How To Use FIRE To Harden and Protect Your WOODEN Tool Handles

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Check out my new favorite knife! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHnYmZ5tpNZkj5Y Use the code HIOG10 to get 10% off your very own Odenwolf knife!: odenwolf.us/r?id=q7ghaa

[@GrimJaw]

Do you have a tip for sanding all the way up to the axe head? That strip that you used the screw driver on is always annoying for me to sand

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

You can wrap the steel wool around the same screw driver and use that, but it is a hard place to get to regardless.

[@GrimJaw]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy ty

[@GrimJaw]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuycould I technically just char an axe with clear coat. Do I really need to sand the coat off?

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@GrimJaw the clear coat burns like plastic and makes a booliling bubbling mess of melted plastic and runs into the pours and grain of the wood.

[@n8hinz1]

“Slimy yet satisfying” is where I hit subscribe. 😂

[@fakefake3660]

Well done, thank you. To add to the list of things people can use that they don't care about if you feel bad using a screwdriver or similar tool, you can hammer a nail flat (and file/grind the end flat if you want) and put it in a pair of vice grips.

[@grahamcairns2249]

Loved the video and the natural you. Not over edited. Informative and fun. Cheers Edit: spelling mistake

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thank you very much!

[@dylanadkins3491]

Scotch brite pad works good for the last step too. Works like a charm. Plus no steel splinters left in the handle. When i charred my handles i applied some oil and wax to soak in while it was hot. Works well.

[@aaronm4706]

I did this to a hickory handle I made for an old 3lb cross peen. The fire etched into the grain of the wood more than yours for some reason, but, gave it a VERY nice texture and grip. Every time I look at that handle, I just want to pick it up.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

I know that feeling well. I pick mine up probably every single day just to hold it

[@pierholtrop5432]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuyare we still talking about the axe or ?

[@5153flash]

I have mildly burned handles to give a good look after stained and sealed,,but never smoked a handle like this.I had to look and see what this was all about and it turned out better than I thought it would from your video anyhow. I am going to try this once on a cheap hatchet handle

[@TheCyberpsyclon]

instant subscribe after "distinctive nutty flavor slimy yet satisfying"lol

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Hah thank you!

[@dragan3290]

Native indigenous people in Australia used to do that to spears. I remember learning about it in school

[@TimberGeek]

Speaking of gloves as a tool to be used, ever think work gloves should be sold in sets of three? Two for the dominant hand and one for the other.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Not a bad idea there.

[@vcommandarv5916]

Turn the glove inside out, it should fit the dominant hand now, this only works for gloves that have the same protection in the inside as the outside, or use it upside down aswell without turning it inside out

[@coreytravislee8359]

It makes it for brittle though... You want your axe handle to flex so the shock wave of the impact can travel through the handle more readily. It sounds counter intuitive. However, the flexibility of the handle also adds a unique feature to the dynamics of the swing. Instead of swinging it like a baseball bat, imagine swing it like a whip. The energy of your swing travels through the flexibility of the handle into the head of the axe, increasing the amount of force when swung into a tree. That’s hickory; you should use sand paper; your axe handle should be thin, not round. Just a little little thicker then the eye

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

It's been several years now, and it still works great. It looks great, and considering it's only a couple of mils deep, it hasn't had any measurable effect on how the handle functions. It's a perfect way to protect the wooden handle.

[@thealchemist5376]

Since the middle of the handle is still full of cellulose, it is plenty flexible enough. Just like case hardening steel... The combination of hardness and flexibility make the tool!

[@dansnowberger8823]

Ever seen Escrima Sticks? The Filippinos burn a spiral around the rattan. Looks like tiger stripes. I believe the idea is to add hardness, but also retain flexibilty, so it isn't so brittle that it breaks. Kinda like how the edge of a Japanese katana is very hard, but the spine very soft steel. The Chinese did this as well with the point and double edges of a longsword, but with two soft bars of steel along the flat on both sides in forging.

[@benchase7537]

I do wonder if charring the wood could lower the MC enough to make it brittle. I know wooden impact weapons are seasoned to around 18=20% to keep the flexibility a little higher. I think handles that are smaller in diameter would lose more flexibility from the charring process.@@thealchemist5376

[@dragan3290]

Mate! I subbed and liked before I watched the vid! Purely because I saw flame painting on wood, treating posts with fire, oil and diesel . I want to do do it lightly just to make my knife handle tougher. I hope I can get it jet black and then put an epoxy resin coating. Top coat over it. A full restoration of A bowie hunting knife I scored over 20 years ago because it had an ugly big chip in the blade. It was throwaway. Thanks heaps! And cheers from Australia 🙂👍👍👍👍

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Awesome! Thank you for watching! Working on a cold steel tomahawk right now, and I have to say it’s looking pretty good!

