpen them. Thanks

[@MrChickadee]

Its a axe puck, I get mine here www.baryonyxknife.com/

[@stevegreer9052]

@@MrChickadee thanks so much for your reply! I will be getting one of these, do you use them dry or with oil? sorry for the questions

[@MrChickadee]

@@stevegreer9052 water

[@正宗-s1v]

beautiful job👍

[@garrysekelli6776]

I`m wondering if Mr. Chickadee were to mine some Iron and copper and then smelt some ingots and make some wire coils and forge some rotors and stators and construct some electrical drills or saws if these would be considered power tools or hand tools? Just a hypothetical question.

[@BloodSprite-tan]

you don't make rotors and stators with plain iron, if you want a tool that works well you need silicon steel. and then also a rolling mill, to get the thin sheet metal required for laminating your rotor and stator you also require specialized thin varnish coatings. in theory it would be possible, but considering he would have to create some sort of power generation system, i don't see this coming along until a lot later. and smelting copper isn't exactly easy either. on the topic of whether they are hand tools or power tools, yes. they are both hand held and power tools. there are two groups hand tools those which are un powered and those which are power tools. this channel is determined to use only human powered tools, not relying on electricity for anything except camera and some lights.* (*not verified) whether you make a power tool by hand or not, doesn't change the fact it's a power tool, i think that topic would be more suited for HTME (how to make everything)

[@schlomoshekelstein908]

you mind explaining your thought process? i've read this comment probably 5 times over and every time I read it I come to the conclusion you're either: making a joke I don't get or you're flat out smooth-brained

[@dejavu666wampas9]

It’s a joking compliment to the incredible skills of Mr C. As in, “He can make anything out of nothing.”

[@makeituseit6011]

Excellent, thanks for sharing

[@georgexabo8764]

Hi cousin, my Grandfather and Uncle were"Axemen" on both sides of my family. My Uncle and my Dad followed my Grandfather tbru the woods sawibg down trees my Grandfather had put a notch in with an axe. My father could cut a tree and bullseye a target beforehand and the most difficult trees were left to him to solve. Please remember a logger provided the toilet paper you used today.

[@anthonywall5227]

Thank you

[@Specialized61]

Great work!

[@groundcontrolgainesville4841]

just beautiful

[@BillB23]

That chamfered, folded pentagram at the butt is, imho, a bit of class. It resembles the profile of an emerald-cut stone. Nice touch!

[@ToddAndelin]

you articulated that perfectly!

[@Maxid1]

2:03 This walk through the woods brought to you by Target. 2:11 Take THAT Target!

[@JakeRaytheRounder]

i would be curious to know your method of sharpening saws. I've been teaching myself

[@MrChickadee]

need to do a video on that...

[@michaelroselius9848]

Beautiful to watch!

[@philedgerton7892]

I've made several axe and sledge hammer handles with riven hickory and I don' think I could break one even if I tried to on purpose. I'm going to start making them thinner like you suggest and see how that does. Thanks for the video.

[@MrChickadee]

yep, old timers often had handles thin and lithe as a whip!

[@howesfull8]

Nice video, thanks. What band is that on the grinding wheel? Perhaps a larger (rougher) grit?

[@-Honeybee]

Man did you cut that kerf LOW. I usually only cut mine to about halfway down the eye. Was there any thought that made you want to go all the way down like that?

[@curtisvonepp4335]

In some ways I'm saddened to see those Hickory trees fall but that means progress and plant new ones 👍🙋

[@MrChickadee]

Id rather have trees I can eat in that space, mockernut hickory is not good food

[@curtisvonepp4335]

@@MrChickadee That's good thinking there's tuff times ahead be prepared . Apple, Apercot, Cheery, pear, so many different varieties . Then you got Deer in the Orchard and you got Meat 👍😁🎯

[@tomlorenzen4062]

@@MrChickadee we call them Butternut Hickory...interesting

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@antoinealluin-fernandez2897]

Hie Mr Chickadee ! You have very beautiful hand tools. Where did you buy them ? Thx for your videos, good job ! Bye

[@cam72cam]

What are your thoughts on bringing the freshly split wood to the rough shape (easier to work green with the knife) and finishing once dry?

[@onebackzach]

I'd be a bit scared to get too close to the final shape, it'll probably warp and I'd be worried that it might crack and and all your effort will be wasted

[@MrChickadee]

You can of course, but know any step down in shaping creating end grain is likely to crack, so wax any areas like that, and also leaving them full size can be more versatile as you might need a mattock handle or other sized handle rather than axe

[@tyremanguitars]

is that an ebony spokeshave? looks amazing and I love seeing the process.

[@MrChickadee]

yep, pretty cheap from china, mujingfang makes them