How to make that axe head fit tight

the shoulder on an axe handle is important to understand, i raise a point here that is not talked about that much, if ever,,hanging axes is rewarding work

[@famasmaster2000]

Ahhhh...out back havin a coffee and making an ash handle for a little axe I found yesterday at a garage sale. Does life get better ?? Yep, a notification from Billy popped up.....now Im really in the zone ! Love Yas all out there ,and a big fat Welcome to all you new followers...have fun and be kind to one another would ya !!! 👍👍♥️♥️

[@cynthiaherr9029]

Feeling the love friend..Take Care,enjoy your day..

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

YER A WILDMAN

[@sawsurgeon]

famasmaster2000 Justa Liv'n the Dream, Eh? Sounds like the makings of a pretty nice day for sure! Hey Buddy, Be Blessed!

[@famasmaster2000]

Saw Surgeon Hi surgeon....be blessed as well brother !! You are such an awesome force to this channel and I love it....keep living the dream daily 👍👍 Peace my friend ✊

[@sawsurgeon]

famasmaster2000 Thanks Buddy, The ‘Ol ‘Takes one to Know one’ deal here. Let’s just say that you fit in quite well here! Are you able to make BuckinStock? It’d sure be great to make your acquaintance. Blessings, Eh?

[@grumpyoldman7948]

I've just started going through my dad's old tools. Some of the tools may have belonged to his dad and grandfather. So, anyway, I'm a woman in my 60s and I have some knowledge about woodworking, carpentry etc. In the last few days, I have put new handles on a single bit axe, a double bit axe and a bush axe. I'm not thrilled with all of my work, but for a beginner I would give it a B+. I have noticed this shoulder issue, and wondered why it was so abrupt. Now I know to taper the shoulder almost like sharpening a pencil (sort of). I should get pretty good at this by the time I repair all of these tools. Signed: Mrs. Grumpy Old Man

[@dufftime]

I'm a fancy pants woodworker that offered to make an axe handle for a buddy. I was just about to drive in the wedge and was wondering why the heck it the axe head didn't feel solid. The taper on the shoulder makes 100% sense. Being a fancy woodworker, I was going for a perfect square shoulder to match the curve of the axe head thinking that's the way to do it (it would be in a woodworking joint). Love your positive energy too! You earned a sub my friend.

[@jacklatham6793]

Hey there Buckin' Jack here! Thanks for all you do. Will try to catch you live today but am committed to watching the F1 race in Montreal this afternoon

[@sawsurgeon]

Howdy all, and I do mean ALL 25,000+ of this Army of Kindness! Sir Buckin' is a high energy man indeed. I just watched this @ 1.5 speed and I'm here to tell you... I won't need coffee for the rest of the day! Man On Fire! Blessings ALL!

[@jessel8833]

Lol, you're the freaking man! Hahaha, thanks for sharing your axemanship & love for the outdoors with all of us!!

[@mike_magnet_fishing]

Hey buckin hows it going buddy, only found your Chanel a couple months ago, and you helped me through one of the roughest times in my life so far you brought me back from the brink, so thanks buckin much love buddy

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

WELL MR BOONDOCK , I AM SINCERLY HONORED THAT YOU WOOD MENTION THIS IN THIS COMMUNITY , WE STAND PROUD HERE IN LOVE AND KINDNESS AND LIFTING PEOPLE UP SO MY FRIEND IF YOU HAVE BEEN HELPED FROM ANYTHING HERE ,,THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE WITH US ,,LOVE YA BUDDY

[@brianrummel966]

Mike Roberts glad your here friend it’s the best place to be

[@famasmaster2000]

Mike Roberts Hey Mike.....dont you ever quit brother. This is the feel good channel on the Tube and we are all here to give one another support !!! Theres lots of love to go around and I mean it....check back often to be uplifted, believe me, this is the place to be ! Take care friend 👍

[@mike_magnet_fishing]

Buckin' Billy Ray Smith thanks billy I’m glad I found this community I have been using saws for years and now that’s what I do for a living tree work and I love it peace buddy

[@mike_magnet_fishing]

Brian Rummel thanks Brian you guys are all awesome

[@mikeheizmann6804]

I really love the info on the handles and how you get things how you want it! I soak all the info in and keep it in the old noggin!! Great video again and hope everyone had a great weekend

[@barryrichardson3661]

welcome to all the new subscribers this is the best channel buckin is one cool fellow

[@christophercollins2330]

Thanks for the advice. I will put it to good use. You have a new friend especially after the story about helping out a stranger, great energy.