[@dragan3290]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy oh yeah!!! Ive been wanting a tomahawk to restore but unfortunately in Australia unless imported? Impossible. So I'm stuck with an old Joplin 1970s big vice I scored after 2011 floods. It literally would have been easier to make a vice from scratch. Lol cheers and thanks for the quick reply. You have to post the tomahawk too! I love em.👍👍👍

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Where in Australia do you live? Are tomahawks allowed to be sold there? There are a few cheap ones on Amazon, just look for a shape you like, in some good steel and work out the imperfections!

[@dragan3290]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy I'm in Brisbane, Queensland. I'm sure I can import one. But last time I imported a knife from EBay. It got held up at customs and it took 3 months to get to me. Lol. Same thing happened with my Baofeng uv5r 2 way radios. ( my son was furious). Lol. They are really clamping down on certain items. My mother in law gave me her prized samurai sword which her Sensei gave her when she was back in Scotland. My in laws moved back to Scotland and it wasn't allowed to be taken back! So she gave it to me. Man I treasure that thing. It's at least 40 years old. I can't even import a Kubotan for my keyring. So I borrow my brothers lathe and a bit of solid brass tubing and VOILA! If I could export or sell at the markets? I'd be doing ok.lol . But yeah it's become a little ridiculous with certain items. Cheers 👍

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Crazy. I just ordered a boker otf automatic knife. I needed a edc pocket knife I could open and close with 1 hand. Makes building shelters with string, and cordage much easier! I’ve been using a cheap 12 dollar opinel for years, but just got tired of opening it with my teeth when my hands are full lol! Hopefully they lighten up over there!

[@bontrom8]

came here from that blackening triangle video ... I have a question. I have an axe that got left outside and turned grey. It's not smooth anymore and I fear blackening would burn too much of the wood as it is thinner than when newer. Sad it got left out, as it has a unique handle and can't use a store bought one (antique fireman's axe). Is there a lacquer or something to help restore old handles? Or a different fix( it is still strong but requires too much shimming now)

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Well, that depends on how far gone the handle is. I have a tomahawk that I intentionally left in the bed of my truck for an entire year. When restoring I, I burned just the very smallest amount, just enough to turn it black. It turned out okay, but it didn't remove a bit of the wood because that also requires you to sand off all the old varnish and lacquer. Light sanding and boiled linseed oil is probably your best bet. If there's any cracking or deep pot marks, you can fill them with sawdust and superglue or Sally Hansen's hard as nails. But whatever you do test it on something you don't care about first.

[@bontrom8]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy Thanks! I got it at an antique shop 30+ years ago so it is pretty special. Has a nice protruding arc to the blade (tighter circle) but I had to use a lot of nails and screws to shim it. It will be fun to try to redo that with some sawdust and glue i suppose. I appreciate the reply and advice.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

If you're not opposed to it, record the "before" and "after" and put it on KZbin! Remember to test your potential fixes on a piece of wood that is in the same condition. Even if you have to create the same condition by getting any other handle and leaving it out in the weather. :)

[@philmachineman8927]

Great vid. One Note: when I went to buy linseed oil, a guy older than me was there, and told me.... "Boiled" linseed oil. Gotta be (boiled) I don't remember the reason. But he was a retired woodworker of some kind. So it's gospel, as far as I'm concerned.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thank you for your compliments! Yes boiled is what you want. It will penetrate AND harden. I believe regular linseed oil doesn't behave this way.

[@kellyedington8716]

Actually, i think raw linseed is better, more penetration, just requires more patience... Doesnt try as fast... But soakes deep... Take your time with them... ✌️

[@TheJohnsoline]

Boiled linseed oil dries in a day or two. Regular linseed oil can take weeks. Besides that, there's no difference.

[@TheJohnsoline]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy regular linseed oil behaves this way it just takes a half month to do it

[@rumblebudgie2085]

I just bought a Marbles 20". I'm totally doing this...

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Still using this hatchet!

[@morganflaherty9582]

I happen to have natural lava rock around me and that's what I used to sand it off it worked better than I expected

[@wolfking2281]

What a beautiful handle eh! Chared to perfection ! Subcribed ! Please make more Axe vids.

[@mattlawson2244]

I like to drill a small hole in the plastic lid of my lin seed oil those child proof lids get me every time. So I’ll drill a hole in the lid and presto…. Thanks for the video

[@novashnova1232]

Just found this video, honestly this was amazing to watch! Love ur humor by the way!

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thank you =)

[@ethon6088]

I have that axe and I love it, it's called the marbles out doors axe or at least that's the one I have but the brand is awsome Also burned my handle but I didn't char it and it looks awsome. I highly suggest the axe it's very good and cheap it cost about 50 dollars on Amazon and it comes with a sheath and its hand forged and the handle is very good

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thank you!

