How to Finish an Axe Handle | The Axe is Back

Want to give your axe handle some proper TLC? Here's how to do it! You'll need some sandpaper and boiled linseed oil. After this video you axe will feel way better in your hand, and the handle will serve you a long time.
Husqvarna carpenter's axe:www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004...
Boiled linseed oil: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001...
Want to sharpen your axe? Here's a link! • How to Sharpen an Axe
Like this axe in particular? Check out our review: • Husqvarna Carpenter's ...

[@lawrencelewis1036]

The thing I liked about this video the most was at the end you said PRAISE GOD !

[@zall1321]

That is a great knife. I love mine.

[@Community-Action]

To give it tone you can hold the handle over some hot ambers or a blow torch and then add the linseed finish. Gives it some nice dark lines for a unique finish

[@prsmflower977]

The color looks so nice! Can't wait to see what mine will look like :D

[@tobydelahoussaye8630]

I really appreciate the review, sharpening and the refinishing videos for this axe., I just purchased this same axe and love it. With your suggestions I believe I'll enjoy it even more. Brand new subscriber and I'm really enjoying your channel especially the praise to our Lord at the end of each video! Keep up the good work!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Looks good, thanks for sharing. Take care.

[@MrFishd05]

I like the 120 grit myself. great vid.

[@shayrollins3530]

Awesome video! Thank you so much!!! Praise God.

[@davidcrane5984]

I was always told to coat the handle with the linseed oil once a day for a week, once a week for a month, and once a year for the life of the handle. I do this for ALL wooden tool handles.

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

Sounds like a good routine

[@AntiPattern123]

This applies more for normal linseed oil. The boiled oil hardens up faster and will not soak in to deep.

[@StormGod29]

Same goes for tung oil. A coat a day for a week, a coat a week for a month, a coat a month for a year, a coat a year for life.

[@grahammcfadyenhill9555]

I include a period of once a month for a year in this suggestion.

[@alexgrishkin7562]

Thanks for the video. I have the same axe but its handle had been already finished with some stuff when I bought it. The color is pretty the same as with yours. Maybe a little bit darker.

[@wompratadvocate7245]

This is awesome. I ordered a viking axe and humoured painting the handle. Is there a good way to do it with out harming the wood? Would I paint and then use the linseed? Thanks in advance

[@surjerrylee]

I love how thorough you are in your videos! I think I may end up getting the Carpenter Axe based on your videos and suggestions from other KZbinrs. One thing I wanted to achieve was a dark walnut coating on my axe. Can I apply a coating on linseed oil then apply a stain+poly coating on top it?

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

You can actually go straight for an oil stain (like Danish Oil), but I would advise against using a poly coating. It makes the axe handle very slippery, especially when wet. -Vlad

[@kevinpoynter6697]

Would you ever suggest using the oil around the eye of the axe where the head is mounted?

[@thomas-son9281]

I’ve sanded my handle pretty good and applied the oil but it’s still a pretty light color. I was wondering if the wood itself has some part in it or if I’m doing something wrong.

[@renbirk4021]

I like it

[@guckertott]

150 grit is optimal. At least according to old world, European axe makers. Any finer and it will clog the grain limiting how deep the finish will permeate. Need to let the grain breath.

[@charleseden5246]

I wonder if the new Stihl axes hold an edge as well as the Husqvarna... Because they both seem to be about the same price... Which beside maybe a council is hard to find a decent axe that for the price

[@harrymatthewsmusic]

I have an older hatchet and the handle is in "meh" shape and I'm considering this but this is the video i would use

[@GetMeTo1kSubs]

DONT SAND THE HANDLE. ESPACIALY NOT ON AN OLDER AXE. Scrape it with a sharp knife. Sanding gives it a cheap, slipery feel. And I would not use BOILED linseed oil. But raw linseed oil or olive oil as a cheeper option. Boiled has toxic drying compounds and acts like a light varnish. Raw oils or food safe, non-toxic and does not harden. Raw is better for the user and the axe. Raw oils can also be aplied to the steel to prevent corosian and rust.

[@AJ-gk7bn]

I just bought a husqvarna multi purpose forest axe. Do their axes come with that annoying varnish from the factory? Would appreciate if anyone could let me know, thanks!

[@rayjames1493]

I really like your cap/hat. Where did you get it? Thanks

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

+Ray James it's the REI Sahara cadet hat

[@NickPelletier]

Thank You for this video. Headed out into the woods soon and I purchased one of these. I had one question. Why did you used boiled linseed oil? Could you have used something else? or does it have a specific effect you are looking for on the wood?

[@frankboehm591]

It's the best finish for handles

[@grahammcfadyenhill9555]

I use regular linseed oil.

[@jimmylarge1148]

What happens and why don’t people use an oil based stain?