[@brianrummel966]

Good morning everyone. That was a very helpful video. Thank you very much Buckin.

[@bearpawtimber8739]

So nice to be able to come back to these old videos for a refresher course. Hope you're doing well Buckin.

[@spencermcginty9812]

Always a pleasure to sit through a Buckin axe class!! Love to you and the family buddy❤️ beautiful work!!

[@sawsurgeon]

Yep, pretty good session. From the looks of that big beat'n iron on the bench at the opening of this video, I was expect'n to see a demonstration of 'How to Properly Bash in the Cheeks of an Axe Head!' Hoping ALL is well for You and Yours! Hey Spencer, Be Blessed!

[@allenhuling598]

Hey Saw - I've been waitin on that particular tutorial for a while now, had to just wing-it on a Plumb hatchet that had been beat pretty hard. Used some heat, but not red hot, on an anvil with a big brass hammer. Turned out pretty well I think. ATB

[@sawsurgeon]

Allen Huling :: Good job sir. I’m sure that’s the tactic a proper blacksmith would utilize. Glad you’re here Allen, Be Blessed!

[@allenhuling598]

Thanks Saw, and happy 4th! ATB

[@GmaAlice]

Thanks Buckin! To every problem there is a solution. You have found many a solution to to different problems when it comes to axes. Shaving off some of the shoulder has not occurred to many to fix that problem. With just this one video you've educated everyone what can be done to fix it. I can't remember if the title of this video includes your addressing the problem and you showing us the solution or not. But if it did great, it will be easy for people to find when searching for how to fix this problem through You Tube videos. You tube seems to be the go to place for almost everything now and Google only shows what they want you to see. What is my point? Everyone put in their title How to fix..... And there will be more hits on their videos. More income from ads on their videos this way. Ok my two cents worth over now. Hope you have a good night!

[@stevetimm1738]

Glad to have found your Channel you share so much Thank you

[@brianrummel966]

Steve Timm really glad your here too friend. He’s very helpful.

[@jeffreyrubish347]

Steve Timm Welcome! It's the best thing in KZbin.

[@bykrmom]

Welcome Steve, I'm glad you found us here at Buckin's channel. Best place to be on KZbin.

[@j.chrisbeck7492]

Welcome to one of the very best channels on YTube, pretty sure you will enjoy being here, so pull up a stump and hang out, be yourself, and enjoy. Kindness is addictive.

[@thenorthener6855]

Welcome to the channel Steve :)

[@joswaldomendoza]

very cool Buckin' Billy, I try not to be on the tube as much as I used to but came here because I am about to replace a couple handles and wanted to hear your wisdom. Thank you and hope to see you in other platforms that are more kind to freedom.

[@sethmefford5370]

I agree with where you’re going with the shoulder. It has to be very gradual, and from my experience even more so than the transition you have on the Beaver tooth. Same with House handles also. I have to spend some time thinning the shoulder way down. I don’t think the shoulder needs to be any thicker than the width of the axe at the widest point for several reasons. Bounce being the biggest, but also the argument that too abrupt of a transition increased the chance of the handle breaking because the thicker the axe at the shoulder, the less flex it will have. Another reason being if you’re splitting and the handle sticks out wider than the head, then the handle gets chewed up a lot faster. As far as bounce, I’ve also been tapering the inside of the eye at the bottom to help it slide further down rather than dig in as much. As they come, they’re mostly a 90 degree angle with a sharp corner that digs in. When I taper it with a file or Dremel (just a little), it seems to help. Anywho, just some thoughts. I love the channel man. Thanks for all the great content.