[@roycebunce9373]

Is there any reason to use steel wool instead of sandpaper?

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Matches the contours of the wood better without leaving the scratches that sandpaper will leave. Its also a bit cheaper.

[@buckwild6587]

Any update video?

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

yep working on it =)

[@metroplexchl]

We always just used a wire bristle brush to get the charred surface off. Nice job though.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thank you!

[@Angry_Bob]

Not sure if you mentioned to not use a rag of any kind when working with boiled linseed oil or not. Just a disclaimer do not do that because the rag can combust by itself.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

its not as easy to get to happen. Paper towels do it much easier, if the rag is cotton it might go up more readily. I intentionally tried to get a rag to combust just a few months ago. It just got hard and crusty. It was a microfiber rag though and I think those are polyester, or poly something.

[@lancemillward1912]

Oil with tung oil and the black won't come off anymore

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

The black only comes off when it gets damaged enough to gouge the wood. Which almost never happens now. If one does not wish to burn the wood one can also crush charcoal into fine powder and mix it into tung oil or boiled linseed and apply that to a sanded bare wood handle. Both methods look great!

[@dmdunn]

Why not just use sandpaper instead of steel wool and avoid the little steel bits?

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Steel wool conforms to the shape of the handle better and works longer without getting clogged with char

[@AH-nz3bq]

Maybe the ridiculousness of the cap safety was from all the recent publicity of stored linseed oil rags spontaneously combusting

[@aliciapearson3775]

I had never heard of this.... How scary!

[@AH-nz3bq]

Alicia Pearson No risk with how it was used in this video, but the linseed oil dries through oxidation (vs evaporation). So in the right conditions (like a pile of rags) it can smoulder and ignite. It's pretty crazy!

[@aliciapearson3775]

well it's a good thing he had a second thought before he brought that into my kitchen! I'd be so mad!

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

That is awesome! I just found a new way to make fire :-)

[@aliciapearson3775]

Half Insane Outdoor guy no way!

[@silenthealer]

5:32 "It's warm" - No sh*t bro

[@fazanhamrock3973]

I started with Woodglut plans.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

I wonder if there's a way for you to make your camera stay on the same manual focus for a scene

[@SpongeAndLeo]

There is, just annoying to adjust when you want to show something up close.

[@SpongeAndLeo]

There is, just annoying to adjust when you want to show something up close.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

There is, just annoying to adjust when you want to show something up close.

[@SasquatchBunyan]

You burn yours a lot more than I do. I’m curious what the sweet spot is for functional hardening from burning. I know the look is a preference. Anyway, thanks for your video. I learned another approach. Love taking care of our tools!

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thank you, let me know if you find out!

[@SasquatchBunyan]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy I do mine about half as much as yours and they seem to work well. The way I do it the wood is just less charred. I think it’s just preference.

[@humblemaster1]

Can coconut be used instead of linseed oil

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

It shouldn't be used, Coconut oil doesn't dry like linseed oil. Over time it also can rot causing a foul smell.

[@humblemaster1]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy what about castor oil sir

[@humblemaster1]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy and also how can I make a strong cricket bat out of weak wood. Or add strong layer on it so it doesn't break easily

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@@humblemaster1 it will have a limited effect on already weak or soft wood. Their makeup is different. It works best with cedar woods, and good with hickory, and oaks, cherry, and some maples (box elder maple isn't that great from what I've seen), not good with pines though, or aspens, or willows, It might be good on birch though. we dont have many if any here in Utah so I dont know, What kind of bat do you have?

[@humblemaster1]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy Thankyou for that sir, I am ur new subscriber

[@ozcampnhuntdan7858]

Bloody beautiful !

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thanks mate! One of my favorite tools for sure!

[@thealchemist5376]

8:01 No, it's steel, not iron.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Details, shmetails! You are correct though...really crappy steel!

[@williamkeil8414]

Outstanding video, that axe will last a very long time, good job.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Its still my go to chopping tool. Not even tempted to spend 150 bucks on a gransfors bruks, or equiv priced hatchet.

[@sjonit1]

Some people here comparing spear head to axe handle. A spear is different from an axe handle. A strengthened point pierces better yes, but an axe handle is best when it absorbs the energy. It should be able to flex to do this. Charring it reduces this ability. Also that the area beneath the head is not heat treated causing a localised stress point where the entire energy transfer takes place on the boundary between the treated wood and untreated wood. Not good.

[@bryanhumphreys940]

Whenever something doesn't make sense: blame lawyers. Period.

[@humblemaster1]

Burning should make it weak but you say it becomes strong how

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

burning the wood, using a process called Shou Sugi Ban, is a process that is typically best used on cedar, but with most hardwoods it has an affect on the wood that makes it harder and more resistant. I'm not 100% sure why, or how, I did explain what I know in the video though.

