How to make an Axe handle

[@B61Mod12]

Do you ever stop and realise how fortunate you are to live among such a green, picturesque landscape?

[@lennyf1957]

You have a fantastic shop with an incredible view. What more could a woodworker ask for.

[@NWBushman]

Ben, your talent never ceases to amaze me. You, my friend are truly talented. Very well done! Thank you for sharing!

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Great video! Very nice shop with a fantastic view. I keep expecting a flock of sheep to amble by.

[@markjones7135]

Having done my share of wooden boatbuilding, YOU are a fine woodworker! I'd also say that your abilities as an instructor are admirable. Thanks for this good video.

[@mrbluenun]

Hello Ben, Thanks for the upload. Nice to hear someone who really knows what he is talking about. Take care. mrbluenun

[@tropifiori]

Thanks for a nice video. I have mucked up a few handles in the past and now you have shown me the proper way to do it. Frank Virginia

[@MrViktorlundin]

That is quite the shop you've got there, Ben! Thanks for sharing!

[@Organikmechanic]

Really well explained how to. Great use of an axe to rough out the shape. Thanks. Cheers from France, Andy.

[@MrKelso159]

I came across a carpenters hatchet, axe and a small 4lb. sledgehammer that were my great grandfathers made sometime in the 1800's. Had to replace the handles and they turned out great. Wish I had a crook knife like you had to shape the handles. It sure would have made it a little easier, but I got it done. Great video and thanks for making it.

[@2011gast]

It's a decent and useful video, thanks a lot, sir! Those old wooden appliances for fixing the material are really nice, too.

[@Ljotulfson]

Excellent video Ben - a pleasure to watch.

[@RemyBlom]

Thanx for this video! I recently restored an old axe head I bought on a flea-market and your video was a big help during the process... I watched it every time I was ready for the 'next phase'.... I still need to finish it with lineseedoil (I have some trouble to find the right kind) and giving it a superb grind (I only gave it a rough grind at the moment, but it chops really well already). Thanx!

[@charles910]

Beautiful studio. The scenery outside looks amazing.

[@deanznz]

Very well presented, thanks Ben. I too would like to see how you made the joints of that Stump Table that looks to have taken a lot of heavy use.

[@johnchivington6587]

Good video. I think stressing taking your time is great. I have taught shop to adults and people were always wanting to make things to fast.

[@wallstreetcrash1]

Yep.....! You bossed that one. Tidy work, well done. Regards KCB 🇬🇧 And thanks for posting vid.

[@Bushcraftapprentice]

Hi Ben, This is my first visit to your channel and I subscribed right away! Great content, well presented. Love the shop and your teaching style. You have a new Apprentice! hehe TBA

[@LiamMitts]

Thanks for the video,I like watching you do these short projects using hand tools.If you have time could you do more videos with the tools you make and sell.Ta

[@damiendeline4632]

Very nice and thourough tutorial. Definitely a subscriber.

[@jjohnston94]

Beautiful place you've got there, inside and out.

[@mauricekuyper22]

Great video mate keep up the good work! Greetz from the Netherlands

[@DeepSouthSlingsDarrellAllen]

Very good tutorial Ben, thanks for your knowledge and time to post it

[@flaviafreire14]

Amazing video and a kick ass working shop indeed

[@beerhunter272]

Great video. The audio is very quiet, however. I love your shop and your shave vice. I've never seen one before. Could you do a short video of how it is made? Thanks.

[@davidleasure1022]

great video of how to make a handle and install the head, good craftsmanship

[@montgomerysavage6500]

Excellent instructions Ben, thanks.

[@grantoyamaha]

Mad skills Ben , love your work .

[@geraldwest3428]

Excellent job, and thanks for taking your time too make this great video.

[@gig777]

Excellent video. You have a kick ass shop with a great view to boot!

[@melvinlewiswellsjr.2619]

great video thanks....what if all you have is freshly cut wet oak wood? doesnt it need to be cured or dried first?

[@BenOrford]

Well you can make the handle first when it’s green but make sure you leave the head end over size. It can then be dried before shaping to fit. Hope that helps👍

[@TheLastRealPatriot]

Great video and nice woodshop too.

[@japanesegermanviking6720]

Hello Ben, greetings from Argentina. first of all, thank you for this video, it has been very helpfull! I was wondering if one could put the finishing oil before placing the axe on the handle. Im working on a proyect of recicling an old axe handle, which means i might ask more questions later on. Thank you and Good Day!