[@justinfrost5548]

i just handled my great grampas axe for the first time, i honestly made the mistake of leaving a bit of a shoulder, it came loose going for a stuck backwards chop with the pole, left it fora week in boiled linseed oil. hammered the wedges deeper into her and sanded a bit off the proudness and got her dipped in oil suckin up the drink. worst comes to worse i redo the old girl again. love the videos man, came across your stuff after randomly seeing what youtube had for axe knowledge, thats what i came for anyways, definately staying for the wisdom.

[@Phoenix-wl5or]

Love this guy, he got me into axes and now ive just finished making one with laminated paml swells and a red wedge wirh 2 micro wedges i intended to sell it but i dont want to now

[@thenorthener6855]

Never experienced that problem, but thanks for the tip brother!! Easy to see how to fix it if I ever should run in to the same deal with handles...thanks Buckster :)

[@aceofspadeslandscapelesson8219]

Awesome advice Buckin. I must say for anyone looking to start hanging, Home Hardware often have great handles with wicked grain orientation. Like you said, you just gotta keep your eyes pealed and go through them from time to time.

[@RickFisher]

I like your enthusiasm my friend!

[@cynthiaherr9029]

A great tutorial my friend,and yes you have mentioned it,but today, you explained it..good on ya BBR..Have a great day everybody..

[@terryw.milburn6414]

Hay Cynthia Got Yer Britches Packed yet ? Gonna be a swell gathering of Friends Eh ? Be Well, Friend ! ATB Ter God Bless

[@cynthiaherr9029]

Yes I do..My room is booked I will be staying Fri-Sun. I understand you'll be there..VERY COOL..LOL

[@terryw.milburn6414]

Sorry I can't make the trip But will be there In Spirit & Can't wait to see all the video's Be Well Sis ! ATB Ter God Bless

[@henrypeterson1981]

Great “Gradual Shoulder” Explanation. Thank You Billy

[@anthonylandis]

Always love the ax info. I got a Collins ax with a narrow handle that hurts to use; so I plan on making my own new handle for it.

[@yoman2854]

Try thinning it. Absorbs shock. Most handles are too thick. Lots of info on this if you sesrch

[@thomashall3818]

Thanks for the information buckin', I am making axe handles now since watching you do it and all these little tips and tricks for great fitmanship are amazing. Hope I can justice to the wood and the axe heads, when I have got my first one done I will send you an email with some pictures

[@mikeyyoyo6464]

Ok, I'm going to tell all about my connection with axes, my father didn't have much but he had axes & saws, there was a storm here in 68 or 69 felled trees everywhere and whilst everyone else was sawing limbs for firewood my father was splitting the boughs & making 4x4 fence posts for the local farmers with nothing more than a sledgehammer, wedges, cross cut saws & axes! It put bread on the table & we survived... Simple. I love axes lol 💪❤️👍

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

I UNDERSTAND

[@mikeyyoyo6464]

I knew you would Billy 😇❤️👍

[@shawnosborne4503]

O.k lets do this. I wantoo too.. You have my attention,the realization of how important I know this is and your motives are fitting. Thank you.

[@Thetreefella]

Yup.. I'm gonna watch em all.... Thank you Buckin for all this great info. 🌳💚🌳💚

[@neilkennykenny4113]

Enjoyed this thanks Billy, bounce back to me is the handle has stopped moving before its had the chance to seat into the eye properly. respect from Ireland.

[@moisesortega5107]

Billy big fan , in my area southern Cal we don't have any large tree to cut down, mostly we are ag county(Imperial Valley) and hot desert but i love axes i refurbish old axes cause i think its cool, your right i ran into the same problem thin eye and i seated the axe on the handle and when i hit it on i cracked the handle, but ill start all over again into the transition into the shoulder,, thanks for the input

[@ivanhamlyn]

Great video buddy and I love what you represents your a good man ,

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

I appreciate this video tutorial. Getting my new handle for my new double bit high carbon steel battle axehead. And going to do the fittings myself.

[@eastcoastcreations5186]

Was just watching your museum video again when you uploaded this :)

[@jeffreyrubish347]

Alex Sprott That museum video was great. I've got to get myself to the two logging museums up my way in northern Wisconsin.

