How To Care For Your Axe - 3 Easy Steps

If you care for your axe, it will give you many years of service, and be in good condition when you need to rely on it. An axe of traditional design - often favoured by bushcrafters, woodcraft and camping enthusiasts - has several components made of materials which require some maintenance, typically metal, wood and leather. In this video I explain some ways I employ to look after the axe head, look after the axe mask, and look after the axe handle, and the materials and products I use to do so.
LINKS MENTIONED:
Axe Sharpening video - • Axe Sharpening For Bus...
FREE PDF Guide on How To Refinish An Axe Handle - paulkirtley.co.uk/refinishing...
OTHER RELATED MATERIAL:
Optimising an Axe and Saw Combo for Wilderness Travel - • Optimising an Axe and ...
How To Spot A Dangerous Axe - paulkirtley.co.uk/2019/how-to...
MY BOOK on Wilderness Axe Skills and Campcraft:
wildernessaxeskills.com/

[@WR3ND]

I melt beeswax with mineral oil enough to form a somewhat firm paste when cool. For the sake of appeal and perhaps antimicrobial properties, I also mix in a bit of lemongrass and cedar essential oils. Either way, it works very well for wood, leather, cloth, and metal. I highly recommend it. Cheers.

[@philleath-dawson2113]

Started reading the book and very impressed, as an apprentice engineer many years ago you learned the advantages of keeping your tools clean and looking after them.👍👍

[@uniktbrukernavn]

I use raw linseed oil; read somewhere that it penetrates deeper into the wood, but as you said it takes a while to dry. I do it once a year and let the axe dry on a sheet of aluminum foil and then wipe it several times. I can't switch to boiled linseed oil at this point as I bought a rather large can of raw linseed oil...my kids are gonna inherit it :) Thanks for making these videos.

[@esaubordin4024]

Hi Paul, im Esaú from Brazil, doing some bushcraft here and really glad youre back! I always learn a lot from your videos!

[@bushlore21]

Thanks for an excellent video Paul! Very informative!! Keep em coming ~All the best, Amante

[@williamthewoodsman4101]

Thanks so much for this Paul, so much great information.

[@unitytira4954]

Thank you so much Paul for this video I learned a lot.

[@theom7476]

Great video paul, look after your tools and they look after you. Also you're spoiling us with so many videos! Much appreciated!

[@uuguul]

Always a pleasure to hear you Paul! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks for listening Steve :-)

[@t.davidgordon2425]

Always great information; you remind my good practices, and give me some new ones. Thanks so much.

[@mjallenuk]

Excellent video as always!

[@sheltermonkey6065]

Hi Paul. I live in a corrosive environment, and based on my experience, lanolin-based corrosion inhibitors are dramatically more effective at preventing corrosion than regular oils. I recommend the brand Fluid Film because it is cheap. Fluid Film is lanolin in a petroleum base. I purchased a gallon of it for around $30, and that amount will last me several lifetimes. I've been wanting to test the effectiveness of anhydrous 100% lanolin since it is food safe, but I haven't gotten around to it.

[@brunorojas3992]

I apreciate the info. Thank you

[@sammyslavvu1981]

Great video as always Paul.

[@omadon7331]

Fine video Paul. Your instruction on how to refinish handle, and how to take care of the axe are also great. Personally, if I won't be using certain axe during the winter, I often put a film of machine grease on the head, for better preservation over those months. I rarely use my axe for food preparation, so even if some residue is left after wiping it in the spring, no harm can be done. I aim to buy your book soon. Postage price is a bit of a thing (almost as a book itself 😀) but most probably well worth it. Glad you started to post videos after a long(er) pause. Cheers!

[@justindawson3428]

Great video Paul.

[@srtgrayfrance]

Great information as always, thanks Paul

[@PaulKirtley]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@bkershaccount]

Thank you very much. You are a great teacher. Simple and detailed. I much appreciate how you were detailed on the materials to use. Most say clean and oil the head but I never could figure out specifics. You listed the oil types I could use and showed steel wool or paper towel/rag. These seem minor details, but not to someone who has no problem using the tool but zero knowledge in these methods to maintain it.

[@PhilEvansOnline]

Clear and concise as always. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@PaulKirtley]

My pleasure! Thanks Phil.

[@begbie672]

Great video paul !!!!👍

[@rshoemaker61]

Thanks Paul good to see another kit care video. Cheers!

[@PaulKirtley]

No problem Randy 👍 Cheers!

[@duncanbrown7160]

Another great video!

[@johnellis3930]

Can't believe someone could leave an axe in such a state. Will certainly look to do a refinish to my handle. Keep up the you tube mate I've missed your episodes. 👍

[@BHorodnik]

Thanks, Paul!

[@erikolsen6269]

Sad to hear that Gransfors were nasty to you and that your friend left the axe outsiee. But great video, thanks. Cheers!

[@WayPointSurvival]

Good video, and thanks for all the knowledge and the wisdom that you share with the world and especially with the Bushcraft community!

[@markyboy1077]

Ok

[@ronaldvandenbelt8383]

Thnx for sharing the info. Hopefully your book will be in Dutch bookstore anytime this year. If not I'll order an English one anyway.