[@BushcraftOnTracks]

You make that look so easy! Outstanding job!

[@MuzzleDoc086]

Very Good,,informative and will be putting your advice to use ,, making a handle for an old hewing axe ,,next week....Thank You

[@WildMedGuru1]

Excellent work! Very neat kit to consider too.

[@parman01]

Hello, is there particular reason for chopping the main shape with axe? It seems it would be much easier to just cut it with bandsaw. Or would the saw somehow weaken the wood by not respecting fibers direction? Anyway this is very informative video. I recently broke a handle on my old axe and will need to make a new one. I'm sure this tutorial will come in handy.

[@knoxi82]

Good video Ben, one little thing though, maybe it's just my computer, but is the sound quality really low? could barely hear you. Stephen

[@radioactivewraith]

Your videos are excellent.

[@beowulf1712]

So you mention that this would be a good skill to know in case you break your handle in the field. Since I would most like only have one axe and the handle would be broken, I'd like to see how to make this with only filed carried tools and the axe being broken. Also, you show a pre-cut piece of hickory. I'd like to know what to do in the field. How to pick a piece of wood. Finding dried wood or waiting for it to dry is not always an option.

[@rottiejakeluke]

In your green woodwork in #2 you use one style shave horse while you used an other style in this video. Why and when do you use one over the other? What was the “hand draw knife (type) tool called? Thanks

[@90MATTIAS90]

How does these axes stand on the wall? Can you show those axe wall-holders nearer

[@kaibilbalam7151]

Thank u for great video amigo!!! Do u think white maple would be good wood to make a handle for mi hatchet? , thank u again🙏🏾

[@waynepatrickdenman]

Great Video Ben!

[@ralfbear]

Hi, Ben. I was wondering where you purchased the Wetterlings kit. Another very informative video, thanks!

[@jwrappuhn71]

Say you had to make the handle in the woods, how do you go about drying it out, so it desn't shrink and the head come flying off?

[@bedenshire]

Absolutely love your vids, Ben, but your recording audio levels are very very low, and I cant hear your excellent advice!

[@nathanwoodworth5345]

Awesome video! A canoe paddle next?

[@arminkamenjasevic7210]

hello.I want to ask which of this woods are batter for hanldes,maple,ash,beech or oak.Thank you.

[@charronfamilyconnect]

Thanks for the video! That is pretty cool, and I will be trying to replicate your success. Tell me something; how wide is the wedge slot/groove, and did you cut your wedge from the same type of wood or just any old regular softwood? Thanks!

[@rexxarwatch9057]

Superb work!

[@katewinters4649]

Hi Ben, Can you recommend some spokeshaves? What do you use? Cheers

[@TrueNorrax]

Goog Job! Hope that this handle will bee good in use. Thank you!

[@blixtkrig]

nice work,and i love the axes on the wall behonde u i have a few on my wall aswell

[@hoold01]

All I needed to know, liked and subbed, thanks.

[@redchevy1957]

For a 2.5lbs head. How,long should the handle be. I have two to do.

[@Breakbarrelhunter]

What kind of wood is best for the job?

[@onelessrat4022]

awesome video... never done one before but i think i might just have a crack at it now!

[@vladimirlopez7840]

Excellent tutorial!

[@h3Xh3Xh3X]

Great video! Just what I needed to restore this old ax I found. :)

[@TheMichael0219]

What is the bench you are using to hold the handle in place while shaving it down?

[@Mainerbychoice]

Great video really liked it.

[@RaindanceBushcraft]

Hi Ben. Is this kit still available? I haven't found it anywhere here in Canada, and Wetterlings' website isn't so great when it comes to up-to-date info.

[@lancerooke]

Very nice video. Thanks for posting!

[@gbshreds]

Just wondering... how long is your draw blade?

[@0G_G8_BUSTERofHEADS]

What is that bench/vise/holder thing called

[@baggins919]

Liked the video but you should have used the band saw cos i haven't been in any woods where they have vices, Japaneze saws, lump hammers ,steel rulers for a long time. Nice work though.

[@IZ009600ZI]

like your work like your stove!

[@johndoe-pq5ox]

Excellent video

[@abhinavaggarwal4062]

Hi.. great tutorial.. would you recommend using cedar wood for the handle ?