[@eastcoastcreations5186]

I'd love to visit the USA one day, also I would love to go back to BC as I visited Victoria in 2014 with my Gran on a two week holiday/Vacation, The best part was the two day trip on the Rock Mountaineer and the smell of the pure air in the forests, all you could smell was the tree resin, beautiful

[@dondupuis7798]

Great info, your a kind soul...…..cheers Double D

[@j.chrisbeck7492]

Good Morning Buckin', from Chris in Elkton, MD. pretty nice day here, hope its good up your way also. Hello, and a big welcome to ALL the subscribers and viewers here, pull up a stump, grab some coffee, and be inspired. Be Kind.

[@brianrummel966]

James Chris Beck good morning Chris glad to see someone close to me here on the channel. Have a great day friend.

[@j.chrisbeck7492]

where you at brother ?

[@brianrummel966]

James Chris Beck Hanover Pa.

[@j.chrisbeck7492]

not bad, hour and a half away i guess ?

[@brianrummel966]

James Chris Beck yes. I’ve delivered mulch to Lowe’s or Home Depot there a few years ago. Hope your going to Buckin Stock

[@jeffcmo1957]

Just started rehandleing my Dad’s old axe and Maul and my great grandfather hatchet and axe. Using Beavertooth handles. Seem to be nice so far. Go Buckin you rock.

[@kevinalexander6812]

Great Video Billy. I made my first ever handle from scratch for a small hatchet. Finished it beautifully and it felt great in the hand. But my shoulder flared out too aggressively. I started throwing it into a block and after about 7 throws it broke right there at the shoulder which was too fat.

[@highdesignfool]

Hitchhiking

[@adamrendo3194]

Love all the videos Buckin. I especially like the axe videos. You haven’t done a axe making video from start to finish in a while. Those are my favorite. Thanks again for all your hard work and content you put into this channel.

[@huckmiller1971]

Good info Billy !

[@hatchet6102]

damn this guy knows his way around an axe

[@olskoolloggin9761]

Right on!!👍👍

[@justinblanchard5856]

OL' Skool Loggin how are ya buddy hope everything is great down your end 😉👍

[@olskoolloggin9761]

Justin Blanchard all good brother! Rain making the timber grow! Have a great week my friend!!👍👍

[@justinblanchard5856]

OL' Skool Loggin you too buddy have a great one 👍

[@maurogarreffa6719]

G'day Mate, Greetings from Down Under 🦘 Your an absolute Legend Brother, lov'en ya passion & energy, awesome perfect info, just what i needed to know. So big hi5 to you my friend. just subscribed, Thanks heaps. Cheers🤜🏻🤛🏻🕶👍🏻

[@AwesomeActsOfRandom]

6:10 this right here, made my first handle this week and it turned out amazing, only thing im not happy with is it got too thick and wouldn't go down any further. was just bouncing off the mushrooming that it created. Next one I think i'll chamfer the eye and have more gradual shoulders.

[@tjlee9901]

love the live edge bench top , bucker dude .

[@allenhuling598]

Great little vid there Buckin...Thanks!

[@Slyder2828]

Great video!

[@MOAONAABE]

axe-tacular

[@garygraham4571]

Hi you totally made sense and is that a 67Ford truck picture

[@gmanlipripper]

Good tip buddy. Spreading that kindness.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

YOU GOT IT

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

u might know a thing or 2 about fitmenship thank 4 ur time friend have a great time at Buckin' stock

[@terryhatton3622]

Great video lots of info 👍

[@samward9641]

Yeah I'm making an ax handle because my town burnt down and the ax heads and sockets, plies, and wrenches all that's left... But boy im gonna make me a wicked ax handle. I always wanted to but I never really thought I needed to..😏

[@craftybynature3760]

I know exactly what your talking about Buckin. .

[@jel517]

Billy I'm starting my very FIRST re hang. Found an old Plumb double bit, Got an Amish handle in the mail the other day. I've watched a bunch of your videos. I'm looking for a start to finish video of yours that goes start to finish. The head wont fit in to the eye right off the bat

[@JoeGhost61]

its an experience, when I started to do my own handles by hand....but its very important. I like it if the head goes down by itself and takes a seat after bouncing the end of the handle without cutting into the wood.