[@humblemaster1]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy hmm ok sir

[@TaylorTheOtter]

@@humblemaster1 I got curious and did some quick research. The only reason I could find as to why it would harden is because of removing moisture from the wood (though I think there's more reasons that I didn't find). Depending on the wood, it might also melt the pores shut by melting the internal resins. What it definitely does do is preserve the wood because you burn it until only carbon remains and pure carbon is inert. This protective layer prevents rot, fire damage, water damage, weather damage, etc as long as the outer layer isn't penetrated. Also because the wood inside the handle isn't affected by the treatment, the flexibility of the handle remains so it doesn't get weak because of that. That's how far I got with a 5 minute google search, hope you found it as interesting as I did.

[@humblemaster1]

@@TaylorTheOtter 😊👍🙏

[@rickbeckett6138]

Interesting technique. Thanks for sharing. I'd give that a go myself one day. Not keen at all on your choice of music though, it really made me cringe And your wife is still gonna kill you for using the gloves she make you wear to wash the dishes 🤣😂🤣

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Yeah, my taste in music has shifted a bit. Back then EDM was popping up all over youtube, especially in the video editing world.

[@robertcornelius3514]

Hmmmm. Not sure if you did that procedure right. I believe the handle should have been uniformly heated at once, like thrown in to hot ashes for a minute then turned over for another minute. I believe you let the wood get too scorched. Dunno

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

I am not sure if I did it right either. Black Smith KZbinrs like Alec Steele, and Builders like my self reliance, have both done similar things. I looked up the practice in Japan where it originates in did it is nearly as I could to that without having a larger heating source. The next one I did similarly the third one will be over campfire. But if you quickly heat the wood that can warp and crack it. If the wood grain is bad.

[@morganflaherty9582]

PS I used a metal file to flatten and even out the lava rock

[@matthewnielson7023]

atta boy!

[@ScentitarFragrance]

I just use a heat gun and boiled linsead oil

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

That will probably produce more consistent results.

[@TheBHoky]

Man has been fire hardening wood for thousands years. It works great.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

That is true, i am slightly surprised by all the comments that are saying that I'm wrong. My methods are likely off, but the hatchet is still in perfect condition, without much up keep!

[@lukasking2573]

Nice. That is not a hardening process, as some people assume here , it is just for esthetic reasons. Actually it weakens the wood a bit.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Shou sugi ban, or Yakisugi. It also water proofs the wood.

[@christianhernandez7740]

Except...it does harden it. Can be more brittle. But definitely harder. Used to make fishing spears as a kid and would fire harden the tips. If you didn't they would fray and lose the point on them.

[@lukasking2573]

@@christianhernandez7740 brittle wood is great for axe handels. Lol

[@wangchung_8541]

@@lukasking2573 you really have no idea what your talking about do you

[@lukasking2573]

@@wangchung_8541 lol. Ok keep dreaming on

[@VoteThirdPartyorFourth]

... Why not just use a magnet to remove the dust? seems faster than a brush.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

That's actually a brilliant idea. I'm going to go try and see if it'll work with the steel wool I have. The only problem I see with it is the magnet would have to be powerful enough to pull the steel will out of the wood because some of it will be somewhat embedded into the wood.

[@VoteThirdPartyorFourth]

@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy Do Harbor Freight stores exist where you live? They've got cheap strong magnets. Or you could do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6qYlp56brd7Z7M

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Yes they do.

[@SpongeAndLeo]

Oak wood. :D

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

grain was different then oak

[@SpongeAndLeo]

Have to see it in person, looks like oak on video, though.

[@KLP99]

Joshua Keith Pearson It's not oak. It's hickory. That's what good tool handles are made from.

[@pleappleappleap]

You're overdoing it.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Meh, if I am its only half way. But it turned out exactly the way the Japanese do it, in fact Its less burnt than they did it.

[@alexhunter672]

Of course what you're doing is damaging it. Well done.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Thank you, I guess.

[@jammyjimson-jones1118]

You have ruined what would be a great video with terrible music

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Sorry you feel that way. What music would you pick?

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@Eric Bryant hah. hard to take music seriously when it comes from a pack of guys with women's makeup on 1 eye and who walk with their underwear on the outside of their painters jumpers and 1970s jungle combat boots.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@Eric Bryant son....kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZO3gYedib9neNk I know the band. Start over for ladies makup on 1 eye. Also tell your parents they spelled your name wrong. =)

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@Eric Bryant hah I know i am being sarcastic. Issue is, I use the music I do for a couple reason.....well 1. I liked it at the time I made the video and it matched my mood during editing. I try to use music now that matches the mood of the video more now...still learning. Also by name, My name is also Eric, except spelled Erik. ;-) Life is too short to be serious all the time.

[@jeffreyhobbs1788]

What's a bit much is blaming the hippies

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

?