[@claytons3594]

Abhinav Aggarwal I would say that cedar would not make a great handle. Too soft

[@abhinavaggarwal4062]

ok thanks.

[@jimmytate7587]

even oak is not a good choice for a handle. maple works well but it is hard to shape. Hickory is the best as far as I know

[@stephencresswell4760]

Ben, I'm after a 36" fawn's foot handle for an old Elwell 5lb felling axe with a 3 1/2" eye. Not happy with the few that are available. Any ideas?

[@patrickbrett66]

What would you do if you didn't have a pattern or existing axe handle to draw round?

[@jaryH3]

+Patrick Brett I would use the internets

[@patrickbrett66]

Ah so your suggesting I draw round the internet then :P

[@masgrimes]

Hey Ben! Any recommendations on the folding saw?

[@muddog1561]

Good video, and how to, but really bad audio. I could hardly hear you. Maybe the problem was on my end I don't know. But I really enjoyed watching you make the handle. I learned something.

[@Kiltedwoodsmith]

The kit is not on their website

[@someoneelse318]

Find it usefull indeed, thank you for the effort, subscribed.

[@SuperBalaur]

Find/cut a branch from a tree that is a little bit bigger in diameter than the handle you want to build and using your knife shape it into a straight handle.People have used straight handles on their tools for millions of years and some still do...With your newly fixed axe you can carve a better/fancier handle like you can see on this video:QVXvw6to2xA .Hope that helps!The most important thing is to actually start doing/carving something.

[@PaulKirtley]

Great video Ben :)

[@theomen49]

You use the axe head for stock removal since it is still better at it than a knife is.

[@2312kiro]

Great vid. Nice work.

[@karcsula]

thank you very much for the lesson, was very useful.

[@trajtemberg]

Using the head of the axe and your knife. Also, most woodsman use a straight handle, just for the sake of easier repairs.

[@pecopecof8074]

18:11 in this moment it’s better to hit it 180 degrees rotated ( at the end of the handle and the wedge to be on the block).

[@SimonAagaard]

Tanks for a great video. very informative

[@josephanglim7024]

I can not hear you without using external speakers. Crank up the volume. Better to have more than needed than not enough.

[@johngate4715]

wow it would be great if i could hear it

[@gbshreds]

that being said, very good video! i enjoyed it greatly

[@VergeCentenaire]

Because you're wearing a multicam pant, i'll give you a thumb up :)

[@Asgard422]

Thank you! Very interesting video!

[@josephKEOarthur]

Where do you get that LAVA stain?

[@hasdrubal121]

nice job, and instruction,thanks

[@JeanBenoitFOURNIER]

very useful. thanks mate

[@-Honeybee]

"Obviously if you're out in the woods and you need to restore your axe handle you won't have a bandsaw, so we'll show you how to do it with an axe." What. *What.* THEY HAVE NO AXE. THEY CANNOT USE A TOOL THEY DO NOT HAVE.

[@-Honeybee]

XD that's hilarious

[@emorymyparentsnevergavemea5882]

+Sitric Brave Well, you could use the head. It would take a bit of work without the handle, but it is possible. But I do get what you're saying.

[@ScottHaneyHello]

+Sitric Brave Since the handle blank is for a boy's axe size (or same would apply for a felling axe size), I'm guessing he means using your hatchet to shape the handle for the larger axe considering you would never really use a larger size axe for carving/roughing out anyway. In the woods, without a dried blank, you could make a temporary handle from green wood -- which could be shaped using a knife since it'll be softer.

[@jimmytate7587]

you can stick a rough temporary handle into the ax head...but I've never known an experienced woodsman to break a handle...

[@BenOrford]

Obviously this has caused a little confusion, this was to show you the skills in a workshop so you understand the process. Then if you are out in he woods and have to fix a broken tool you can. Effectively you can use the axe head without a handle to fashion a new handle it will just take longer. You could make a new axe handle with what you have to hand and be resourceful. 👍

[@seancrowley7520]

great instruction. thanks

[@dean4545]

I'll try to make it! :) Very usefull!

[@kagegeorgejakubiec5600]

Wicked great help man

[@ABC-ns6ce]

Thank you

[@annalog88]

Awesome!! More of this kind of videos please :D

[@Think_Outdoors]

Very nice!

[@knoxi82]

thanks Ben, hope i didn't sound ignorant!