[@jeffreyrubish347]

I can't get Beavertooth to load for a while now. Maybe your shout-outs overwhelmed their site?! I use a wood rasp on the shoulder. Did Cletus teach you to taper the shoulder, eh? Good idea, as the head always tends to move up during use but almost never down on the handle.

[@brettona123]

I'm a hafter - bigtime. Great video. I totally agree and get it. One thing I do when I'm hafting is I make sure that I don't flip the head on the the handle from front to back. I hand write a label on the head "front" and also on the head "front" so that I always put it back on the same way. I find that if I turn it backwards by accident it screws up by fit because by no means is any eye symetrical. Anyway, thats just something I thought I would share.Thanks again Buckin'. What have you been using to get that amazing patina on your heads? I did see the video where you used tea. Are you still using tea? (I tried to ask this on the June 10th live Q&A but the trolls showed up). lol Anyway, maybe some content for another video. Buckin'' thanks a ton for everything you have shared!

[@Calebthelowber]

Ninja shelf. Naughty naught ninja shelf.

[@JoeyArispe]

Thanks Billy!

[@Smokey66s]

Hoffman Blacksmithing makes the best axes and handles on the planet, bar none!

[@d.ahwooomazenkas8075]

Thanks buckin love u buddy

[@elmo1639]

Not fluckun' 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?

[@13ColoniesFishing]

Just bought my first antique axe to start my collection im debating on wether or not to restore the handle or just wall hang it in the living room as is

[@trollmcclure1884]

yea, that's true. What I'm thinking of now is that some eyes' edges can be too sharp. Then whatever nice transition you put on the shoulder it will still cut it like a knife. I'm not affraid of grabbing a file, a stone and dulling it to a rounded fine polished shape. The next thing is a lubricant. Why nobody uses a lube? That thing will go deeper. Maybe even too deep. Could it create a stress on the wood in the line of the transition when it's too tight? What do you thinkabout that?

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

A MAN DEFINETLEY CAN OVER MUSCLE AND FRACTURE WOOD FORSURE. BUT MOST DEFINETLY HAVE FILED MANY EYES FOR A BETTER SEAT , YOU BET

[@trollmcclure1884]

Thank you for the response. It's nice that you care about the feedback

[@raycharles1379]

Love it brethren

[@darylnd]

What have you done to me, Buckin'? I'm on my first axe now. It's a boys' axe, 2-lb. Collins head on a 28" red elm handle from Killinger. What do you think of using a file or Dremel to chamfer the eye as a way to smooth the transition? Best from sunny-when-we're-not-covered-in-wildfire-smoke California!

[@yotaismygame]

Selling? Old axes only sell if your name is buckin Billy ray lol. Beaver tooth is good. Ever buy from House Handle? I get my handles from them. Good info Buckin!

[@bykrmom]

I hope Beaver-Tooth is watching your videos. He needs to make the transitions more gradual, especially for those of us with limited tools. I need to get a draw knife or a good spokeshave to reshape it. I feel like you made this video just for me, because there's a solution and I didn't know if it was ok to carve into the shoulder or not.

[@roboslug7582]

I always press my handles on using a short section of steel I-beam and a 10,000 lb bottle jack. I built a frame for it a while back and I can handle an axe in about 30 seconds with a MUCH tighter fit than I can get any other way. I always fill in the kerf with a piece of oil-soaked veneer before I press the handle. I think I'll start tapering the shoulder though. That might get the fit even better.

[@yoman2854]

I have a vague memory that gransfors bruks press their heads on? I think you would have to do it by hand to frost develop the skill though, and make sure not to get it biting into and fouling the shoulder

[@yoman2854]

I want to try pressing a handle on though!

[@shanewestphal1557]

This is an old video, but I always expect to modify my handles. I usually modify the taper, deepen the wedge slot, and shape the end to fit more snug. Also, I round off the bottom eye of the tool I am hanging.

[@lewisprice3098]

ok kool but what i wood like to see is you working on the saw's

[@GilesCuckow]

You're brilliant ^^

[@forgedeath]

You're a God damn Animal. Hilarious. Helpful video, other people's videos don't go nearly into the same detail you do when explaining things. Thanks, helped me fit my axe. Subscribed!