[@survivalofthefittest409]

Thats a really nice finish. Ive heard of old engine oil being used. Is that good?

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

I wouldn’t recommend using old oil. It’s full of nasty chemicals you don’t want on your hands for very long.

[@survivalofthefittest409]

Good to know. I saw a video a long while back of someone using it on an axe handle (maybe it was new engine oil) and its driving me nuts trying to find it and see if I'm just hearin stuff lol. Thanks though!

[@grahammcfadyenhill9555]

@@survivalofthefittest409 There is a horror show of chemicals in used engine oil. Recycle it and use linseed oil instead.

[@RunTriko]

Always fold sand paper at least three times. Then it will not slides.

[@rnilazarev2553]

🤝👍👍👍 молодец

[@kerime.7861]

total noob here, used the sandpaper on my handle. can I use any vegetal oil ? (would extra virgin olive oil ruin it :/ )

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

no, it will not ruin it. It might be slick for a while though...I'm not sure how olive oil dries, or how the wood will handle it, pun intended. If its too slick, you can always wipe it off.

[@ColeShortridge]

I applied one too many coats of boiled linseed oil, and now the handle is completely sticky. Any suggestions to get it off?

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

Shave it off with a piece of glass

[@ColeShortridge]

@@ReviewOutdoorGear It was really stuck on there... I ended up using mineral spirits to remove the linseed oil (as recommended on the back of the linseed bottle). Then I was able to sand it down and start over. Took a little bit of work but I got it feeling nice again!

[@grahammcfadyenhill9555]

Strip it down, repeat the process with regular linseed oil. No sticky build-up.

[@Fun_Dealer]

My handle didn't change colour and get darker. Did I do something wrong?

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

No. You’re okay. It doesn’t always change color right away.

[@Fun_Dealer]

@@ReviewOutdoorGear awesome, thank you!

[@FrenchViking466]

Indeed Praise God.

[@AuRebel]

Is Boiled Linseed Oil better than Tung oil? Thanks.

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

From what I understand, they are both very similar. If you have Tung, I'd just use it.

[@AuRebel]

I have the same axe as you do and love it. I've heard that tung oil is better because it actually water proofs the handle whereas Boiled Linseed oil don't...Just what I read anyway. So I didn't know which to choose lol. Thanks so much for your help.

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

If Tung oil waterproofs it, I'd go for it!

[@charleseden5246]

they will both treat the handle equally well... Tung oil takes a little bit longer to dry in and with tung oil if you don't wipe off the excess that doesn't dry in quick enough I tend to get stickier alot easier..... if what you have is tung oil use it... But if you haven't bought any yet I would get the boiled linseed oil I just prefer it more because over a period of a few weeks so I can slowly continue to apply the boiled linseed oil to really get a untreated handle truly seasoned... I found with the tung oil if you try to do that it starts to almost give up polyurethane feel to the handle again

[@AuRebel]

Went with the Boiled Linseed Oil, thanks for your help.

[@passwordistaco507]

Got the same brand linseed oil, got some gloves, got some gransfors bruk axes....and I'm afraid I'm gonna ruin them. Its literally as simple as the video? Do you take dry paper towel and wipe any off? Ugh.

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

Fear not. Just go for it.

[@passwordistaco507]

@@ReviewOutdoorGear I went for it. I think I did alright. The place I got my axes picked out darker wood for me, my preference, so they look phenomenal already. The oil really shined them up!

[@GetMeTo1kSubs]

@@passwordistaco507 i apply raw linseed oil to my gransfors axe (olive oil works as well and is way cheeper). Boiled works too, but it has harmfull and toxic drying compounds. Raw oils are food safe and non toxic. They do not dry as fast and give it a better feel. And do not sand it, scrape it with a knife if it gets dirty. Hope this helps, have fun: )

[@romeliapolly5242]

You should go to Woodprix if you'd like to make it yourself guys.

[@renbirk4021]

What is the axe called

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

Marbles Camp Axe

[@karstenthompson4743]

is it..?

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

The axe in the video is - the Husqvarna Carpenters Axe

[@karstenthompson4743]

lol

[@ReviewOutdoorGear]

Shadow Surfur not sure how I made that mistake.

[@anthonyclark9159]

I'm glad he skipped 600, imo anything over 220 is too smooth for a work axe. 400 is the absolute limit.

[@arctichare8185]

That handledoes not look as if it was made from very good piece of wood.

[@paulie4x1]

Say Heah Eugene, Praise Be To Jesus Christ, , Now and Forever. ,, .Slava Iszusu Xrestu, , Slave na Veeki. ,, .Thanx Eugene. ,, .

[@stateniland]

ALOT of these axes have gotten bad reviews... the blade SNAPS/BREAKS under normal use.. if under their short warranty they will replace but if not its garbage.