[@bushcraftkelso2013]

Love it Paul, Keep up the good work. Hey I'm asking for a friend.. when can we expect the next podcast episode ? Stay safe braw

[@insight7483]

Thanks

[@Buckydhu]

For some years now I have made walking sticks etc and have found a mix of 2 parts Linseed oil and 1 part walnut oil (from food shops) gives a slightly more resilient finish.

[@patrickmsong]

Can’t believe Gransfors was rude to you! Esp cause you seem like a very chill guy. I’m gonna go for a Council Tools axe now

[@LucasRichardStephens]

I liked equally the grey axe in the thumbnail, I am sure the performance of both axes is similar, though an untreated axe is easier to grip than an oiled axe handle. I have axes that are certainly 70 years old or more, they are not treated and work very well. All these ideas about maintaining your axe are more or less cosmetic. Having said all this, pampered tools look very nice, and that is for many the most important thing. Caring about your tools is important. Most important of all for their longevity is however, how you use them and store them. A bit of red or orange paint can help prevent mislaying your axe when the light starts to fail and you have overdone it and are exhausted, I would recommend a bit of cadmium orange in that cooked linseed oil to make a nice bright paint. I am not a keyboard warrior, I have youtube films and use an axe at work quite a lot. Since engagement is good for your stats I hope you can live with my somewhat contrary comment, all the best Lucas.

[@stephenzevetchin]

The pdf Paul refers to was usable as a primer for 🪓 handling with my kids.

[@stephenbutler3929]

Useful video thanks, Paul. AIUI the guys at the Bushcraft Store near Enfield don't stock Gransfors Bruks either because they found them difficult to deal with too.

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks Stephen. I'm glad you like the video. The guys at the Bushcraft Store are good guys.

[@charliewilson4670]

Hi Paul where would I get a middle size axe from a good one also I bought a copy of your book 2 or 3 weeks ago I find it excellent very worth while buying and lots of good and important information in it cheers ☺👍

[@mikeinthewoods2193]

I usually use a vegatible oil. Works a charm. Been thinking of using bees wax for the leather mask. Nice and Short video.🤟

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks for watching Mike. Glad you liked the format and thanks for sharing what you do too. Cheers.

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

Use snoseal

[@auroraborealisknives4019]

Paul AKA the Axe Man

[@PaulKirtley]

I'll take that as a compliment... :-)

[@max_fjellstorm]

Just bought the new book :-)

[@PaulKirtley]

Thanks! Enjoy! :-)

[@MrMisaKulicka]

Really enjoying the new book, and these videos, thank you Paul. Shame about GB being rude, heard of this a couple of times and is a real shame, very disappointing.

[@Nofixedabode859]

Heard few times about gransfors bad attitude also the bushcraft store stopped trading with them for same reasons and went to wetterlings then they ceased trading not long after, I think the hultafors classic once tweaked is a very good axe

[@ThomasMartzak]

Same 3 thing I do.... I actually found a spray on rust / oil products for the Axe heads.... Something industrial... Buy sure work great... And as an owner of several Hults and Wetterlings and I only have Gränsfors left in my collection.... They fit me and the outdoor life just a bit better than the other 2

[@PaulKirtley]

That's a good tip too. Thanks Thomas.

[@TheGreasyCamper]

Do the linseed oil come pre boiled? Or do you have to boil it?

[@Steve_G88]

What about ballistol on the leather mask?

[@MarkFidell]

8:38 - I hope you don't give that particular friend any more presents.

[@scubasteve9449]

Can you use the linseed oil on the head of the axe as a protectant also or does it not work well? By the way I’m happy your posting again you have great tips

[@PaulKirtley]

Yes you can! That will work Steve. Thanks for your other comments too. I'm glad you appreciate my videos. All the best, Paul

[@PhilEvansOnline]

I generally give the whole axe a light coating of linseed oil whilst out in the field. The linseed oil tends to be sticky on the axe head bit after a bit of use this soon disappears. Using a cotton wool ball to apply the oil creates an excellent fire starter.

[@jondeth6242]

The gospel of the blade.

[@aaronrhoades6847]

I discovered a refined boiled linseed oil for painting oil paints it works on the head and the handle and on your leather dries very quickly and waterproof check it out

[@PaulKirtley]

Good to know. Thanks for the tip. I'm guessing this is available from art materials suppliers? Best, Paul

[@aaronrhoades6847]

@@PaulKirtley art supplies and sometimes hardware stores in Texas I don't know about across the pond

[@tonya3519]

Hi Paul, got your book sat on my coffee table, quite a fan of yours and I’m from the same part of the world originally as you. Very disappointed however to see that the book was printed in China!? What’s that all about?

[@PaulKirtley]

Hi Tony, it's good to hear from you. Thanks for buying the book and I appreciate your support. I don't know a lot about the book industry but the publisher of Wilderness Axe Skills and Campcraft is an American company, Schiffer Publishing. While there are many books printed in the USA, I have read the second biggest printer is China. I imagine Schiffer's decsion to print this book in China rather than the USA was down to cost vs quality. Same reason many things are made in China, I guess. It's interesting that many people think that book authors are consulted or have control over this stuff. We don't. Sorry to read you were disappointed over their decision. I hope you agree they did a good job with the material though. All the best, Paul

[@keithspence1630]

Ouch I would cry if I find an axe like that uncared for.