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

welcome friend , glad to earn your sub .. be kind

[@elim7228]

I just had to disassemble my new council tool camper axe. It developed a wobble in the handle after some mild use. Sure enough - there's a 90 degree ridge where the handle meets the eye, and the wedge was a piece of crap done by a 10 year old. The wedge was too short, made out of soft wood that fell apart in my hands. Very disappointing for such company. This video is spot on, they should watch it at the Council Tool company. They are going down in their quality it seems.

[@davidwyby]

Funnel/flare/chamfer the inside of the head a bit.

[@FT4Freedom]

Just got to go through em. Yes.

[@jmjorapronobis1328]

Today we begin to be grateful . Thank you Lord

[@Aimsmallmiss]

Beaver tooth handles are great

[@lilerb1313]

HIT THAT ---> 🖒🤝"TOLD YA THAT DIDN'T I?" ...

[@cynthiaherr9029]

Without a doubt Herb Jr., Your'e such a blessing.Truly..

[@lilerb1313]

Cynthia Herr thank you! you as well my friend.

[@sawsurgeon]

Yes Herb, I most believe you have my friend. You any relation to Cletus? There's just something here... I can't seem to put my finger on it though! Be Blessed!

[@milesdamascus9400]

Alright. You've called me friend enough for me to ask for advice haha I've got what seems to he a brilliantly made axe head, but the problem I've run into is the eye shape (I think it's called an ox head eye?) And I'm struggling to find a handle to fit it. And I dunno if Im looking in the wrong place for a good handle, or if I'm better off trying to homemake a handle with my amount of experience (which isn't much) but I wanna pick your brain and get your suggestion if you've ever dealt with this yourself

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

do a video and #buckinexperience it

[@davidtettleton2732]

Thinking of putting an aluminum handle on a maul....internal mushroom the tune after on head

[@larryroberts3926]

Hey buckin👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@freethinker5225]

Love this guy

[@TheStoyanbahchevanov]

Hi, I have a question. I've got cheap hickory handle, and I have a cheap axe head. But the hole of the head is slightly smaller than the shaft. Is it ok to remove 2-3mm of the wood to fit the axe head? Will it weakens the handke is my question??

[@bryanmarks4070]

Hey buckin. Or anyone else. Where is a good source for finding round steel wedges?? Thanks guys.

[@theguy5333]

What happens if the axe eye isn't tight on one side? What should I do? How do I fix it?

[@jamestastic70]

So are you going to break in to song bruce

[@bigd3612]

Definitely gotta get those cheeks on the axe. Great video Buckin

[@adude9279]

Hey Billy how much pound for a double bit hot rod splitter?

[@jbzhitz]

U keep saying how u want to explain something to us about ace eyes. Do u ever explain it?

[@86Raxor]

Hey Billy, how wide/thin should the eye be for a sledgeaxe/maul weighing around 6.6lb? It should be just enough to actually bend when you put the wedge in the eye. If the eye is too thick then there is a risk it won´t expand and tighten when you smash the wedge in (if you manage to get it in in the first place), right?

[@michaelwhiteoldtimer7648]

I am not homeless now but I may be in the future, how much extra room is in the ax shack? Welcome all the Buckin army

[@royevans7793]

Why do you leave some of the handle proud of the axe head at the top?

[@Aimsmallmiss]

Because it’s mushrooms the the wood over the eye leaving it nowhere too go When a axe is cut flush too the eye they are vulnerable too get loose and are generally riddled with nailed and screw’s because it is inside the eye

[@terryw.milburn6414]

I'm Learnin' & Gittin' Smrt'R ! Thanks B.B.R. Welcome all Newby's Hay Blues Hoping every-1's AOK ! Happy Dance Happy Dance ATB Ter God Bless

[@naturundhund]

😎 Cool.....

[@dannysmith9217]

What a whack job 😮😂 Great Job, Great Video 👏

[@dantz34]

Yes Billy it's like erectile disfunction. We don't like to talk about it.

[@susanlushing638]

Like the info but Billy will u lose the “ok friends”stuff and stay a little more on point. I want to see u be a big success but time is of the essence and I want to get the info straight up with out all the little distractions.